Design Manager
Design Manager – Leeds Design Office
Are you a strategic leader with a background in project or design management?
We’re looking for an experienced Design Manager to lead and manage our Leeds Design Office, ensuring delivery of safe, compliant, and cost-effective design outputs across a range of high-profile infrastructure projects.
The Role:
As Design Manager, you’ll oversee all operations of the Leeds Design Office. This includes managing internal and external design resources, setting procedures and processes, and ensuring all design deliverables meet project timelines, budgets, and safety standards. While a technical understanding of design is important, you are not expected to produce drawings or calculations yourself.
You will work closely with project delivery teams, temporary works specialists, external consultants, and clients to coordinate the complete design process.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Design Office Operations
Lead and manage design delivery for temporary and permanent works across UK and international teams (Beirut & Bahrain).
Manage internal resources and supply chain partners.
Oversee day-to-day office operations, resource planning, and recruitment needs.
Maintain design management procedures aligned with business standards.
Lead on design programme management, document control, and reporting.
2. Project Delivery & Governance
Lead design clarification/kick-off meetings and define design scope.
Coordinate internal teams and external consultants to produce integrated design solutions.
Oversee design reviews (IDC/IDR), technical audits, and design registers.
3. Quality, Safety & Compliance
Ensure all designs meet contractual and statutory requirements.
Support CDM 2015 compliance and embed a “right first time” culture.
Oversee handover information and O&M contributions.
4. Commercial & Programme Control
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Manage design budgets, forecasts, and sub-consultant costs.
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Track progress against the programme and escalate risks early.
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Support bid teams during the work-winning process.
5. Leadership & Culture
Line manage a multidisciplinary design team: coaching, development, performance reviews.
Promote a collaborative and innovative culture.
Set and monitor KPIs and drive continuous improvement.
6. Digital Engineering & BIM
Promote model-based coordination (2D/3D/4D) and BIM standards.
Ensure compliance with AIR/EIR and metadata/naming conventions.
Key Performance Indicators:
On-time design delivery and approvals
Efficient use of internal and external design resources
Query resolution turnaround time
Design-related rework and non-conformances
Budget and earned value performance
CDM compliance and risk mitigation
Client satisfaction and handover quality
Essential:
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Strong background in project or design management within civil engineering/infrastructure.
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Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary teams across multiple projects.
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Confident in reviewing and challenging design output (no need to produce drawings).
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Commercially and programmatically aware, including NEC contracts and change control.
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Familiar with CDEs (e.g., ProjectWise, Aconex), MS Project/Primavera, and 365 tools.
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Working knowledge of CDM 2015 and design risk management.
Desirable:
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Degree/HNC/HND in Civil/Structural Engineering or Construction Management.
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Chartered or Incorporated status (e.g., ICE, IStructE, APM) or working towards.
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Experience in temporary works and supply chain design management.
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Familiarity with BIM processes and digital engineering standards.
Ready to lead design delivery on some of the UK’s most exciting civil engineering projects?
Apply now with your CV and one of our team will be in touch