Senior Design Manager
Job Title: Senior Design Manager
Location: National (UK-wide travel required)
Salary: £70,000 – £75,000 + Benefits
Employer: Tier 1 Main Contractor
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to lead design delivery across major high-rise, multi-room residential and mixed-use developments for a Tier 1 main contractor. This role will oversee pre-construction and delivery-stage design management for large-scale apartment schemes, ensuring technical excellence, programme certainty, and seamless coordination from concept through to handover.
The position is nationally based, with travel to project sites and regional offices as required.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the design management function on complex high-rise multi-room apartment projects, from tender stage through to completion.
Manage and coordinate multi-disciplinary design teams, including architects, structural engineers, MEP consultants, and specialist subcontractors.
Drive design solutions that meet client expectations, statutory requirements, buildability standards, and commercial targets.
Lead design risk management and ensure mitigation measures are implemented.
Oversee the production, review, and approval of design information in line with project programmes and key milestones.
Chair design team meetings, workshops, and coordination reviews.
Ensure BIM requirements and digital design processes are adhered to across all stages.
Support tender submissions, helping to shape winning technical proposals.
Liaise directly with clients, local authorities, and regulatory bodies to ensure the smooth progression of design approvals.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to Design Managers and Assistants within the business.
Skills & Experience Required
Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager or strong Design Manager ready to step up, with a track record on large high-rise or multi-room (PRS, build-to-rent, student accommodation, hotels) projects.
Experience working for a Tier 1 or major main contractor is highly desirable.
Strong understanding of modern methods of construction, façade design, MEP integration, and high-rise building regulations.
Excellent coordination, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects nationally, with flexibility to travel.
Strong commercial awareness and understanding of buildability and construction sequencing.
BIM knowledge (including ISO 19650 processes) preferred.
What's on Offer
£70,000 – £75,000 base salary
Company car/allowance (depending on employer policy)
Pension, healthcare, and other benefits
Opportunities for progression within a leading Tier 1 contractor
Involvement in major flagship projects across the UK