Job Title: Senior Design Manager
Location: Birmingham
Salary: £85k basic plus package
We are seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to join a major healthcare project, overseeing a £200m+ scheme. Reporting to the Principal Design Manager, you will focus initially on civil and structural work packages, progressing from RIBA Stage 3 design onwards. The role may expand to include wider design responsibilities as the project advances.
Key Responsibilities:
Manage and deliver design information in line with agreed programmes and schedules.
Ensure appointed design consultants fulfil their duties, monitoring compliance with standards and brief.
Provide design input during preconstruction and construction stages.
Produce and manage design programmes, scopes, responsibility matrices, appointments, and schedules.
Chair and attend meetings and workshops with internal and external stakeholders.
Tender Stage (Pre-Contract):
Review Tender Information, assess compliance, coordination, affordability, and buildability.
Develop strategy for remaining design work and engage with supplementary Design Team members.
Prepare Tender Stage Design Programme, Design Deliverables, and Procurement Schedules.
Establish Common Data Environment (CDE), draft Design Management Plan (DMP) and BIM Execution Plan (BEP).
Develop technically robust solutions, close out design interfaces, and assess specialist subcontractor returns.
Chair design workshops, manage design clarifications, and approve proposals included in the tender.
Project Stage (Post-Contract):
Formally appoint and brief the Design Team on obligations and duties.
Agree specialist subcontractor procurement strategy.
Produce and monitor Project Stage Design Programme, Deliverables, and Installation/Commissioning Schedule.
Establish project-specific CDE, DMP, and BEP, and monitor compliance.
Manage submission and approval of all design documentation; progress Planning and Building Regulation approvals.
Chair design workshops, review TQs, monitor design quality, and approve designers’ Applications for Payment.
Manage change control, design risk assessments, and post-contract design performance reviews.
Compile As-Built records, O&M Manuals, Health & Safety File, and Post-Construction BREEAM certification.
Manage off-site and on-site design processes from RIBA Stage 2–5 in accordance with Design Management procedures.
Candidate Requirements:
8+ years as a Design Manager for a Tier 1 contractor in the UK.
Degree in a construction-related subject.
Chartered professional (MCIOB, MICE, or equivalent).
Experience in mid-large-scale schemes.
Proven experience delivering civils, substructure, superstructure, and façade design packages (including unitised/off-site solutions).
Skills & Attributes:
Strong organisational, planning, and workload management skills.
Ability to develop and maintain design programmes and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
Experience across multiple sectors (Healthcare, Commercial, Public) beneficial.
Additional Information:
Flexible working arrangements available to support work-life balance.
Reasonable adjustments can be made during the application process.
Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and fair treatment in the workplace.