CareerAddict

Senior Design Manager

CV-Library

Posted on Jun 2, 2026 by CV-Library
Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Construction
Immediate Start
Annual Salary
Full-Time
Role: Senior Design Manager – Main Contractor

Location: Hertfordshire

Sector Focus: Defence, Life Sciences, Industrial

Type: Full-Time / Permanent

The Company

A leading main contractor delivering complex, high-value projects across the UK is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to join its Hertfordshire team. The business has a strong pipeline of technically challenging schemes within the defence, life sciences and industrial sectors, working with both public and private sector clients in highly regulated environments.

The Role

The Senior Design Manager will lead and coordinate the design process from pre-construction through to project completion, ensuring technical excellence, programme certainty and compliance across multiple projects. You will work closely with clients, consultants, subcontractors and operational teams to drive successful project outcomes while managing risk, quality and buildability.

This is a key leadership position within the business, suited to someone with strong main contracting experience and a proven ability to manage multidisciplinary design teams on complex construction projects.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design management function on major projects from tender through delivery.

Manage and coordinate external consultants, architects and specialist subcontractor design teams.

Ensure design programmes align with procurement and construction activities.

Review and manage design deliverables to ensure compliance with client requirements, statutory regulations and technical standards.

Identify and mitigate design-related risks and drive value engineering opportunities.

Chair design team meetings and maintain clear communication with all stakeholders.

Support bid and pre-construction teams with technical input and design strategy.

Work collaboratively with project delivery teams to ensure buildability and efficient project execution.

Ensure projects meet sector-specific requirements, particularly within regulated environments such as defence and life sciences.

Mentor and support junior design management staff where required.

Requirements

Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager or Design Manager within a UK main contractor environment.

Strong background delivering complex construction projects within defence, life sciences, industrial, pharmaceutical, manufacturing or similarly regulated sectors.

Excellent understanding of construction methodologies, design coordination and technical compliance.

Experience managing multidisciplinary consultant teams and subcontractor design packages.

Strong knowledge of UK building regulations, planning processes and construction standards.

Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and drive programme performance.

Excellent communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.

Relevant construction qualification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline.

Security clearance eligibility may be required for defence-related projects.

What’s on Offer

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Opportunity to work on landmark, technically complex projects.

Long-term career progression within a growing business.

Collaborative and forward-thinking working environment.

Exposure to high-profile clients and innovative construction solutions

Reference: 225191837

https://jobs.careeraddict.com/post/113341463
CV-Library

Senior Design Manager

CV-Library

Posted on Jun 2, 2026 by CV-Library

Print
Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Construction
Immediate Start
Annual Salary
Full-Time
Role: Senior Design Manager – Main Contractor

Location: Hertfordshire

Sector Focus: Defence, Life Sciences, Industrial

Type: Full-Time / Permanent

The Company

A leading main contractor delivering complex, high-value projects across the UK is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to join its Hertfordshire team. The business has a strong pipeline of technically challenging schemes within the defence, life sciences and industrial sectors, working with both public and private sector clients in highly regulated environments.

The Role

The Senior Design Manager will lead and coordinate the design process from pre-construction through to project completion, ensuring technical excellence, programme certainty and compliance across multiple projects. You will work closely with clients, consultants, subcontractors and operational teams to drive successful project outcomes while managing risk, quality and buildability.

This is a key leadership position within the business, suited to someone with strong main contracting experience and a proven ability to manage multidisciplinary design teams on complex construction projects.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design management function on major projects from tender through delivery.

Manage and coordinate external consultants, architects and specialist subcontractor design teams.

Ensure design programmes align with procurement and construction activities.

Review and manage design deliverables to ensure compliance with client requirements, statutory regulations and technical standards.

Identify and mitigate design-related risks and drive value engineering opportunities.

Chair design team meetings and maintain clear communication with all stakeholders.

Support bid and pre-construction teams with technical input and design strategy.

Work collaboratively with project delivery teams to ensure buildability and efficient project execution.

Ensure projects meet sector-specific requirements, particularly within regulated environments such as defence and life sciences.

Mentor and support junior design management staff where required.

Requirements

Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager or Design Manager within a UK main contractor environment.

Strong background delivering complex construction projects within defence, life sciences, industrial, pharmaceutical, manufacturing or similarly regulated sectors.

Excellent understanding of construction methodologies, design coordination and technical compliance.

Experience managing multidisciplinary consultant teams and subcontractor design packages.

Strong knowledge of UK building regulations, planning processes and construction standards.

Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and drive programme performance.

Excellent communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.

Relevant construction qualification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline.

Security clearance eligibility may be required for defence-related projects.

What’s on Offer

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Opportunity to work on landmark, technically complex projects.

Long-term career progression within a growing business.

Collaborative and forward-thinking working environment.

Exposure to high-profile clients and innovative construction solutions
Print

Reference: 225191837

Share this job:
CareerAddict

Alert me to jobs like this:

Amplify your job search:

CV/résumé help

Increase interview chances with our downloads and specialist services.

CV Help

Expert career advice

Increase interview chances with our downloads and specialist services.

Visit Blog

Job compatibility

Increase interview chances with our downloads and specialist services.

Start Test

Similar Jobs

Senior Design Manager

Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

Senior Design Manager

Radlett, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

Design Manager / Senior Design Manager

Horsham, West Sussex, United Kingdom

Design Manager / Senior Design Manager

Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom