Senior Design Manager

Senior Design Manager – Construction West

Location: North West 

Our Wates Construction West business is seeking a Senior Design Manager to join our team, delivering complex, high‑value projects across a range of sectors including Education, Custodial, Blue Light and Defence.

This role is ideal for an experienced design professional who thrives in collaborative environments, brings strong technical leadership, and is motivated to drive quality, buildability and value throughout the design and delivery process.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate design activity across projects, identifying and mitigating risk while improving buildability and value
• Develop and manage the design programme and Information Delivery  Plan (IDP) in line with procurement and construction requirements
• Work closely with project, commercial and operational teams to ensure design solutions are coordinated, compliant and cost‑effective
• Engage with consultants and lead designers to ensure designs align with the brief, budget and programme
• Support technical reviews, design workshops and value engineering activities
• Reporting against design progress and monitoring consultant performance

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager within a Tier 1 main contractor
• Extensive experience in both pre-construction and delivery
• Strong technical and multidisciplinary design coordination skills
• Experience delivering regionally based construction projects £50m+ in value
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence and challenge constructively
• High level of Digital Literacy
• Knowledge of consultant appointments

What We Offer

Competitive salary and Bonus program 

Car allowance or company car 

Travel covered to site (HMRC advisory rates)

Private medical, 8% employer pension, wellbeing support

26 days' holiday + bank holidays

Industry‑leading family leave and structured career development