Job Description:

Senior Design Manager - Major Construction Project

Location: Greater Manchester
Salary: £80k - £85k + Comprehensive Package

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Design Manager to join a leading Tier 1 main contractor on a flagship £400m construction project in the North West.

This high-profile development will run for approximately four years and offers the chance to take a leading role in the management and delivery of a complex, large-scale scheme from pre-construction through to completion. Working alongside senior operational and commercial teams, you will provide strategic leadership across all design activities, ensuring successful project delivery while maintaining the highest standards of quality, compliance, and programme performance.

The Role

As Senior Design Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the entire design management function on the project, leading consultant teams and coordinating key stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the design management strategy across all project stages.
• Managing and mentoring Design Managers and wider design teams.
• Driving design programme performance and ensuring timely delivery of information.
• Coordinating consultants, specialist subcontractors, client representatives, and statutory authorities.
• Reviewing designs for buildability, compliance, risk mitigation, and value engineering opportunities.
• Managing design-related risks and resolving technical challenges.
• Supporting procurement and construction teams through effective design coordination.
• Chairing senior design meetings and reporting progress to project leadership teams.
• Ensuring all design outputs align with contractual obligations, project objectives, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager or Design Manager delivering major construction projects for a Tier 1 or leading main contractor.
• Strong track record of managing complex, multi-disciplinary design teams.
• Experience working on large-scale projects exceeding £100m in value.
• Excellent understanding of construction methodologies, procurement routes, and design management processes.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Ability to influence decision-making and drive project outcomes within challenging environments.
• Relevant construction, engineering, or architectural qualification.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to lead the design function on one of the region's most significant construction projects.
• Long-term project security with a four-year programme.
• Competitive salary, bonus, car allowance, and benefits package.
• Genuine career progression within a market-leading contractor.
• Exposure to a landmark project that will leave a lasting legacy.

If you are interested in this position and would like to apply, please email a copy of your CV to Sean at Fawkes & Reece, using the contact details provided or you can give my mobile a call for further details on (phone number removed)