Job Description:

🏗 Senior Design Manager

Location: Bristol / Wiltshire Corridor
Sector: Defence Construction
Salary: £70,000 - £80,000 + Package

The Opportunity

A fantastic opportunity for an experienced Senior Design Manager to join a growing specialist contractor delivering technically complex projects across the defence sector.

This role offers the chance to lead design delivery across a diverse portfolio of secure and highly regulated projects, working closely with operational, commercial and pre-construction teams to ensure successful project outcomes from concept through to completion.

With a strong pipeline of secured work and continued growth plans, this is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious design professional looking to progress their career within a specialist construction environment.

Role Overview

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the design management process from pre-construction through to project completion.
• Managing consultant and subcontractor design teams.
• Coordinating design deliverables with programme and procurement requirements.
• Managing design risk, compliance and change control.
• Supporting value engineering and buildability reviews.
• Reviewing technical submissions and design information.
• Ensuring compliance with client requirements, statutory obligations and project specifications.
• Supporting bid submissions and pre-construction activities.
• Working closely with operational, commercial and project delivery teams.
• Mentoring and supporting junior members of the design team.

About You

• Experience as a Senior Design Manager or Design Manager within a contractor environment.
• Strong understanding of Design & Build project delivery.
• Experience working on complex construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of technical coordination, programme management and compliance.
• Experience managing external consultants and design teams.
• Commercially aware with strong stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership ability.
• Defence, industrial, infrastructure or highly regulated sector experience preferred.

Company Profile

You'll be joining a growing specialist contractor delivering technically challenging projects across secure and highly regulated sectors. The business has established long-term client relationships, a strong order book and an excellent reputation for delivering complex schemes nationwide.

What’s in it for you?

• 💰 £70,000 - £80,000 + package
• 🏗 Complex defence and secure environment projects
• 🏠 Hybrid working flexibility
• 📈 Strong progression opportunities
• 🤝 Collaborative and experienced leadership team
• 🌴 Holiday and benefits package

About Walker & Sloan

Walker & Sloan are a BCorp certified recruitment business specialising in construction and the built environment. I, Jack Houghton, work closely with contractors, developers and consultancies across the UK and handle all applications with complete confidentiality.