Job Description:

Senior Design Manager

Location: Bristol, South West England
Salary: £85,000–£95,000 per annum + attractive benefits package
Sector: Construction | Data Centres | Defence | Energy
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Security Clearance: SC clearance required, or willingness and eligibility to obtain it

Senior Design Manager – Major Construction Projects

Salary up to £95,000 + package | Bristol | Data Centre & Defence Projects

Are you an experienced Senior Design Manager looking to take the lead on complex, high-value construction projects within the data centre, defence and critical infrastructure sectors?

We are seeking a talented Senior Design Manager to join an established construction and engineering contractor delivering specialist projects across the South West. Based in the Bristol area, this is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of major construction, refurbishment and infrastructure schemes where technical excellence, design coordination and commercial performance are essential.

With a growing portfolio of projects, including major data centre developments, critical infrastructure upgrades and strategic defence schemes, this role offers the opportunity to influence design strategy, lead multidisciplinary teams and make a significant contribution to project success.

The opportunity

You will take ownership of design management across major and complex construction projects, providing strategic leadership from early-stage design and pre-construction through to construction, commissioning and handover.

Working closely with clients, consultants, project directors, commercial teams and construction delivery teams, you will ensure that design solutions are technically robust, commercially viable, compliant and aligned with project programmes.

This is a senior leadership position for someone who can combine strong technical knowledge with commercial awareness, effective stakeholder management and the ability to develop high-performing design teams.

Key Responsibilities

Design Management & Leadership

Lead and manage the design process across major construction projects, ensuring effective coordination from concept and pre-construction through to completion.

Develop and implement project-specific design management strategies aligned with programme, budget, quality and client requirements.

Establish robust design governance, reporting procedures and performance controls.

Provide design leadership, technical assurance and strategic advice to project leadership teams.

Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, including architectural, structural, civil, building services and specialist engineering consultants.

Design Delivery & Programme Management

Manage design deliverables, information release schedules, approvals and design interfaces to support procurement and construction activities.

Ensure design information is coordinated, accurate and issued in line with project requirements.

Monitor design progress against the programme, identifying risks, constraints and opportunities for improvement.

Work collaboratively with procurement and construction teams to ensure design solutions are practical, buildable and aligned with sequencing and commissioning requirements.

Manage design reviews, technical submissions, client approvals and change control throughout the project lifecycle.

Technical Assurance, Compliance & Risk

Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, statutory regulations, technical standards and client specifications.

Oversee design reviews, validation processes and technical assurance activities.

Identify, assess and manage design risks, interfaces and technical challenges.

Promote safe design principles, buildability, quality and technical excellence.

Ensure design decisions support the safe, efficient and successful delivery of complex construction projects.

Commercial Management & Value Engineering

Drive value engineering and design optimisation initiatives to improve project value without compromising quality or performance.

Assess the cost, programme and delivery implications of design changes.

Support commercial teams in managing design-related risks, variations and contractual obligations.

Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste and enhance project outcomes.

Contribute to the achievement of project cost, quality and programme targets.

Client & Stakeholder Management

Act as a senior point of contact for clients, consultants, specialist subcontractors and internal project teams on design matters.

Lead design workshops, technical meetings, coordination reviews and approval processes.

Build effective working relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and timely decision-making.

Resolve design issues and interfaces proactively to maintain progress and protect project objectives.

Team Leadership & Continuous Improvement

Lead, mentor and develop Design Managers and Assistant Design Managers.

Establish consistent design management standards, processes and best practice.

Promote collaboration, accountability and continuous professional development.

Drive improvements in design management systems, reporting and digital design coordination.

Capture lessons learned and promote innovation across the design and construction process.

About You – Senior Design Manager Requirements

To be successful in this role, you will have significant experience in design management within a main contractor, construction contractor or complex project delivery environment.

You will be confident leading multidisciplinary teams, managing demanding design programmes and balancing technical, commercial and operational priorities.

Essential experience and skills:

Significant experience as a Senior Design Manager, Design Manager or in a comparable senior design leadership role within construction.

Proven experience managing design delivery across major, complex or high-value construction projects.

Strong experience coordinating multidisciplinary design consultants, engineers and specialist contractors.

A thorough understanding of design management processes, construction methodologies and buildability.

Knowledge of contractual requirements, building regulations, statutory compliance and technical assurance.

Experience managing design programmes, risk registers, design changes and stakeholder approvals.

A track record of delivering value engineering, cost optimisation and design efficiency improvements.

Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of the relationship between design, procurement and construction delivery.

Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.

The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a demanding project environment.

Qualifications:

Degree-qualified in a relevant construction, engineering or design discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

Relevant professional qualification or membership, such as RIBA, CIOB, ICE or equivalent.

Chartered status would be advantageous.

Valid CSCS card.

Security clearance: Due to the nature of the projects, candidates must hold current Security Check (SC) clearance or be eligible, able and willing to obtain the required clearance.

Experience within data centres, defence, secure facilities, energy, critical infrastructure or other highly regulated construction environments would be particularly advantageous.

Projects & Career Opportunity

You will be joining a growing project delivery team with a strong pipeline of specialist construction work in the Bristol and wider South West region.

The portfolio includes:

Major data centre development: Stage 4 design and enabling works for an £80 million, multi-stage data centre development in Corsham, Wiltshire.

Data centre expansion: Upgrade and expansion works at an existing data centre in the Bristol area.

Strategic defence projects: A range of new-build and refurbishment schemes requiring robust technical coordination, quality assurance and security awareness.

The data centre development is scheduled for enabling works in Q4 2026, with the main construction works anticipated to commence in Q2 2027.

These projects offer the opportunity to contribute to technically demanding, strategically important facilities where quality, reliability, security and delivery performance are paramount.

Salary & Benefits Package

The successful candidate will receive a competitive remuneration package, including:

Salary of £85,000–£95,000 per annum, depending on experience.

Car allowance for eligible roles.

Competitive company pension scheme.

Private Bupa healthcare and healthcare cash plan.

Electric vehicle scheme.

Cycle to Work scheme.

Eyecare vouchers.

25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.

An additional day off for your birthday.

You will also have the opportunity to contribute to a growing portfolio of complex projects, work alongside experienced construction and engineering professionals, and develop your career within a specialist project delivery environment.