Senior Design Manager - Tier 1 Main Contractor

Location: Southampton / Hampshire / South Coast

Salary: £80,000 - £95,000 + Car Allowance + Benefits

Employment Type: Permanent

The Opportunity

3D Personnel are recruiting on behalf of a leading Tier 1 main contractor for an experienced Senior Design Manager to join their established regional construction team.

Our client delivers high-quality construction projects across the South Coast, working on major schemes within the defence, education, healthcare, commercial and public sectors.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced design management professional to take responsibility for the design process across complex construction projects, working closely with pre-construction, commercial and operational teams from tender stage through to project completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design process from pre-construction and tender stage through to construction and handover.

• Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, consultants and specialist subcontractors to ensure fully integrated design solutions.

• Develop and manage design programmes, deliverables and information release schedules in line with construction requirements.

• Oversee design development through the relevant RIBA stages, ensuring compliance with client specifications, statutory regulations and project objectives.

• Work closely with commercial, planning and operational teams to identify design risks, improve buildability and deliver value engineering opportunities.

• Chair design coordination meetings, technical reviews and workshops, ensuring design information is produced accurately and on programme.

• Manage design changes, technical queries and consultant performance, ensuring appropriate control of programme, cost and quality.

• Support the development of junior Design Managers and promote consistent design management standards across the business.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager or experienced Design Manager within a Tier 1 or established main contractor.

• Strong understanding of the full design and construction process, including traditional and Design & Build procurement.

• Experience managing design on major construction projects, ideally within defence, education, healthcare, commercial or public-sector developments.

• Excellent technical knowledge of construction methods, Building Regulations, CDM requirements and design coordination.

• Experience managing external consultants and multidisciplinary design teams.

• Strong working knowledge of BIM, digital information management and design programme coordination.

• Relevant construction, architectural or engineering qualification, ideally supported by CIOB, RIBA or a similar professional membership.

• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills.

What's on Offer?

• Opportunity to join an established Tier 1 contractor with a strong regional presence.

• Involvement in high-profile and technically challenging construction projects.

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

• Long-term career progression within an established construction business.

• Supportive working environment with opportunities for professional development.

Apply

For further information or a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact 3D Personnel or apply with your latest CV.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.