Senior Design Manager

Balfour; Warrington; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction management firm in Warrington is looking for a Senior Design Manager to lead and innovate across large-scale projects. You will manage the design process, mentor teams, and work collaboratively with clients to achieve technically robust solutions. Ideal candidates will have a strong design management background in construction, excellent communication skills, and the ability to handle complex challenges. Flexible working options and comprehensive benefits are provided.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

25 days paid annual leave

Family friendly policies

Pension and share incentive plan

Volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Strong track record of design management in the construction sector.
• Deep technical understanding of construction methods and compliance frameworks.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design process on major projects.
• Act as the technical authority, mentoring Design Managers.
• Collaborate with clients to balance innovation, cost, and programme requirements.

Skills

Design management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Job description

About The Role

Are you a proven design leader with a passion for delivering technically challenging projects?

We are seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to join our team and drive design excellence across a portfolio of large-scale complex developments.

As Senior Design Manager, you will take a pivotal role in strengthening the technical capability of our design function. Working closely with Project Directors, Consultants and Contractors, you will provide leadership and oversight through every stage of the design and delivery process. Your ability to bring clarity to complex challenges will ensure we achieve innovative, buildable and commercially sound solutions.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and manage the design process on major projects, ensuring designs are co‑ordinated, compliant, and technically robust.
• Act as the technical authority within the team, mentoring Design Managers and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Oversee the integration of architectural, structural and MEP disciplines to deliver fully co‑ordinated design packages.
• Collaborate with clients, consultants, and delivery teams to balance innovation, buildability, cost and programme requirements.
• Provide expert guidance on technical standards, codes, and construction methodologies.
• Drive best practice in digital design management (BIM, coordination tools, data management).

You will have

• A strong track record of design management in the construction sector, ideally across large‑scale, complex projects.
• Deep technical understanding of construction methods, design coordination, and compliance frameworks.
• Experience in leading multi‑disciplinary teams and managing external design consultants.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Benefits

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata).
• Family friendly policies including 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partner's leave.
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. We are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We also offer applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

We are actively encouraging applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.