Design Manager

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Birmingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A public transport agency in Birmingham is searching for a Design Manager to lead their design strategy for a £2.2Bn capital delivery program. This role focuses on ensuring functional and safe designs while considering sustainability. The successful candidate will need experience in managing designers and delivering strategies across construction phases. This role offers competitive benefits and the chance to impact community development significantly.

Benefits

28 days paid annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Discounted gym membership

EV car benefit scheme

3 days paid leave for volunteering

Interest free financing for technology

Qualifications

• Experience of developing designs that support Net Zero and improve biodiversity.
• Knowledge of best practices for design materials that reduce carbon footprint.
• Understanding of standards for designing transport infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of the Design Panel and manage design approvals.
• Engage with stakeholders during project lifecycles to advise on design best practices.
• Prepare reports for senior management and committees.

Skills

Experience of approving design packs

Experience of managing key stakeholders

Strong organisational and project management skills

Innovative thinking and creative problem solving

Experience of collaborative work in multidisciplinary teams

Job description

Are you ready to shape the future of the West Midlands?

If you’re passionate about designing innovative schemes that truly improve lives, this is your chance to make a lasting impact. Join us and work on transformative projects that put people and communities at the heart of every design.

The Design Manager is part of the Delivery directorate with the key responsibility tolead the design strategy for Transport for West Midlands’s (TfWM) £2.2Bn capital delivery programme. You will be a technical design expert, supporting the development of a new design panel and approval processes, ensuring governance and high standards are met throughout the programme. This is a vital role for the organisation as you will be responsible for ensuring that our designs are functional, safe and have a place-based approach, considering public realm, skills, and housing as elements alongside transport and infrastructure projects.

Focusing on ambitious projects including Dudley Interchange, the Wednesbury/Brierly Hill extension, Sprint and rail packages you will provide guidance on design and interpret policy from the local Transport plan tobuild a West Midlands that is a great place to live, work and visit. Looking at governance and approvals, you will champion the creation of a new design panel and process that will ensure our new major transport infrastructure are designed to the highest standards for the people of the West Midlands.

This is a great opportunity to make a positive change to the region, working on ambitious projects that will improve travel for the West Midlands. To be successful in this role you will need to be a creative thinker, people focused and results orientated.

What you will be doing

• Support the development of the Design Panel and manage the gateway approvals for design.
• Engage with TfWM stakeholders during the project lifecycle to advise on best practice design.
• Review, challenge, and feedback on designs from our principal designers and contractors.
• Ensure designs are fit for purpose and support our strategic design aspirations.
• Provide expert advice to shape and inform designs associated with the delivery of major transport infrastructure.
• Input into tendering exercises for major construction programmes.
• Maintain collaborative relationships and tactical governance across TfWM.
• Prepare reports for senior management, elected members, WMCA committees, programme boards and Local Cabinet.
• Matrix working across teams

What's essential

• Experience of approving design packs.
• Experience of developing and preparing designs which include features that support Net Zero and improve Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Experience of commissioning technical services through procurement and working across the construction sector supply chain to ensure compliance against standards and policies.
• Experience of developing and delivering strategies across construction phases to monitor, and audit designs to ensure they meet standards and requirements.
• Experience of managing key stakeholders both internally and externally and the wider supply chain within the construction industry.
• Experience of collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience of line managing or mentoring junior staff.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Knowledge of best practice for design and materials that reduce carbon footprint.
• Understanding of standards for designing transport infrastructure on highways including LTN 1/20, Manual for Streets.
• Innovative thinking and creative approach to problem solving around design of infrastructure.

Location

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane with at least 3 days a week spent in the office.

How to apply

Applying for a role with WMCA is straight forward. Follow these steps to get started.

1. Create your Careers Account.Register with your name, email address, and a password.
2. Build your Profile.Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
3. Write your Supporting Statement. Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
4. Submit your application. Do one final check and once complete, click submit.

Anonymised Applications

Your uploaded CV won’t be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting. Be thorough in each section. it’s your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We cannot stop anyone from using AI help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the FAQs section of our careers site.

Reasonable adjustments

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team ([e-mail]).

Salary and benefits

We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more)
• EV car benefit scheme
• Ethical saving options and healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership, will writingandmortgage advice.
• An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
• Interest free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology
• Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more.

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

Why join WMCA?

WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters, Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.

Creating an inclusive workplace

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional “perfect candidate” mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying.

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Attached documents

JD - Design Manager.pdf