Design Manager

Hoare Lea; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hoare Lea seeks a Design Manager to lead Data Centre and Mission Critical projects from multiple UK offices. The role supports hybrid working and offers opportunities to shape high‑profile engineering schemes across the North and beyond.

You will own design management across technically complex projects, coordinating with clients and multi‑discipline teams to ensure robust delivery and high standards of quality.

Qualifications

• Experience in a proactive design management role within building services or project delivery.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to influence stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and planning skills with ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Good understanding of design programme management and project delivery processes.
• Strong digital awareness and proactive use of digital tools.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of design management duties across technically complex engineering projects including Data Centres and Mission Critical Facilities.
• Foster and maintain relationships with clients and other professionals to create future opportunities.
• Arrange and facilitate project briefings alongside the Project Leader.
• Manage workloads of internal and external teams including Hoare Lea specialist groups and architectural/engineering teams.
• Provide internal design reviews and ensure compliance with QM procedures.

Skills

Design management

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Digital tools

Project delivery

Risk management

Job description

Design Manager - Data Centre and Mission Critical

Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow or Edinburgh

About us

Hoare Lea is a human‑centric and planet‑conscious engineering consultancy. We offer intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment throughout the UK and further afield.

We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability to name but a few. Together, our highly skilled teams use technical expertise and problem‑solving skills to bring buildings to life. We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves.

We are as committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. So, in joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our 9‑day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and 25 days of annual leave (increasing with service), alongside flexible and hybrid working.

Whatever your ambitions or circumstances, our aim is to enable everyone to develop their knowledge, give their best, and enjoy what they do.

About the office

We have an opportunity for a Design Manager to play a key role in delivering high‑quality, sustainable solutions across multiple Data Centre and Mission Critical projects.

We have a well‑established reputation for delivering outstanding design on built environment projects throughout the North. Our work spans cutting edge healthcare and research facilities, high‑performance data centres, critical infrastructure and state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing and technology environments projects that push boundaries and deliver real‑world impact.

Our experience covers everything in the Data Centre & Mission Critical sector – from complex live plant upgrades, close control, data halls, financial‑sector trading floor environments, critical engineering, and due diligence reviews of existing facilities, you will get to work on projects across the UK, Ireland and Europe.

Driven by a commitment to excellence, we combine innovation, technical expertise, and practical delivery to create solutions that are not only robust and reliable, but forward‑thinking and sustainable. Our teams work at the forefront of the industry, collaborating with leading clients across the public and private sectors, both locally and internationally.

About the role

We have a brand‑new opportunity for a Data Centre & Mission Critical Design Manager to join/support our North region. This role can be based in any of our regional offices, including Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow or Edinburgh.

As we continue to grow and secure exciting new project portfolios, now is a great time to join us. Working alongside a range of specialist engineers and consultants, you will be joining a collaborative, knowledgeable, highly engaged team who love what they do, and offer a supportive, flexible, and high‑performing work culture.

The Design Management role is one which brings together people and projects to achieve the highest outcomes and maintain Hoare Lea’s position as an industry leader.

In this role, you can expect to:

• Take ownership of design management duties across technically complex engineering projects including Data Centres and Mission Critical Facilities.
• Responsible for dealing successfully with Clients and other professionals to foster and maintain good relationships and to create future opportunities.
• Arrange and facilitate project briefings alongside the Project Leader, with the right cultural mindset to support successful outcomes.
• Manage and prioritise the workload of a both internal and external teams including Hoare Lea specialist groups, plus civil, structural and architectural team members
• Arrange and facilitate internal project communications, including huddles, workshops, meetings and social media activity.
• Host and chair team management meetings and external design team meetings
• Arrange and facilitate internal design reviews, ensuring compliance with internal QM procedures and processes.
• Undertake internal design programming and agree this with the Hoare Lea team and external client/project lead teams.
• Ensure projects are operating effectively in the digital space and champion the use of digital tools internally and externally.
• Ensure internal teams are working within the scope of the appointment.
• Monitor project costs, invoicing against programme/earned value, and provide cost predictions to completion.
• Report to the Project Lead, Programme Director and Regional Operations Directors as required.
• Implement and manage change processes, including agreement of associated fees.
• Attend project team meetings and workshops as appropriate and facilitate Hoare Lea actions in a timely manner.
• Collate monthly client reports at project level for issue.
• Monitor and report on Hoare Lea design progress against programme through to issue.
• Work with the Regional Document Controller to ensure successful issue of projects to a high standard and on time.
• Manage internal and external design risk assessments in accordance with QM procedures.
• Ensure projects are audited and technically reviewed to manage risk.

About you

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• Experience in a proactive design management role within building services or project delivery.
• Experience of working on
• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build positive working relationships.
• Confidence working with project leads, engineers, specialists, clients and external design teams.
• Experience arranging and facilitating meetings, workshops, briefings and design reviews.
• Good understanding of design programme management and project delivery processes.
• Ability to monitor costs, report progress and support fee and change management processes.
• Strong digital awareness and a proactive approach to using digital tools.
• Experience working within quality management procedures and technical review processes.
• Good awareness of risk management and compliance requirements.
• Ability to support team development, resourcing and the effective distribution of work across multiple offices.
• A collaborative mindset, with the confidence to work across Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow or Edinburgh as part of a wider regional team.

Adjustments and accommodations

If there are adjustments or accommodations that we can put in place to help you participate and give your best at any stage of the recruitment process (whether relating to disability, neurodivergence or anything else) please let us know.

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