Design Manager

Wates Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wates Group is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join our Planned Works team, delivering social housing refurbishment, retrofit and planned maintenance projects nationwide. You will lead the design process, coordinate consultants, and ensure designs are compliant, buildable and delivered to programme.

You will collaborate with operational and commercial teams from pre-construction through completion, driving value engineering, risk management and continuous improvement across multiple

Qualifications

• Experience leading design across social housing planned works.
• Strong knowledge of Building Regulations and H&S requirements.
• Proven ability to coordinate external consultants and design teams.
• Excellent communication with operational and commercial teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design process across multiple social housing planned works projects.
• Coordinate consultants and designers to ensure on-time design deliverables.
• Develop and manage design programmes aligning with procurement and construction.
• Review designs for compliance, buildability, cost effectiveness and project objectives.
• Work with operations and commercial teams to ensure buildable designs.

Skills

Design leadership

Stakeholder management

Coordination of consultants

Project delivery

Education

Degree in Construction/Architecture/Building Technology

Tools

Building regulations knowledge

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Design Manager to join our growing Planned Works team, delivering high-quality social housing refurbishment, retrofit and planned maintenance projects across our National Planned Division.

This is an exciting opportunity for a design professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about improving homes and communities through innovative, compliant and buildable design solutions. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in social housing planned works, working closely with operational and commercial teams to ensure successful project delivery from pre-construction through to completion.

Drawing on responsibilities outlined in internal design management profiles, this role will be responsible for coordinating and managing the design process, ensuring design deliverables are fully coordinated, compliant, buildable and delivered to programme.

About The Role

As Design Manager, you will play a key role in the successful delivery of planned maintenance, refurbishment and retrofit programmes, ensuring all design information supports safe, efficient and high-quality project execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design process across multiple social housing planned works projects.
• Coordinate consultants, architects and specialist designers to ensure design information is issued accurately and on time.
• Develop and manage design programmes to support procurement and construction activities.
• Review designs to ensure compliance with building regulations, client requirements and industry standards.
• Work closely with Operational and Commercial teams to ensure designs are buildable, cost-effective and aligned to project objectives.
• Identify and manage design risks, driving solutions and value engineering opportunities.
• Chair design team meetings and coordinate actions through to completion.
• Support pre-construction activities, bids and tender submissions where required.
• Promote best practice, innovation and continuous improvement throughout the design process.
• Ensure health, safety and regulatory considerations are embedded within all design activities.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Previous experience as a Design Manager within social housing planned works, refurbishment or retrofit programmes with a focus on High Rise Buildings
• Strong understanding of design management processes from pre-construction through to delivery.
• Experience managing external consultants, architects and design teams.
• Knowledge of construction methodologies, procurement processes and project delivery.
• Strong understanding of Building Regulations, health and safety requirements and industry standards.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritise competing deadlines.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites as required.

Desirable

• Experience working on retrofit, decarbonisation or SHDF-funded schemes.
• HNC/HND or degree in Construction, Architecture, Building Technology or a related discipline.
• Professional membership such as CIOB or equivalent.
• Knowledge of PAS 2035 and retrofit compliance frameworks.

Our Commitments

WPS is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

We don't discriminate based on a criminal record; all applications are reviewed on an individual basis against the requirements of the role. Some roles may require additional checks, due to the nature of the work. As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role and opt in to the Disability Confident scheme. Reasonable adjustments are available, please contact us at [e-mail]