Design Manager

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

Job summary

Wates Group is seeking a Design Manager to own the design process for residential developments from tender through to completion. You will lead the design team, coordinate internal and external stakeholders, and ensure buildable, compliant, and value-driven design outputs are delivered on time.

You'll work with development, commercial and construction teams to drive design excellence, BIM integration, and regulatory compliance across multiple schemes, from concept to delivery.

Qualifications

• Design Manager with experience leading residential design teams.
• Strong knowledge of design management, construction methodologies, and procurement.
• Familiar with UK regulations, risk management, and health & safety requirements.
• Experience coordinating external consultants and multidisciplinary design teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the design management of residential projects from pre-construction through to delivery.
• Review design information, identify risks and opportunities, and drive buildability improvements.
• Support bid activities with technical inputs and contractor proposals.
• Develop and manage design programmes, information release schedules, and design deliverables.
• Coordinate consultants, subcontractors, and statutory bodies for effective design delivery.
• Drive value engineering and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee BIM integration and support digital design processes across projects.
• Ensure compliance with design management processes, quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Act as the main point of contact for design-related matters across project teams and stakeholders.

Skills

Design management

Residential construction

Stakeholder management

BIM & digital design

Contractor coordination

Education

Architecture or Construction Technology degree

CIOB/MCIOB membership (advantageous)

Tools

BIM software (Revit)

Job description

Are you a Design Manager looking to take ownership of residential developments while working for a business committed to creating places where people can thrive?

At Wates Residential, we're looking for a talented Design Manager to join our team and play a key role in delivering high-quality residential developments from tender stage through to completion.

This is an opportunity to work alongside experienced development, commercial and construction teams, leading the design process across a range of projects and ensuring innovative, practical and buildable solutions are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standard.

The Role

As Design Manager, you'll be responsible for managing the design process throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring all design outputs are coordinated, compliant and aligned to programme, budget and quality requirements.

You'll work closely with internal teams, consultants, subcontractors and stakeholders, providing technical leadership and ensuring projects are delivered successfully from concept to completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the design management of residential projects from pre-construction through to delivery.
• Review design information and identify risks, opportunities and buildability improvements.
• Support bid and work-winning activities, including technical inputs and contractor proposals.
• Develop and manage design programmes, information release schedules and design deliverables.
• Coordinate consultants, subcontractors and statutory bodies to ensure effective design delivery.
• Drive value engineering opportunities and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee BIM integration and support digital design processes across projects.
• Ensure compliance with design management processes, quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Act as the key point of contact for design-related matters across project teams and stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is technically strong, commercially aware and thrives on collaboration.

You'll Ideally Have

• Previous experience in a Design Manager role within residential or construction environments.
• Strong understanding of design management, construction methodologies and procurement processes.
• Knowledge of UK construction regulations, risk management and health & safety requirements.
• Experience managing external consultants and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of BIM and digital design processes.
• A relevant qualification in Architecture, Construction Technology or a related discipline. CIOB and/or CIOB/MCIOB membership would be advantageous.

Our Commitments

Wates is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement, as we value transferable skills and assess all applications fairly.

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]