Design Manager

Blue Water Recruitment Limited; Milford Haven; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Water Recruitment is seeking an experienced Design Manager for a major construction project in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. You will lead the design process from pre-construction to completion, coordinating architects, engineers and specialist subcontractors while ensuring buildability, compliance and programme delivery.

The role requires strong stakeholder management, a track record on large-scale projects (£60m+), and the ability to operate in confidential, NDA-bound environments.

Qualifications

• Experience leading design coordination across architectural, structural, civil and MEP disciplines.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management capabilities.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary design teams and consultants.
• Ability to identify, manage and mitigate design risks within programmes.

Responsibilities

• Manage the design process from pre-construction through to project completion.
• Develop and monitor design programmes and information release schedules.
• Coordinate architectural, structural, civil and MEP design information.
• Lead design coordination meetings with consultants and subcontractors.
• Ensure design information is issued in line with procurement and construction programmes.
• Review drawings and technical information for buildability and compliance.
• Identify design clashes and drive their resolution.
• Maintain design trackers and reporting to the Project Leadership Team.

Skills

Design coordination

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Architects management

Education

Construction management degree

Job description

Design Manager - Major Construction Project
Location: Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire
Sector: Major Construction / Tier 1 Main Contractor
Project Value: £60m+
Contract: Permanent

Blue Water Recruitment are currently looking to speak with experienced Design Managers for an opportunity with a leading main contractor delivering a major construction project in Milford Haven. Due to the confidential and security-sensitive nature of the project, there is limited information regarding the client, project and scope that can be disclosed during the initial stages of the recruitment process. Candidates progressing through the process will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before further confidential project information can be provided. We are therefore particularly interested in experienced construction professionals who are comfortable operating within secure, confidential and highly controlled project environments.

The Role

As Design Manager, you will be a key member of the Project Leadership Team, taking responsibility for managing and coordinating the design process from pre-construction through to project completion. You will ensure that design information is coordinated, buildable, compliant and delivered in accordance with programme, budget and project requirements. Working closely with consultants, specialist subcontractors and internal commercial and operational teams, you will identify and resolve design issues, manage design risk and ensure information is available to support procurement and construction activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the design process from pre-construction through to project completion.
• Develop, administer and monitor project design programmes and information release schedules.
• Coordinate architectural, structural, civil and MEP design information.
• Manage multidisciplinary consultant teams and specialist subcontractor design.
• Ensure design information is produced and issued in accordance with procurement and construction programmes.
• Review drawings, specifications and technical information for coordination, compliance and buildability.
• Identify design clashes, gaps and inconsistencies and drive their resolution.
• Manage design interfaces between different packages, disciplines and specialist contractors.
• Lead design coordination meetings and technical workshops.
• Monitor consultant performance against agreed deliverables and programme requirements.
• Manage design‑related RFIs, technical queries and change throughout project delivery.
• Identify and manage design risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive value engineering opportunities while maintaining quality, compliance and project requirements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant Building Regulations, planning requirements, statutory approvals and technical standards.
• Work closely with commercial teams to understand the cost implications of design development and change.
• Support operational teams by ensuring design information is available ahead of construction requirements.
• Maintain effective design trackers, responsibility matrices and design records.
• Provide clear reporting on design progress, outstanding information, risks and key decisions to the Project Leadership Team.
• Maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality and information control throughout the project.

Essential Experience

• Previous experience operating as a Design Manager or Senior Design Manager within a main contracting environment.
• Experience managing the design process on large‑scale construction projects, ideally with project values exceeding £60 million.
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary design coordination across architectural, structural, civil and MEP disciplines.
• Experience developing and administering design programmes and information release schedules.
• Proven experience managing architects, engineers, consultants and specialist designers.
• Strong understanding of construction methodology and buildability.
• Knowledge of Building Regulations, planning requirements and statutory approvals.
• Ability to identify, manage and mitigate design risks.
• Experience supporting value engineering and alternative design solutions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder‑management capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively with commercial, operational and project leadership teams.
• Degree qualification in Construction Management, Architecture, Architectural Technology, Civil Engineering or another relevant discipline.

Security & Confidentiality

Due to the nature of the project, confidentiality and the ability to operate effectively within a security‑controlled environment are important requirements of the position. Candidates should be comfortable progressing through a recruitment process where certain information regarding the client, project and scope cannot initially be disclosed. Further information will be made available to suitable candidates at the appropriate stage and will be subject to completion of an NDA. Previous experience working within secure, defence, nuclear, energy, critical infrastructure or other highly regulated construction environments would be advantageous. Existing relevant security clearance and/or BPSS would also be beneficial.

Desirable

• Experience working on projects operating under NEC forms of contract.
• Existing relevant security clearance.
• BPSS.
• Previous experience within secure or high‑compliance project environments.
• Experience delivering technically complex major construction projects.
• Experience coordinating significant MEP and specialist subcontractor design packages.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take a leading design role on a major, high‑value and confidential construction project with an established main contractor. The position would particularly suit an experienced Design Manager accustomed to technically complex projects where design coordination, buildability, programme, compliance and stakeholder management are critical.

Due to the confidential nature of the project, Blue Water Recruitment will only be able to provide limited project information during the initial stages. Candidates progressing further will be asked to complete an NDA before additional project details are disclosed.