Design Manager

Girling Jones Ltd; South Hams; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Girling Jones Ltd in Plymouth, Devon, is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join a major defence infrastructure programme at Devonport Dockyard. The role focuses on coordinating design packages across civil, structural, marine and M&E disciplines within a secure naval environment.

You will lead pre-construction and construction design delivery, manage changes and risks, and work closely with construction teams, consultants and stakeholders to ensure buildability and programme compliance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Design Manager on large-scale civil engineering projects.
• Eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance.
• Experience managing design consultants and multidisciplinary packages.
• Strong technical, commercial and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the design process through pre-construction and construction.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary consultants across civil, structural, marine and M&E.
• Review designs for compliance, buildability and programme.
• Manage design changes, queries and risks.
• Identify value engineering opportunities and cost-effective solutions.
• Ensure design information supports procurement and construction.

Skills

Design management

Civil engineering

Stakeholder management

Multidisciplinary coordination

Job description

Design Manager Major Civil Engineering / Defence Infrastructure

Location: Plymouth, Devon

Salary: £75,000 £80,000 + Bonus + Benefits Package

The Opportunity

An established UK civil engineering contractor is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join a major defence infrastructure programme at Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth.

The programme involves significant investment in the redevelopment and modernisation of Royal Navy facilities, including marine structures, dock refurbishments, reinforced concrete works, operational buildings and associated infrastructure.

This is a long-term opportunity to work on technically complex civil engineering projects within a secure, operational naval environment.

The Role

As Design Manager, you will oversee the coordination and delivery of design packages, working closely with construction teams, consultants and project stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the design process through pre-construction and construction.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary consultants across civil, structural, marine and M&E disciplines.
• Reviewing designs to ensure technical compliance, buildability and programme requirements.
• Managing design changes, technical queries and associated risks.
• Identifying value engineering opportunities and cost-effective solutions.
• Ensuring design information is delivered to support procurement and construction activities.

About You

We are looking for an established Design Manager with a strong background in major civil engineering projects, ideally gained with a principal contractor.

Essential requirements:

• Proven experience as a Design Manager on large-scale civil engineering projects.
• Must live within commuting distance of Devonport Dockyard or be willing to relocate.
• Must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance.
• Experience managing design consultants and complex, multidisciplinary design packages.
• Strong technical understanding, commercial awareness and stakeholder management skills.

What's On Offer?

• £75,000 £80,000 basic salary
• Annual bonus and comprehensive benefits package.
• Long-term involvement in a major UK defence infrastructure programme.
• Technically challenging civil engineering projects with an established contractor.
• Genuine opportunities for career progression.