Design Manager

Wates Smartspace; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Wates is seeking a Design Manager to join our Sunderland team to support delivery of a range of construction projects across the region. The role suits an experienced Design Manager from a large contractor or an Architect/Engineer moving into a design consultancy context within a supportive team.

You will lead design activities, coordinate multidiscipinary teams, and ensure compliance and buildability while maintaining strong client and supply chain relationships.

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent experience in a relevant construction discipline.
• Experience delivering and/or managing construction design on large projects within a regulated industry.

Responsibilities

• Managing the design process throughout the project lifecycle from pre-construction to completion.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary design teams and external consultants.
• Ensuring designs comply with statutory, contractual and project requirements.
• Reviewing design information to ensure buildability, quality and programme alignment.
• Managing design risk, change control and technical queries.
• Working closely with operational, commercial and planning teams to support successful project delivery.
• Supporting the development of innovative and value-driven design solutions.

Skills

Technical and problem-solving skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Collaborative and proactive approach

Education

Degree in construction discipline

Job description

We are looking for a Design Manager to join our team, based out of Sunderland, supporting the successful delivery of a range of exciting construction projects across the region.

This opportunity is well suited to an experienced Design Manager from a large construction contractor, or to an Architect or Engineer with experience in a design consultancy who is looking to progress their career as part of a talented, diverse and supportive team.

The role

Design Managers play a key role in our business, supporting quality outcomes, improving buildability and encouraging innovation. Working collaboratively with industry specialists and in‑house technical experts, you will help ensure that designs develop in line with the brief, with a strong focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability and best practice.

What you'll be doing

• Collaborating with all relevant parties to produce and manage a realistic design programme and information required schedule to support design, procurement and construction activities
• Supporting the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives and innovation
• Ensuring designs are reviewed and verified to achieve compliance, and to identify and mitigate health and safety, design and buildability risks prior to construction
• Identifying key risks and opportunities at each stage of the design and delivery process

Due to the nature of this role, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required at the offer stage.

What you'll bring

• A degree or equivalent experience in a relevant construction discipline
• Experience delivering and/or managing construction design on large projects within a regulated industry (for example MoJ, MoD, Power Generation, or similar sectors)

What You’ll Be Doing

• Managing the design process throughout the project lifecycle, from pre-construction to completion
• Coordinating multidisciplinary design teams and external consultants
• Ensuring designs comply with statutory, contractual and project requirements
• Reviewing design information to ensure buildability, quality and programme alignment
• Managing design risk, change control and technical queries
• Working closely with operational, commercial and planning teams to support successful project delivery
• Supporting the development of innovative and value-driven design solutions
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, consultants and supply chain partners
• Contributing to bid and pre-construction activities where required

What We're Looking For

• Experience working on medium to large construction projects
• Ability to manage consultant teams and coordinate complex design information
• Strong technical, organisational and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities
• A collaborative, proactive and solutions-focused approach
• Relevant construction, engineering or design qualifications are desirable

Why Join Wates?

• Work on a diverse portfolio of construction projects across the region
• Join a collaborative and high-performing project team
• Play a key role in shaping successful project outcomes from concept through to completion
• Opportunities for career development and progression
• Competitive salary and benefits package, with flexibility where possible

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]