Design Manager

Willmott Dixon; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

enhanced pension scheme

optional private medical cover

life assurance

an Incentive Bonus

Job summary

Willmott Dixon in the North West seeks a Design Manager based at our Oldham office, with a hybrid working model between office, home and site. You will own the design process across Education, Leisure, Transport, Blue Light, Commercial and Residential sectors, guiding multi-disciplinary teams to deliver outputs that meet goals and budgets.

You’ll chair design team meetings, manage consultants, develop design programmes with milestones, and deliver cost-effective, innovative technical solutions

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in developing and managing design programmes.
• Knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements for construction design.
• Proven capability to deliver cost-effective technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design process to meet specifications and cost plans.
• Manage consultants and performance against scope of services.
• Develop a design programme with consultants to milestones.
• Deliver innovative, cost-conscious technical solutions.
• Chair design team meetings and drive actions to completion.
• Ensure designs meet regulatory approvals with thorough tracking.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Design management

Programme management

Regulatory knowledge

Job description

Are you ready to lead the design process on some of the most exciting and innovative projects in the region? Willmott Dixon is seeking a Design Manager to support our diverse range of projects across the North West. Based out of our Oldham office, you’ll enjoy a hybrid working model with time split between the office, home, and onsite locations.

As a Design Manager, you’ll take ownership of the design process, fostering collaboration across disciplines and driving project success. Leading the design on projects ranging from £10m to £100m across the following sectors: Education, Leisure, Transport, Blue Light, Commercial and Residential. You’ll oversee, monitor, and report on design programmes, ensuring high-quality outputs that align with project goals and budgets.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the design process to produce accurate information that meets agreed specifications and cost plans.
• Managing the appointment and performance of consultants in line with their deed and agreed scope of services.
• Developing a design programme with consultants to meet whole-life programme milestones.
• Delivering cost-effective, innovative technical solutions.
• Chairing design team meetings and driving action plans to completion.
• Ensuring designs meet all statutory and regulatory approvals, with comprehensive tracking and documentation.

With a robust pipeline of projects and a transparent outlook, you’ll have the confidence that you’re joining a stable business with a fantastic culture.

Essential and Desirable Criteria

We’re looking for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and has a passion for innovative construction solutions.

Key skills and attributes include:

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and the ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in developing and managing design programmes.
• Knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements relevant to construction design.
• The ability to produce cost-effective and creative technical solutions.

Additional Information

At Willmott Dixon, we pride ourselves on delivering projects that inspire, using sustainable solutions and modern construction methods. Join a team that values your growth and supports your career development in a role where no two days are the same. You’ll gain exposure to multiple sectors, work alongside some of the industry’s best minds, and contribute to the design phase of transformational construction projects.

In return for your hard work, we offer a competitive package that includes flexible benefits to suit your lifestyle and priorities.

• enhanced pension scheme
• optional private medical cover
• life assurance
• an Incentive Bonus

At Willmott Dixon, we provide an inclusive and flexible working environment for people to thrive in and are happy to support agile working wherever possible.

We are a proud member of the Disability Confident Scheme.

About Us

With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon’s purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability have enabled us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people thrive.

Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe’s 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025. Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.