Design Manager - Structures

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Berkhamsted; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Design Manager to lead large-scale construction projects. This role emphasizes delivering projects on time and within budget while fostering a collaborative team environment. You will manage a diverse team, ensuring effective communication and innovative solutions. The position offers a unique opportunity to impact project outcomes positively while supporting your career growth in a dynamic, employee-owned culture. If you thrive in a challenging environment and are passionate about design and project management, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• 8+ years experience in design consultancy with technical design expertise.
• Proven project management skills and ability to handle large-scale projects.
• Strong stakeholder relationship skills and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver projects successfully within budget and quality targets.
• Lead, motivate, and develop the project team, ensuring effective communication.
• Manage documentation and ensure project delivery aligns with client needs.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Client Relationship Management

Project Management

Risk Management

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community but around the world.

About You

Are you experienced across a range of construction projects, with the ability to manage and motivate a team and demonstrate good leadership qualities? Do you have experience managing design projects to time, cost, and quality objectives, and are familiar with programming and earned value techniques? Are you customer-focused with excellent client relationship management skills? If so, we wish to hear from you.

As a Design Manager, you will be part of an organization that is 100% employee-owned, supporting and creating many opportunities for you to advance, succeed, and fulfill your career aspirations.

Primary Objectives

• Deliver projects successfully within agreed targets such as programme, budget, and quality.
• Identify and agree on project objectives with the Design Director and develop strategies to achieve them.
• Manage potential contractual or commercial risks by escalating issues early to the Project Director.
• Lead, motivate, coach, and develop the project team, providing regular feedback.
• Prioritize safety throughout project delivery.
• Facilitate communication and coordination within the project team and with clients and subcontractors.
• Manage the project delivery programme and plans.
• Ensure smooth project closeout, capture lessons learned, and initiate client satisfaction surveys.
• Promote a safe working culture and support client requirements.
• Deliver complex projects within budget and schedule.
• Foster knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Support your team to provide high-quality service.
• Lead a diverse team, encouraging innovative and agile delivery approaches.
• Understand client needs and develop schedules and plans to ensure project success.
• Create a proactive environment for risk management and innovation.

Responsibilities

As a Design Manager, your responsibilities include:

• Working on large-scale projects with significant responsibility.
• Managing documentation, design certainty, and ensuring effective time management.
• Communicating effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Leading Design Team Meetings, documenting discussions, and ensuring action completion.
• Improving and implementing project management processes.
• Handling RFIs, early warnings, and other communications to mitigate risks.
• Reviewing and responding to design transmittals and quotations.
• Managing changes, delays, and documentation of meetings.
• Updating project programmes, resource plans, and understanding project scope.
• Ensuring quality and value in project deliverables through coordination and innovation.
• Managing multiple packages and supporting team management under the Lead Design Delivery Manager.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in a design consultancy.
• Technical design experience in Structural Engineering is essential.
• Contract management experience and/or certifications are advantageous.
• Experience in major projects with proven client-side delivery.
• Strong stakeholder relationship skills.
• Curiosity, problem-solving ability, and responsiveness.
• Experience in value-added service delivery and cross-selling.
• Security clearance levels, where applicable.
• Enthusiasm for solving problems and working in a multinational environment.
• Experience in multidisciplinary team coordination and supporting junior staff.
• Ownership mentality and contribution to business growth.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proven project management skills across various projects.
• Understanding of health, safety, and welfare legislation.
• Knowledge of the Water sector's technical work.
• Ability to work independently within contract frameworks like NEC3/4.
• Experience with earned value analysis and project quality plans.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• 7 years of related experience.
• Minimum 2 years of project management experience.
• Proficiency in MS Office and MS Project; Access is a plus.
• Leadership skills.
• Active participation in our employee-owned culture.

Our Values and Commitment

HDR is our company. We build on each other's experiences to make great things possible daily, fostering a collaborative culture, trust, and strong community ties.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. Our Employee Network Groups support this mission by fostering belonging and engagement.

Location and Other Details

Location: London, United Kingdom

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Building Structural

Job Posting Date: Apr 8, 2025

Equal Opportunity Statement

HDR is committed to employment equity and is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to criminal histories or records.

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great things possible.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges and are always looking for talented individuals to join our global teams.