Lead Design Manager

London Gatwick Airport; Crawley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK airport is seeking a Lead Design Manager to oversee and transform the design management function across innovative construction projects. This role requires strong leadership, a background in engineering, and a commitment to delivering high-quality and cost-effective solutions. With a diverse range of benefits and a commitment to inclusion, this is an exceptional opportunity to lead design in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Welcome Bonus

Performance-based bonus scheme

High street shops and restaurant discounts

Healthcare scheme

Life and disability insurance

Professional training to develop

Professional subscriptions

Discounted travel

Volunteer days

Qualifications

• Strong background in engineering design or management in complex infrastructure.
• Proven leadership in multidisciplinary teams and with external consultants.
• Project management qualifications (e.g., APMP, Prince2 Practitioner) are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee design management across construction projects.
• Set design management procedures for consistency and quality.
• Monitor external design consultants for delivery quality.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder Engagement

Quality Management

Design Risk Management

Education

Degree-level qualification in engineering, construction, or related field

Chartered status with a recognised engineering institution

Job description

London Gatwick is on a journey of transformation-and we're looking for a Lead Design Manager to help shape the infrastructure of one of the UK's busiest and most innovative airports. This is a rare opportunity to take a pivotal role in leading the design management function across Gatwick's Capital Investment Programme, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective, and forward-thinking engineering solutions.

What is the role?

• Lead and oversee all design management activities across Gatwick's construction projects.
• Set and embed design management procedures that drive consistency, clarity, and quality across the project lifecycle.
• Lead and mentor a team of design specialists, fostering a high-performance culture and identifying future talent.
• Assure key project stages, validating technical proposals and ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Monitor and evaluate external design consultants to drive continuous improvement in delivery quality and efficiency.
• Ensure all designs meet cost benchmarks and challenge conventional approaches where innovation can add value.
• Champion industry best practice to streamline processes and minimise rework.
• Promote health, safety, and environmental excellence in all design related activities, including the fulfilment of Principal Designer duties.
• Manage the graduate engineering programme and maintain engagement with professional institutions.
• Support safety tours, inspections, and reporting across capital programmes.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation across design processes.

What are we looking for?

• Degree-level qualification (or equivalent) in engineering, construction, or a related field.
• Chartered status with a recognised engineering institution (highly desirable).
• A strong background in engineering design or design management within complex infrastructure programmes (typically of £50m+ value).
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams and oversight of external design consultants.
• Strong grasp of design risk management; IOSH-accredited Principal Designer certification is advantageous.
• Demonstrable knowledge of quality management, capital project delivery, and business process optimisation.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Project management qualifications (e.g. APMP, Prince2 Practitioner) are a plus.
• Previous experience in operational environments (such as aviation) is desirable.
• A track record of delivering results in high-pressure, fast-paced settings.

What do I get?

Our employees tell us that working here is something special, and no day is like another, where our teams do something every day that other airports only dream of. Along with a competitive salary, our employees enjoy a range of personal, health and financial benefits, including:

• Welcome Bonus
• Performance-based bonus scheme
• High street shops and restaurant discounts
• Healthcare scheme
• Life and disability insurance
• Professional training to develop
• Professional subscriptions
• Discounted travel
• Volunteer days

What it's like to work at London Gatwick?

Our people are our biggest asset. We want people to thrive and have the best experience while working with us. We know we are all at our best when we feel comfortable and included.

We are an organisation that places diversity, equity and inclusion at its heart. We aim to create a place where everyone belongs and has a voice, and we recognise we all play an important role in our success.

To find out more about what it's like to work at Gatwick, visit our careers site Careers | Grow your career with Gatwick Airport LGW

Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the application process, please contact us directly.

Click apply to start your career with Gatwick.