Senior Design Assurance Manager

Cornerstone; Theale; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

30 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Hybrid working

Private medical insurance

Cycle to Work

Electric Car scheme

Refer-a-friend scheme

Job summary

Cornerstone, the UK's leading mobile and digital infrastructure provider, seeks a Senior Design Assurance Manager to lead the Design Assurance function, embedding quality, governance and controls across the design lifecycle.

You will work with Design, Delivery, IT and Data teams to develop reporting, systems and digital capability, driving automation and data‑led decision making while building high‑performing teams.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in design assurance or quality management.
• Experience with governance and assurance across complex design programmes.
• Proven ability to drive change and continuous improvement.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders across functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Design Assurance function, setting priorities, standards and performance expectations.
• Own assurance frameworks, quality controls and governance processes across the design lifecycle.
• Drive improvements to systems, reporting and assurance capabilities to enhance visibility and decision-making.
• Partner with Design, Delivery, IT and Data teams to align priorities and improve ways of working.
• Champion the adoption of automation, AI and digital solutions to improve quality, consistency and operational performance.
• Lead complex quality and delivery challenges, ensuring effective resolution and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships across senior stakeholders, customers and delivery partners.
• Support long-term planning, capability development and strategic investment decisions within the Design function.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

Design assurance

Governance

Data‑driven decision making

Automation

Stakeholder management

Transformation

Job description

Shape the standards that underpin the UK's digital infrastructure

Cornerstone is the UK's leading mobile and digital infrastructure provider, managing over 15,700 sites and holding 35% of the UK market. Our mission is to be famous for excellence in delivery, embracing transformation with our people and our customers at its heart.

As we continue to evolve and strengthen our infrastructure portfolio, we're looking for a Senior Design Assurance Manager to lead a critical function responsible for quality, compliance and operational excellence across the end-to-end design lifecycle.

This is an opportunity to drive meaningful change, influence strategic decision-making, and help shape the future of design assurance within one of the UK's most important infrastructure businesses.

The Role

As Senior Design Assurance Manager, you'll lead Cornerstone's Design Assurance function, ensuring robust quality standards, governance and controls are embedded across all design activities.

Working across Design, Delivery, IT and Data teams, you'll be responsible for driving assurance excellence while developing the systems, reporting and digital capabilities needed to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

This is a highly visible leadership role that combines strategic thinking, operational oversight and transformation leadership.

This is part assurance leader, part change agent, part capability builder:

• Leading the Design Assurance function and setting strategic direction.
• Driving quality, compliance and governance across design programmes.
• Developing reporting, systems and digital capability.
• Championing automation, data-led decision-making and emerging technologies.
• Building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

If you're looking for a role where you can influence business-wide outcomes and shape the future of design assurance, this is it.

Why This Role Matters

Design quality and assurance play a fundamental role in delivering reliable infrastructure and exceptional customer outcomes.

This role will ensure the right frameworks, controls and capabilities are in place to support safe, compliant and efficient delivery while enabling the Design function to evolve and scale for the future.

Your leadership will directly influence quality, operational performance, customer experience and long-term business success.

What You'll Do

• Lead and develop the Design Assurance function, setting priorities, standards and performance expectations.
• Own assurance frameworks, quality controls and governance processes across the design lifecycle.
• Drive improvements to systems, reporting and assurance capabilities to enhance visibility and decision-making.
• Partner with Design, Delivery, IT and Data teams to align priorities and improve ways of working.
• Champion the adoption of automation, AI and digital solutions to improve quality, consistency and operational performance.
• Lead complex quality and delivery challenges, ensuring effective resolution and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships across senior stakeholders, customers and delivery partners.
• Support long-term planning, capability development and strategic investment decisions within the Design function.

What You'll Bring

You'll be an experienced leader with a strong understanding of design assurance, quality management and infrastructure delivery environments.

You'll bring:

• Proven leadership experience within design assurance, quality, engineering or a related operational function.
• A strong understanding of governance, quality management and assurance principles.
• Experience leading change, transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• The ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders across multiple business functions.
• Strong analytical skills, using data and insight to drive decision-making and performance improvement.
• Experience developing systems, reporting frameworks and operational controls.
• A collaborative leadership style with a passion for building capability and developing high-performing teams.
• The confidence to balance customer, commercial, operational and quality considerations when making decisions.
• Experience leveraging technology, automation and digital solutions to improve business performance.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.

What Will Make You Successful

A successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong strategic leadership and sound judgement.
• A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on quality and customer outcomes.
• The ability to create clarity and direction within complex environments.
• A collaborative and influential approach to leadership.
• A passion for developing people and building organisational capability.
• Curiosity, adaptability and a willingness to embrace new technologies and ways of working.
• A commitment to accountability, delivery excellence and long-term business success.

Why Join Us?

• Reward & Recognition: Competitive salary and excellent bonus structure.
• Time to Recharge: 30 days' annual leave.
• Long-Term Security: Competitive pension scheme and life insurance.
• Flexibility: Hybrid working to help you balance work and home life.
• Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance including dental and optical cover.
• Lifestyle Perks: Cycle to Work scheme, Electric Car scheme and retail discounts.
• Community & Growth: A generous refer-a-friend scheme and opportunities to develop your career.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is fundamental to our success. We strive to create an environment where every employee feels valued, respected and empowered to bring their authentic self to work.

By embracing diverse perspectives and experiences, we drive innovation and achieve better outcomes for our people, customers and communities.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring everyone can present their best self throughout the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments, please let us know.