Senior Design Assurance Manager - Process, Governance & Technology

Project People; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Senior Design Assurance Manager at Theale with flexible working is sought to lead the design quality and governance across a major UK infrastructure program. You will shape assurance strategy, drive digital transformation, and partner with IT, Data and Delivery teams to improve outcomes.

Ideal candidates bring telecoms or infrastructure design leadership, strong stakeholder influence, and a data-driven mindset to deliver continuous improvement and robust assurance across the end-to-end lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading design assurance in telecoms or large infrastructure projects.
• Ability to develop assurance frameworks, quality standards and controls.
• Strong data-driven approach to risk, opportunity, and improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Design Assurance function, setting direction and performance expectations.
• Own assurance frameworks, quality standards and controls across design delivery.
• Drive improvements to processes, systems, reporting and digital capabilities.
• Identify opportunities to use automation and AI to strengthen assurance.
• Collaborate with Design, Delivery, IT and Data teams to align priorities.
• Resolve complex quality, process and delivery challenges.
• Develop performance measures using data to support decisions.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and delivery partners.
• Lead strategic improvement initiatives and foster continuous learning.
• Coach and develop the team to create a high-performing function.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Design assurance

Quality management

Telecom/infrastructure design

Data-driven decision making

Automation/AI awareness

People leadership

Job description

Senior Design Assurance Manager | Permanent | Theale | Flexible Working

Mobile Telecoms Experience is required for this role.

Are you an experienced Design Assurance or Design Quality leader looking for an opportunity to shape how design quality, governance and assurance are delivered across a major UK infrastructure environment?

We’re looking for a Senior Design Assurance Manager to lead the Design Assurance function, driving quality, compliance, consistency and continuous improvement across the end-to-end design lifecycle.

This is a strategic leadership role where you’ll have the opportunity to influence how design assurance works across the organisation — combining design expertise, data, digital transformation and emerging technologies such as AI to improve decision-making and delivery outcomes.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead and develop the Design Assurance function, setting direction, priorities and performance expectations
• Own and evolve assurance frameworks, quality standards and controls across design delivery
• Drive improvements to processes, systems, reporting and digital capabilities
• Identify opportunities to use automation, AI and emerging technology to strengthen assurance and operational performance
• Work closely with Design, Delivery, IT and Data teams to align priorities and improve ways of working
• Lead the resolution of complex quality, process and delivery challenges
• Develop meaningful performance measures and use data and insight to support decision-making
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, customers and delivery partners
• Lead strategic improvement initiatives and embed a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and learning
• Coach and develop your team, strengthening capability and creating a high-performing function

What we’re looking for:

We’re keen to hear from experienced professionals with a strong background in design assurance, quality management and telecommunications/infrastructure design and delivery.

You’ll bring:

• Strong strategic leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Experience developing assurance frameworks, quality standards and controls
• The ability to influence senior leaders, customers and external partners
• A data-driven approach to identifying risks, opportunities and improvements
• Experience leading change and embedding new processes and ways of working
• A genuine interest in digital transformation, automation and AI
• Strong people leadership, coaching and capability development skills
• The judgement to balance quality …