Senior Design Manager

Walker & Sloan; Corsham; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Pension

BUPA Healthcare

EV scheme

Cycle to Work

Eyecare vouchers

Birthday off

Job summary

Walker & Sloan are recruiting a Senior Design Manager for a flagship £80 million data centre at Spring Park, Corsham. You will own design management, coordinating architectural, structural, civil and MEP disciplines to align with the construction programme.

The role offers autonomy, technical responsibility and the opportunity to influence design strategy from an early stage, within a leading specialist contractor in mission-critical sectors.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing design delivery on major construction projects.
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary design coordination, particularly MEP interfaces.
• Experience managing design consultants, specialist subcontractors and technical stakeholders.
• Excellent knowledge of Building Regulations, CDM and construction design processes.
• Strong programme management, technical assurance and problem-solving capabilities.
• The ability to lead design teams and communicate effectively with senior project stakeholders.
• Previous data centre experience would be highly beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage multidisciplinary design activities, ensuring architectural, structural, civil and MEP packages are integrated.
• Oversee design programmes, manage submissions and approvals, coordinate design workshops.
• Proactively identify potential design risks before they impact construction.
• Lead consultant and subcontractor design performance to meet quality and timetable standards.
• Guide junior team members and foster a culture of technical excellence.

Skills

Design management

Multidisciplinary coordination

MEP interfaces

Consultant management

Regulations knowledge

Programme management

Leadership

Education

Degree or HNC

Job description

Senior Design Manager | £85,000 - £95,000 + Excellent Benefits Package

Senior Design Manager | £80m Data Centre Development

Spring Park, Corsham, Wiltshire

Data Centres | Mission Critical | Design & Build | Major Construction Projects

Walker & Sloan are working with an outstanding specialist construction contractor to recruit an experienced Senior Design Manager for a flagship £80 million data centre development at Spring Park, Corsham.

Our client is a highly respected design, construction and engineering business with over 40 years of specialist experience delivering technically complex projects across the Data Centre, Defence and Energy sectors.

With an exceptional reputation, established client relationships and an exciting pipeline of major developments, the business continues to strengthen its position within the rapidly expanding mission critical construction market.

This appointment represents a fantastic opportunity to take a leading role in the design delivery of a significant, multi-stage data centre development, working alongside an experienced project leadership team.

For an ambitious Senior Design Manager looking to make a genuine impact on a major construction project, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

The Opportunity

As Senior Design Manager, you'll take ownership of the design management process on a major £80 million data centre development, ensuring that all design information is coordinated, technically compliant and delivered in line with the construction programme.

The project is currently progressing through Stage 4 design, with enabling works scheduled for Q4 2026 and main construction works commencing in Q2 2027.

You'll play a pivotal role in managing the transition from detailed design into construction, working closely with consultants, specialist subcontractors, project teams and key stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of this technically demanding development.

This is a position offering significant autonomy, technical responsibility and the opportunity to influence design strategy, buildability and project outcomes from an early stage.

The Role

You'll lead the coordination and management of multidisciplinary design activities, ensuring architectural, structural, civil and MEP design packages are fully integrated and aligned with project requirements.

Working closely with the Project Director and wider delivery team, you'll oversee design programmes, manage technical submissions and approvals, coordinate design workshops and proactively identify potential design risks before they impact construction.

You'll also take a leading role in managing consultant and subcontractor design performance, ensuring information is delivered to the required quality, programme and technical standards.

With the complexities associated with major data centre developments, you'll be instrumental in driving collaboration between design and operational teams, resolving technical challenges and ensuring design solutions support efficient construction, commissioning and eventual handover.

You'll also provide guidance and leadership to junior members of the design team, supporting their professional development and contributing to a culture of technical excellence.

About You

You'll be an established Senior Design Manager or experienced Design Manager with a strong background delivering major construction projects for a recognised main contractor or specialist design and build business.

You'll possess excellent technical knowledge, strong leadership capabilities and the confidence to manage complex multidisciplinary design packages.

Experience within Data Centres, Mission Critical, Defence, Pharmaceutical, Industrial or technically demanding Commercial Construction environments would be particularly advantageous.

You’ll ideally demonstrate:

• Proven experience managing design delivery on major construction projects
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary design coordination, particularly MEP interfaces
• Experience managing design consultants, specialist subcontractors and technical stakeholders
• Excellent knowledge of Building Regulations, CDM and construction design processes
• Strong programme management, technical assurance and problem‑solving capabilities
• The ability to lead design teams and communicate effectively with senior project stakeholders

A relevant degree, HNC or equivalent qualification in Construction, Engineering, Architecture or a related discipline would be advantageous.

Previous data centre experience would be highly beneficial, although candidates from other technically complex construction sectors are strongly encouraged to apply.

What's on Offer?

• £85,000 - £95,000 basic salary
• Car allowance (where eligible)
• Competitive pension scheme
• BUPA Healthcare & Cash Plan
• Electric vehicle scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Eyecare vouchers
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays and your birthday off
• Opportunity to lead design delivery on a flagship £80 million data centre development
• Exposure to complex engineering, MEP and mission‑critical infrastructure
• Long-term career progression within a highly respected specialist contractor
• An exciting pipeline of future projects across the data centre, defence and energy sectors

Interested?

If you're an experienced Senior Design Manager looking for your next major project, this represents an exceptional opportunity to join a growing specialist contractor at an exciting stage of its development.

You’ll have the chance to take genuine ownership of the design process, influence the delivery of a landmark data centre development and establish yourself as a key member of a highly experienced project team.