Senior Design Manager

Watkin Jones; Eccleston; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading residential development firm in the UK is seeking a Design Manager to coordinate high-quality design solutions across various projects. The ideal candidate will manage the design process from concept through delivery while ensuring compliance with sustainability goals and commercial drivers. Key responsibilities include consulting with teams, managing submissions, and identifying value engineering opportunities. Benefits include flexible working arrangements, competitive salary, and a range of employee rewards.

Benefits

25 days of annual leave

Agile working arrangements

Discounted gym memberships

Health cash plan

Life insurance

Company car or allowance

Qualifications

• Experience in a design or technical coordination role.
• Understanding of construction methods and commercial drivers.
• Experience with Purpose Built Student Accommodation or Build to Rent schemes is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate design deliverables across multiple disciplines.
• Support consultant appointments to ensure compliance.
• Manage submissions to clients and statutory bodies.
• Identify opportunities for value engineering.
• Contribute to sustainability initiatives.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Stakeholder management

Understanding of design processes

Interest in sustainability

Collaborative approach

Job description

Are you a skilled design professional looking to take the next step in your career? We're seeking a Design Manager who can coordinate and deliver high-quality design solutions across a diverse portfolio of projects. This is a fantastic opportunity to combine creativity, technical know-how, and commercial awareness in a role that makes a real impact.

You’ll play a key part in managing the design process from concept through to delivery—ensuring projects meet customer expectations, business objectives, and sustainability goals. Working closely with consultants, contractors, and internal teams, you’ll help turn ideas into reality while maintaining high standards of safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

Location

Chester office (with flexible home working)

Travel

To project sites as required

What You’ll Do

In this role, you’ll coordinate design deliverables across multiple disciplines and support consultant appointments to ensure compliance with agreed scopes. You’ll assist with proposals within BIM and commercial constraints, provide input on buildability and technical feasibility, and track progress throughout the design process. You’ll manage submissions to clients and statutory bodies, identify opportunities for value engineering and offsite / prefabrication, and contribute to sustainability initiatives. Alongside this, you’ll support procurement planning and help capture and share best practices across the business.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in a design or technical coordination role.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Understanding of design processes, construction methods, and commercial drivers.
• Interest in sustainability and innovation.
• Experience with PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation) or BTR (Build to Rent) schemes is highly desirable.
• Collaborative, proactive, and solution-focused approach.

Why Choose Watkin Jones Group?

You’ll be part of a dynamic team delivering projects that shape modern living spaces. We offer flexibility, career development opportunities, and the chance to work on projects that make a real difference.

At Watkin Jones, we believe in investing in our people. Here’s what we can offer you :

Work-Life Balance

• 25 days of annual leave (increasing with tenure), agile working arrangements, and discounted gym memberships.
• Access to ‘Your Wellbeing’ programme & OpenUp – a confidential wellbeing platform.

Rewards

• Discretionary annual bonus, health cash plan, life insurance of 3 x salary and more.

Benefits

• Company Car or Car Allowance, exclusive shopping discounts, and a contributory pension scheme.

This is an opportunity to take on a high-impact role within a forward-thinking company. In return, we offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the chance to work on major projects that shape the built environment.

Watkin Jones Group is the UK's leading developer, builder, and manager of residential-for-rent homes, with a rich history dating back to 1791. With 54,000+ homes developed and in-build across over 254 schemes, we have a proven track record of success. Our operating arm, Fresh, manages over 18,500 units across 58 schemes, representing approximately £1.7bn of assets under management.

Joining us means becoming part of a company that's not only deeply rooted in history but also firmly focused on the future. We’re committed to creating high-quality rental homes, fostering vibrant communities, and driving sustainable development.