Senior Design Manager

VolkerWessels UK; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual leave + birthday off

Private medical care

Pension

Life assurance

Cycle to Work scheme

Training and development opportunities

Family-friendly policies

Employee assistance

Job summary

VolkerWessels UK Group's specialist civil engineering arm, VolkerStevin, is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead multidisciplinary teams across maritime, flood risk, defence, energy, water and regeneration projects. The role sits between our Glasgow City Centre office and the Helensburgh project site.

Security clearance is required (BPSS/SC). You will drive design coordination, technical excellence and client liaison, shaping tender approaches and procurement while embedding innovation

Qualifications

• Relevant knowledge and experience in site management and construction techniques.
• Knowledge of design processes.
• Chartered Engineer MICE or equivalent.
• Commercial awareness.
• Preference for marine or M&E works experience.
• Understanding of different client procurement routes.
• Experience of site/contract procedures considered an advantage.
• Ability to organise, plan, programme and manage workloads.
• Bidding experience desirable.
• Background in contractor or engineering practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead the integrated design process across pre-construction and construction phases.
• Challenge technical assumptions to strengthen pre-contract strategy.
• Conduct technical design reviews ensuring compliance and quality.
• Define consultant scopes, responsibilities, and fee agreements.
• Drive value engineering and identify opportunities for value creation.
• Analyse Employer’s Requirements to clarify obligations and design direction.
• Monitor design quality across all deliverables.
• Manage design deliverables to procurement and construction teams.
• Lead and document Design Liaison Meetings.
• Coordinate design interfaces across all disciplines.
• Manage stakeholder relationships throughout the design process.
• Secure client approvals for design solutions and deliverables.
• Control internal scope changes.
• Promote innovation and cost‑effective design thinking.
• Review subcontractor design proposals.
• Maintain drawing and specification registers.
• Facilitate the design risk register.

Skills

Site management

Construction techniques

Design processes

Commercial awareness

Bidding experience

Education

Chartered Engineer (MICE) or equivalent

Job description

VolkerWessels UK Group's specialist civil engineering arm, VolkerStevin, is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead multidisciplinary teams across our maritime, flood risk, defence, energy, water and regeneration projects. The role spans pre‑construction and construction phases, working between our Glasgow City Centre office and the Helensburgh project site.

Security Clearance

This role requires successful attainment and ongoing maintenance of a BPSS/SC security clearance. Eligibility may be influenced by nationality, place of birth, and residency history.

Why This Role Matters

As Senior Design Manager you will drive design coordination and technical excellence, guiding consultants, collaborating with clients, setting tender approaches, influencing procurement, and embedding innovation and value engineering throughout the design journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the integrated design process across pre‑construction and construction phases.
• Challenge technical assumptions to strengthen pre‑contract strategy.
• Conduct technical design reviews ensuring compliance and quality.
• Define consultant scopes, responsibilities, and fee agreements.
• Drive value engineering and identify opportunities for value creation.
• Analyse Employer’s Requirements to clarify obligations and design direction.
• Monitor design quality across all deliverables.
• Manage design deliverables to procurement and construction teams.
• Lead and document Design Liaison Meetings.
• Coordinate design interfaces across all disciplines.
• Manage stakeholder relationships throughout the design process.
• Secure client approvals for design solutions and deliverables.
• Control internal scope changes.
• Promote innovation and cost‑effective design thinking.
• Review subcontractor design proposals.
• Maintain drawing and specification registers.
• Facilitate the design risk register.

About You

• Relevant knowledge and experience in site management and construction techniques.
• Knowledge of design processes.
• Design Managers need to be a Chartered Engineer MICE or equivalent.
• Commercial awareness.
• Preference for marine or M&E works experience.
• Understanding of different client procurement routes.
• Experience of site/contract procedures considered an advantage.
• Ability to organise, plan, programme and manage workloads.
• Bidding experience desirable.
• Background in contractor or engineering practice.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Competitive annual leave plus an additional day off on birthday.
• Option to buy additional annual leave.
• Private medical care.
• Pension.
• Life assurance.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Shopping and restaurant vouchers, rewards and discounts.
• Training and development opportunities – comprehensive skills‑based training.
• Family‑friendly policies including enhanced maternity benefits.
• Employee assistance.
• Flexible working opportunities programme.
• Mental, physical and financial support.
• 24/7 virtual GP service.

VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for all staff, and a mandatory drug and alcohol screening is required for all employees.