Senior Design Manager

ARC Group Worldwide; Hartford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design consultancy in the UK is looking for a Senior Design Manager to lead multi-disciplinary design teams on commercial projects. This role requires a solid technical background in building compliance and experience in managing refurbishment and retrofit projects. Strong leadership, risk management abilities, and good communication skills are essential. The successful candidate will ensure design outputs meet regulatory standards and enhance energy performance.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant discipline is essential.
• Strong understanding of building compliance and fire safety.
• Experience leading design projects from inception to completion.

Responsibilities

• Lead design teams through all RIBA stages of projects.
• Ensure compliance with building safety regulations.
• Manage design risk and technical assurance.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Technical assurance

Risk management

BIM Level 2 processes

Energy efficiency

Education

Degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related discipline

Job description

As Senior Design Manager, you will lead multi-disciplinary design teams across a variety of commercial property schemes, including high-rise office refurbishments, commercial fit-outs, and complex retrofit projects. You will ensure that all design outputs meet stringent regulatory, fire safety, and building performance standards, particularly within operational and occupied environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate design teams through all RIBA stages for commercial developments and refurbishments.
• Ensure full compliance with building safety regulations, including Gateway processes for applicable higher-risk commercial buildings.
• Oversee BIM Level 2 implementation and drive digital design coordination across all project stages.
• Manage design risk, technical assurance, and quality control for commercial schemes.
• Deliver retrofit solutions that enhance energy performance, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain the golden thread of project information and ensure seamless communication across internal and external stakeholders.
• Produce and review design documentation for commercial planned maintenance programmes and refurbishment work in live, operational environments.

Our client, a respected name within the commercial built environment, is seeking a highly capable Senior Design Manager to oversee the delivery of design and technical solutions across major refurbishment, retrofit, and planned maintenance programmes. This role is ideal for an experienced design professional with a strong technical background and a proven ability to manage complex commercial building projects from inception through to completion.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.
• Strong understanding of commercial building compliance, fire safety strategy, and structural design considerations.
• Proficiency in BIM Level 2 processes and digital design technologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading design delivery on commercial refurbishment, retrofit, or high‑rise property projects.
• Proven capability in managing design assurance, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong knowledge of energy‑efficiency retrofit principles and sustainable design.
• Excellent stakeholder coordination, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience working within operational commercial buildings and delivering planned maintenance programmes.