Senior Design Manager

HDR; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead the design delivery of complex multidisciplinary engineering projects in the UK. You will manage internal disciplines, coordinate stakeholders and drive programme, quality and commercial performance while maintaining technical excellence.

You will mentor teams, support business development, ensure safety and HDR quality standards, and uphold ISO requirements across projects in Manchester, London or Glasgow.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, construction management or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in engineering, design management or project delivery within a design consultancy.
• Demonstrable experience leading multidisciplinary projects and design teams.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng), Chartered Project Professional (ChPP), or equivalent preferred.
• Experience delivering mission-critical infrastructure or complex building projects desirable.
• Strong leadership and multidisciplinary design management experience.
• Excellent client-facing, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Strong knowledge of project delivery methodologies, risk management and change control.
• Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and project performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary project teams in the design delivery of complex projects from inception through completion.
• Act as Deputy Project Manager or Project Manager subject to scale and complexity of project.
• Establish project objectives, delivery strategies and execution plans aligned with client requirements.
• Manage project scope, programme, quality, resources and budget to achieve agreed project outcomes.
• Develop and maintain integrated design delivery programmes, identifying critical interfaces and dependencies.
• Coordinate and lead internal disciplines, external consultants, contractors and client stakeholders.
• Ensure effective communication, coordination and information flow throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive technical excellence and ensure all deliverables meet project requirements, industry standards and HDR quality expectations.
• Champion innovation, buildability and efficient design solutions across all project stages.
• Monitor project performance against schedule, budget and quality metrics.
• Proactively identify, manage and elevate project risks and commercial issues.
• Implement and maintain robust change management and change control processes.
• Assess the impacts of scope changes on programme, cost and quality.
• Support project forecasting, financial performance monitoring and invoicing activities.
• Maintain awareness of contractual obligations and ensure compliance with client requirements.
• Record and communicate scope changes that may impact project fees or commercial outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Project management

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or related

Tools

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office

Job description

Responsibilities

Project & Design Leadership

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story' Each and every role throughout our organisation makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centre's driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you’re optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next-generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.

About The Role

As a Senior Design Manager (Internal title: Project Manager), you will lead the design delivery of complex multidisciplinary engineering and design projects, ensuring successful outcomes in programme, budget, quality, safety and client satisfaction. You will provide leadership to project teams, coordinate internal disciplines and external stakeholders, manage project risks and commercial matters, and drive excellence in project execution. The role combines strong project management disciplines with design leadership, requiring the ability to manage multiple workstreams, influence senior stakeholders, and maintain a focus on technical quality, programme certainty and commercial performance. You will also support business development activities and contribute to the growth and continuous improvement of the practice.

About You

We are seeking a Senior Design Manager who is personable a self-starter with a positive, professional ‘can do’ attitude and the ability to maintain strong working relationships, who is able to work collaboratively across disciplines and establish effective rapport with team members, the wider business and clients. someone with strong leadership capability with ability to motivate, coach and guide diverse teams. You will need excellent facilitation and communication skills (written and verbal), including leading meetings and producing clear minutes/actions. Strong document handling and quality discipline; comfortable managing transmittals, registers and approval workflows.

Responsibilities

Project & Design Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary project teams in the design delivery of complex projects from inception through completion
• Act as Deputy Project Manager or Project Manager subject to scale and complexity of project
• Establish project objectives, delivery strategies and execution plans aligned with client requirements
• Manage project scope, programme, quality, resources and budget to achieve agreed project outcomes
• Develop and maintain integrated design delivery programmes, identifying critical interfaces and dependencies
• Coordinate and lead internal disciplines, external consultants, contractors and client stakeholders
• Ensure effective communication, coordination and information flow throughout the project lifecycle
• Drive technical excellence and ensure all deliverables meet project requirements, industry standards and HDR quality expectations
• Champion innovation, buildability and efficient design solutions across all project stages

Programme, Risk and Commercial Management

• Monitor project performance against schedule, budget and quality metrics.
• Proactively identify, manage and elevate project risks and commercial issues.
• Implement and maintain robust change management and change control processes.
• Assess the impacts of scope changes on programme, cost and quality.
• Support project forecasting, financial performance monitoring and invoicing activities.
• Maintain awareness of contractual obligations and ensure compliance with client requirements.
• Record and communicate scope changes that may impact project fees or commercial outcomes

Design Coordination & Delivery

• Lead Design Team Meetings and project coordination workshops.
• Manage RFIs, technical queries, design reviews and design assurance activities.
• Oversee design transmittals, project documentation and information management processes.
• Ensure project records, registers and documentation are maintained in accordance with QA procedures.
• Coordinate resolution of technical and design delivery challenges across all disciplines.
• Ensure lessons learned are captured and incorporated into future project delivery

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as a key point of contact for clients and project stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships and maintain a high level of client satisfaction.
• Facilitate decision-making and ensure project objectives remain aligned with client expectations.
• Lead client meetings, progress reviews and project reporting activities.
• Support post-project reviews and client feedback initiatives.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, motivate and develop project teams to deliver high performance.
• Provide mentoring, coaching and regular feedback to team members.
• Support resource planning and workload management across projects.
• Contribute to recruitment, succession planning and capability development.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
• Promote an inclusive and positive team environment that encourages innovation and accountability

Business Development & Practice Support

• Support business development activities and client relationship management.
• Assist with proposals, presentations and project pursuits.
• Identify opportunities for cross-selling services and expanding client relationships.
• Support marketing initiatives, industry events and strategic growth activities.
• Contribute to the ongoing improvement of project management processes, tools and standards

General Duties

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture across all projects.
• Support implementation of HDR Quality Management Systems and best practice.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 requirements.
• Participate in project audits, technical reviews and governance processes.
• Support senior leadership with operational, technical and strategic initiatives as required.
• Perform other duties as appropriate to the role and business needs

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in engineering, design management or project delivery within a design consultancy.
• Demonstrable experience leading multidisciplinary projects and design teams.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng), Chartered Project Professional (ChPP), or equivalent professional accreditation preferred.
• Experience delivering mission-critical, infrastructure, data centre or complex building projects desirable.
• Strong leadership and multidisciplinary design management experience.
• Excellent client-facing, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Strong understanding of project delivery methodologies, risk management and change control.
• Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and project performance.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Strong knowledge of engineering design processes and project lifecycle management.
• Competent in Microsoft Office applications and Microsoft Project or equivalent planning software.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment while maintaining high technical standards

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location: United Kingdom-England-London

Other Locations: United Kingdom-Scotland-Glasgow, United Kingdom-England-Manchester

Industry: Building Engineering

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Program Management

Job Posting: Aug 18, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affinative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.