Senior Design Manager

Wates Group; Newbury; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Wates Group in Newbury is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead the design management across major construction projects from pre-construction through to delivery. The role requires coordinating multidisciplinary teams, ensuring buildable, compliant designs and strong stakeholder engagement.

You will drive design quality, manage risks and interfaces, and support bid/pre-construction efforts. A proactive, structured leader with excellent communication is essential.

Qualifications

• Leadership and management experience in design teams.
• Strong understanding of design and construction processes across disciplines.
• Experience on large or complex construction projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead design management from pre-construction to delivery.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams and consultants.
• Ensure designs meet statutory, contractual and project requirements.
• Manage design risk, interfaces and change control.
• Influence design solutions to improve buildability, value and sustainability.
• Support bid and pre-construction activity as needed.
• Mentor and lead design management colleagues.
• Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.

Job description

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Senior Design Manager to join our Construction team, based in Newbury. This is a key leadership role, responsible for managing and coordinating the design process across major construction projects, from early pre-construction stages through to completion.

You will play a pivotal role in driving high-quality, compliant and buildable design solutions, working closely with internal teams, consultants, supply chain partners and clients.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading the design management process from pre-construction through to delivery
• Managing and coordinating multidisciplinary design teams and consultants
• Ensuring designs meet statutory, contractual and project requirements
• Managing design risk, interfaces and change control
• Challenging and influencing design solutions to improve buildability, value, sustainability and programme certainty
• Supporting bid and pre-construction activity where required
• Providing mentorship and leadership to design management colleagues
• Building strong, collaborative relationships with clients and key stakeholders

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in a Senior Design Manager role within construction or the built environment
• Strong technical understanding of the design and construction process across multiple disciplines
• Experience working on large or complex construction projects
• Confident leadership and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive, structured and solutions-focused approach
• Excellent communication and coordination skills

Why Join Wates?

• Join a purpose-led, family-owned business with strong values
• Work on high-profile projects with meaningful community impact
• Collaborative, inclusive and supportive team environment
• Clear opportunities for career development and progression
• Competitive salary and benefits package, with flexible working arrangements

Our Commitments

Wates is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement, as we value transferable skills and assess all applications fairly.

We don't discriminate based on a criminal record; all applications are reviewed on an individual basis against the requirements of the role. Some roles may require additional checks, due to the nature of the work. As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role and opt in to the Disability Confident scheme. Reasonable adjustments are available, please contact us at [e-mail]