Senior Design Manager

Wates Group; Oldham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction company in the UK is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead high-rise refurbishment programs and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Candidates must have a degree in a relevant field and experience in managing design teams on complex projects. This position offers the opportunity to drive sustainability initiatives within the built environment.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of HRB design compliance, fire safety, and structural integrity.
• Experience leading design teams on complex refurbishment and retrofit projects.
• Proficient in maintaining design assurance and project information.

Responsibilities

• Lead design teams through all RIBA stages and compliance processes.
• Manage design risk and assurance for Higher-Risk Buildings.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on maintenance schemes.

Skills

Leadership in design risk management

RIBA stage management

Retrofit design principles

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management

Tools

BIM Level 2

Digital design tools

Job description

Senior Design Manager

WPS are looking for a highly skilled Senior Design Manager to lead the delivery of planned maintenance and refurbishment programmes within high-rise buildings, as well as retrofit projects across the North West. This role is ideal for someone with a strong technical background and leadership experience in managing complex design challenges in occupied homes, including higher-risk buildings.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead design teams through all RIBA stages, ensuring compliance with Building Safety Act and Building Safety Regulator Gateway process.
• Manage design risk and assurance processes, particularly for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs).
• Oversee BIM Level 2 and digital design coordination.
• Deliver retrofit schemes that meet energy efficiency and sustainability goals.
• Maintain the golden thread of information throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on occupied building works and planned maintenance schemes.

Qualifications

• Degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management.
• Strong understanding of HRB design compliance, fire safety, and structural integrity.
• Proficient in BIM Level 2 and digital design tools.

Skills

• Proven leadership in managing design risk for HRBs.
• Expertise in RIBA stage management and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with retrofit design principles, energy efficiency, and sustainability.
• Excellent problem-solving, coordination, and communication skills.

Experience

• Leading design teams on complex refurbishment and retrofit projects.
• Experience in planned maintenance schemes and occupied building works.
• Managing design assurance and maintaining the golden thread of project information.

Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant’s criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.

Work for Wates

Wates is one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies. Founded over 125 years ago, we have a proud legacy in the built environment.

We are driven by our purpose, ‘reimagining places for people to thrive’ and our three promises :

Thriving places – working with customers, partners and communities to create places that are more sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity.

Thriving planet – protecting nature and taking action on climate change by collaborating and innovating with our partners.

Thriving people – creating opportunities and relationships so that everyone who works for and with us feels included, invested in, and treated with care.

We are proud to be recognised as Gold Investors in People and as a Disability Confident employer. We also ensure that our recruitment processes do not treat anyone less favourably due to an offending background.