Senior Design Manager

Ambit; Slough; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-related bonus

Pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Professional memberships support

Job summary

Ambit is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead design across multiple flagship projects in London. You will shape design strategy, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and ensure builds meet programme, regulatory, and client expectations.

This role offers a collaborative, commercially aware environment with clear career progression and a generous benefits package, including professional development support.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Senior Design Manager or similar role within construction.
• Strong understanding of design management across all project phases.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary design teams on complex projects.
• Knowledge of construction methodologies, building regulations, planning requirements, and industry standards.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to manage project programmes and coordinate design deliverables.
• Experience identifying and resolving design coordination issues.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design process across multiple construction projects.
• Develop design management strategies to support objectives.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams and subcontractors.
• Ensure designs comply with regulations and client requirements.
• Manage design programmes and timely delivery of information.
• Identify and mitigate design risks and opportunities.
• Review and challenge design solutions for buildability and value.
• Facilitate design workshops and stakeholder reviews.
• Support tender submissions and pre-construction activities.
• Ensure clear communication of design information across teams.
• Mentor Design Managers and junior staff.
• Promote continuous improvement and best practice.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Design coordination

Programme management

Regulatory knowledge

Multidisciplinary teams

Education

Architecture degree

Engineering degree

Construction management degree

Job description

Senior Design Manager

Location: London

Company: Ambit

Employment Type: Full-Time

Lead Design Excellence at Ambit

At Ambit, we are dedicated to delivering innovative, high-quality construction and infrastructure projects that leave a lasting impact. As our portfolio continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Design Manager to lead the design process across a range of exciting projects.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a talented design professional to influence project outcomes from concept through to completion, ensuring designs are coordinated, buildable, commercially viable, and aligned with client expectations.

The Role

As a Senior Design Manager, you will provide leadership and strategic direction for the design management function across multiple projects. Working closely with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and project delivery teams, you will ensure all design activities are effectively planned, coordinated, and delivered to programme.

You will play a critical role in driving innovation, managing risk, and ensuring that design solutions support successful project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design process across multiple construction projects.
• Develop and implement design management strategies that support project objectives.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, consultants, and specialist subcontractors.
• Ensure designs are compliant with relevant regulations, standards, and client requirements.
• Manage design programmes and ensure timely delivery of design information.
• Identify and mitigate design-related risks and opportunities.
• Review and challenge design solutions to ensure buildability, value engineering, and commercial viability.
• Facilitate design workshops, coordination meetings, and stakeholder reviews.
• Support tender submissions, pre-construction activities, and project planning.
• Ensure effective communication of design information across project teams.
• Mentor and support Design Managers and junior team members.
• Drive continuous improvement and promote best practice in design management.

About You

You are a collaborative and commercially aware design leader with extensive experience managing complex construction projects. You possess excellent technical knowledge and can successfully balance design quality, programme requirements, and commercial considerations.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a Senior Design Manager, Design Manager, or similar role within the construction industry.
• Strong understanding of design management processes across all project phases.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary design teams on complex projects.
• Knowledge of construction methodologies, building regulations, planning requirements, and industry standards.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to manage project programmes and coordinate multiple design deliverables.
• Experience identifying and resolving technical and design coordination issues.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and problem-solving abilities.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Membership of a recognised professional institution (RIBA, CIOB, ICE, IStructE, CIBSE, or equivalent) is desirable.
• Full UK driving licence.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Performance-related bonus opportunities.
• The opportunity to work on flagship and high-profile projects.
• Clear career development and progression opportunities.
• Professional memberships and training support.
• Pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• A collaborative and inclusive working environment.

Why Join Ambit?

At Ambit, we believe exceptional projects begin with exceptional people. We are committed to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and professional growth, where talented individuals are empowered to make a real impact.

As a Senior Design Manager, you will play a key leadership role in delivering industry-leading projects while helping to shape the future growth and success of our business.