Senior Design Manager

Willmott Dixon Group; South Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Willmott Dixon Group is seeking a Senior Design Manager based in Morley for a hybrid role combining office, home, and project site work. You will lead the design process across education, leisure, transport, blue light, commercial and residential sectors, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams to hit programme milestones and cost targets.

You will develop design programmes, oversee consultants, and deliver innovative, compliant technical solutions while maintaining strong stakeholder

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and managing design programmes.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements for construction design.
• Ability to produce cost-effective and creative technical solutions.
• Preconstruction experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design process across disciplines to meet specifications and cost plans.
• Manage appointment and performance of consultants within scope of services.
• Develop a design programme with consultants to meet milestones.
• Deliver cost-effective, innovative technical solutions.
• Chair design team meetings and drive action plans to completion.
• Ensure designs meet statutory approvals with proper tracking.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team management

Design programme development

Cost-effective solutions

Education

Construction degree

CIOB membership (desirable)

Tools

MS Project

Bluebeam

MS Office

3D modelling review software

Job description

Are you ready to lead the design process on some of the most exciting and innovative projects in the region? Willmott Dixon is seeking a Senior Design Manager, based out of our Morley office, you'll enjoy a hybrid working model with time split between the office, home, and projects.

What You'll Do:

As a Design Manager, you'll take ownership of the design process, fostering collaboration across disciplines and driving project success. Leading the design on projects ranging from 10m to 100m across the following sectors: Education, Leisure, Transport, Blue Light, Commercial and Residential. You'll oversee, monitor, and report on design programmes, ensuring high-quality outputs that align with project goals and budgets. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the design process to produce accurate information that meets agreed specifications and cost plans.
• Managing the appointment and performance of consultants in line with their deed and agreed scope of services.
• Developing a design programme with consultants to meet whole-life programme milestones.
• Delivering cost-effective, innovative technical solutions.
• Chairing design team meetings and driving action plans to completion.
• Ensuring designs meet all statutory and regulatory approvals, with comprehensive tracking and documentation.

With a robust pipeline of projects and a transparent outlook, you'll have the confidence that you're joining a stable business with a fantastic culture.

About You

We're looking for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and has a passion for innovative construction solutions. Key skills and attributes include:

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and the ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in developing and managing design programmes.
• Knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements relevant to construction design.
• The ability to produce cost-effective and creative technical solutions.
• Preconstruction experience highly desirable

Essential Criteria

• Working knowledge of the wider construction industry, its challenges and future direction.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Technical knowledge of construction design principles, practices, and systems, including architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines.
• Ability to work within a team environment.
• Able to use Microsoft suite of office programmes including Excel, Word, Outlook and Microsoft Project, Bluebeam, use appropriate software to review 3D models.

Desirable Criteria

• Working towards CIOB or another related professional membership.
• Construction related degree.
• Valid driving licence.

Additional Information

At Willmott Dixon we provide an inclusive and flexible working environment for people to thrive in and we are happy to support agile working wherever possible. We are a proud member of the Disability Confident Scheme.

About Us

With over 170 years of history, Willmott Dixon is a privately owned business with a purpose beyond profit - delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment for future generations. In 2025, we were recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 Big Companies to Work For, ranked in the Top Five of Europe's 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times, and became the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.