Senior Design Manager

Sphere Solutions; West of England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Pension scheme

Private healthcare

Flexible working

Job summary

Sphere Solutions is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead the design process for major South West / Bristol projects. You will coordinate across clients, consultants and delivery teams from bid stage through to completion, ensuring design solutions meet programme requirements and buildability standards.

The role requires strong experience in main contractor environments, CDM 2015 knowledge, and exceptional communication with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Senior Design Manager or Design Manager in a main contractor environment.
• Strong knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015 and design risk management.
• Experience leading design teams on large-scale construction projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the design process across multiple projects.
• Manage relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors and project teams.
• Ensure design solutions are practical, compliant, cost-effective and aligned with programme.
• Oversee consultant appointments, scopes of service and fee schedules.
• Develop and manage design programmes with project planners.
• Monitor information release schedules and design deliverables.
• Manage statutory approvals and third-party processes including planning and Building Control.
• Review design for buildability, sequencing and construction methodology.
• Oversee design change processes and ensure clear communication across stakeholders.
• Undertake site visits and inspections to ensure alignment with design intent.

Skills

CDM Regulations 2015

Stakeholder management

Design coordination

Programme management

Buildability assessment

Communication skills

Commercial awareness

Site inspections

Education

Relevant construction/engineering/architecture/design qualification

Job description

Below, you will find a complete breakdown of everything required of potential candidates, as well as how to apply Good luck.

Location: Bristol (with travel across the South West region)

Salary: Competitive + Car Allowance + Comprehensive Benefits Package

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Senior Design Manager – Construction | Bristol

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Design Manager to join a leading UK main contractor based from their Bristol office, supporting the delivery of high-profile construction projects across the South West region.

This role is ideal for a talented Senior Design Manager, Design Manager, or experienced construction professional looking to take ownership of the design process on major projects while working with clients, consultants, and delivery teams from bid stage through to completion.

With a strong pipeline of work across sectors including education, healthcare, commercial, residential, defence, and public sector developments, this is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in delivering complex, technically challenging schemes.

The Role

As Senior Design Manager, you will lead and coordinate the design process across multiple projects, ensuring design solutions are practical, compliant, cost-effective, and aligned with programme requirements.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Managing relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and project teams throughout the design lifecycle.
• Leading the design management process from pre-construction through to project completion.
• Ensuring compliance with CDM 2015, health and safety legislation, and design risk management principles.
• Identifying and mitigating design risks while maximising opportunities for project success.
• Coordinating consultant appointments, scopes of service, and fee schedules.
• Developing and managing design programmes alongside project planners.
• Monitoring information release schedules and ensuring design deliverables meet programme milestones.
• Managing statutory approvals and third-party processes including planning, Building Control, environmental requirements, and sustainability assessments.
• Reviewing design solutions for buildability, sequencing, and construction methodology.
• Managing design change processes and ensuring effective communication across project stakeholders.
• Undertaking site visits and inspections to ensure construction aligns with design intent and quality standards.

About You

• Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager, Design Manager, or similar role within a main contractor environment.
• Strong knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015 and design risk management.
• Experience managing design teams on large-scale construction projects.
• Excellent understanding of construction methodologies and buildability.
• Ability to interpret and manage design and construction programmes.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience managing design changes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Relevant construction, engineering, architecture, or design qualification.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Car allowance or company vehicle.
• Pension scheme.
• Private healthcare.
• Flexible and agile working arrangements.
• Ongoing professional development and leadership training.
• Clear career progression opportunities within a growing business.
• Opportunity to work on landmark construction projects across the South West.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join one of the UK's most respected construction businesses, renowned for delivering high-quality projects across multiple sectors. With a strong order book and long-term growth strategy, the business offers excellent career stability, professional development, and the chance to work on some of the region's most exciting projects.

If you are an ambitious Senior Design Manager in Bristol, a Construction Design Manager, or a Design Management professional looking for your next challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Keywords

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