Senior Design Manager

SWG Group; Wolverhampton; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Direct access to Directors

Career stability

Car allowance

Job summary

SWG Group, Pendeford-based main contractor, is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to lead design across pre-construction and live projects in the Midlands. You will set design standards, manage risk and ensure consistent delivery across £500k–£7m schemes, with regular site visits and a hybrid office/remote working pattern.

The role requires leadership, strong knowledge of JCT Design & Build and NEC contracts, and the ability to coordinate multiple consultants and subcontractors while

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a Senior Design Manager or Design Manager in main contractor settings.
• Proven ability to coordinate design across varied project scales and complexities.
• Strong delivery mindset with practical construction knowledge and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead design process from pre-construction to completion.
• Own design coordination under JCT Design & Build and NEC contracts.
• Interact with external consultants and subcontractors as senior contact.
• Ensure design solutions are compliant and commercially aligned across projects £500k–£7m.
• Chair design team and technical coordination meetings.
• Partner with Commercial and Construction teams to deliver design on site.
• Oversee handover information and O&M documentation.

Skills

Senior Design Manager experience

JCT Design & Build & NEC knowledge

Lead design coordination

Commercially aware and risk management

Autonomous leadership

Consultant coordination

Education

Degree in Construction Management / Architecture / Engineering

Chartered status or working towards chartership

Job description

Senior Design Manager

Main Contractor | JCT D&B & NEC | Projects £500k to £7m

Location:

Pendeford, Wolverhampton, WV9 5HA (hybrid, with office, site and remote working)

Contract:

Permanent

Salary:

Circa £70k, commensurate with experience, plus benefits and car allowance

About the Role

We are a well-established regional main contractor delivering a diverse range of public and private sector projects across the Midlands. Our portfolio spans smaller technical schemes (circa £500k) through to larger, more complex developments of up to £7m.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to take ownership of our design function across both pre-construction and live projects. This is the most senior design role within the business, with responsibility for setting standards, managing risk and ensuring consistent design delivery across a varied portfolio.

The role suits a seasoned, contractor-side Design Manager who can scale their approach, providing proportionate design control on smaller schemes whilst leading robust coordination on larger, more complex projects. You will be based at our Pendeford office in Wolverhampton, with regular site visits and the flexibility to work remotely.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design process from pre-construction through to practical completion
• Take overall responsibility for design coordination under JCT Design & Build and NEC contracts
• Act as the senior point of contact for external consultants, designers and specialist subcontractors
• Ensure design solutions are appropriate, compliant and commercially aligned across projects from £500k to £7m
• Chair and lead design team and technical coordination meetings
• Review, interrogate and challenge design information to ensure:
• Buildability and constructability
• Programme certainty
• Cost and risk control
• Manage design risk, design change processes and information release schedules
• Work closely with Commercial and Construction teams to ensure design intent is delivered on site
• Support procurement of design-led and specialist packages
• Oversee handover information, as-built records and O&M documentation
• Develop and maintain proportionate design management procedures suitable for projects of all scales

About You

Essential:

• Significant experience as a Senior Design Manager or Design Manager within a main contractor environment
• Strong working knowledge of JCT Design & Build and NEC forms of contract
• Proven ability to manage and coordinate design on projects of varying scale and complexity
• A practical, delivery-focused mindset with strong construction knowledge
• Commercially aware and confident in managing design risk and change
• Able to operate as the senior design authority, providing clear direction to consultants and project teams
• Comfortable working autonomously and engaging directly with senior management

Desirable:

• Degree or equivalent in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or a related discipline
• Chartered status or working towards chartership (CIOB, RIBA, ICE or similar)

What We Offer

• A senior, trusted role with genuine influence over design delivery
• Varied workload across multiple sectors and project sizes
• Direct access to Directors and decision-makers
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Long-term career stability within a growing regional contractor

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We value diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

No Agencies

We are managing this recruitment process directly and are not working with recruitment agencies for this position. Agency submissions will not be considered.