Senior Design Manager: Lead Multidisciplinary Projects

HDR; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead the design delivery of complex multidisciplinary engineering projects in the UK. You will manage internal disciplines, coordinate stakeholders and drive programme, quality and commercial performance while maintaining technical excellence.

You will mentor teams, support business development, ensure safety and HDR quality standards, and uphold ISO requirements across projects in Manchester, London or Glasgow.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, construction management or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in engineering, design management or project delivery within a design consultancy.
• Demonstrable experience leading multidisciplinary projects and design teams.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng), Chartered Project Professional (ChPP), or equivalent preferred.
• Experience delivering mission-critical infrastructure or complex building projects desirable.
• Strong leadership and multidisciplinary design management experience.
• Excellent client-facing, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Strong knowledge of project delivery methodologies, risk management and change control.
• Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and project performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary project teams in the design delivery of complex projects from inception through completion.
• Act as Deputy Project Manager or Project Manager subject to scale and complexity of project.
• Establish project objectives, delivery strategies and execution plans aligned with client requirements.
• Manage project scope, programme, quality, resources and budget to achieve agreed project outcomes.
• Develop and maintain integrated design delivery programmes, identifying critical interfaces and dependencies.
• Coordinate and lead internal disciplines, external consultants, contractors and client stakeholders.
• Ensure effective communication, coordination and information flow throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive technical excellence and ensure all deliverables meet project requirements, industry standards and HDR quality expectations.
• Champion innovation, buildability and efficient design solutions across all project stages.
• Monitor project performance against schedule, budget and quality metrics.
• Proactively identify, manage and elevate project risks and commercial issues.
• Implement and maintain robust change management and change control processes.
• Assess the impacts of scope changes on programme, cost and quality.
• Support project forecasting, financial performance monitoring and invoicing activities.
• Maintain awareness of contractual obligations and ensure compliance with client requirements.
• Record and communicate scope changes that may impact project fees or commercial outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Project management

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or related

Tools

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office

Job description

HDR is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead the design delivery of complex multidisciplinary engineering projects in the UK. You will manage internal disciplines, coordinate stakeholders and drive programme, quality and commercial performance while maintaining technical excellence.

You will mentor teams, support business development, ensure safety and HDR quality standards, and uphold ISO requirements across projects in Manchester, London or Glasgow.