Senior Design Manager – Public Sector & MoJ

Wates Group; Warrington; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Wates Smartspace is seeking an experienced Principal Design Manager to lead design delivery from Warrington for a diverse portfolio of fit-out and refurbishment projects, with a focus on public-sector and MoJ frameworks. The role combines hands-on design leadership with strategic oversight across multiple schemes.

You will oversee design management, coordinating internal and external designers, ensuring buildability, compliance and value for money while maintaining client brief alignment and

Qualifications

• Senior-level design professional with experience on technically complex projects.
• Strong capability in design coordination, buildability and design risk management.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage external designers.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the design management strategy across projects and programmes.
• Lead design delivery on public-sector and MoJ framework projects.
• Review designs and perform risk/opportunity appraisals to improve buildability and value.
• Develop realistic design programmes aligned with procurement and construction requirements.
• Coordinate internal and external designers to ensure accurate information and client alignment.
• Work with Commercial and Operations to ensure cost-effectiveness and deliverability.
• Lead technical workshops, design reviews and value engineering activities.
• Identify and manage design-related risk across the project lifecycle.
• Support site teams to resolve design queries and maintain design intent.
• Provide leadership and guidance to Design Managers and the wider team.
• Promote consistency and best practice across the Design function and training.

Skills

Senior leadership

Design coordination

Buildability

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Public-sector delivery

MoJ framework experience

Mentoring Design Managers

Job description

Wates Smartspace is seeking an experienced Principal Design Manager to lead design delivery from Warrington for a diverse portfolio of fit-out and refurbishment projects, with a focus on public-sector and MoJ frameworks. The role combines hands-on design leadership with strategic oversight across multiple schemes.

You will oversee design management, coordinating internal and external designers, ensuring buildability, compliance and value for money while maintaining client brief alignment and