Senior Design Manager

Fawkes & Reece Group; London; On-site; NOK 1,148,000 - 1,531,000; Full time

Job summary

Fawkes & Reece Group in London is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to take ownership of the design management function from pre-construction through to project completion. The role requires travel between projects and close collaboration with internal teams, consultants, and stakeholders to guarantee design excellence and programme certainty.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams across several schemes, coordinate design outputs, and drive value engineering while maintaining rigorous

Qualifications

• Proven track record as a Senior Design Manager or Design Manager on major schemes.
• Experience with a Tier 1 main contractor.
• Strong knowledge of RIBA Stages 3–6.
• Background delivering complex, site-based projects.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams with excellent communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design process from pre-construction through delivery.
• Coordinate and oversee consultant and subcontractor design outputs.
• Ensure design compliance with statutory, regulatory, and employer's requirements.
• Carry out design assurance, technical reviews, and buildability assessments.
• Identify and manage design risks, driving value engineering opportunities.
• Lead design change control, assessing programme and cost implications.
• Maintain accurate records of design submissions, approvals, and revisions.
• Collaborate with construction, commercial, and procurement teams.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance to Design Managers within the team.

Skills

Senior Design Manager

Tier 1 contractor

RIBA Stages 3-6

Multidisciplinary leadership

Site-based projects

Job description

Reference: VAC-8682_1790757988
Posted: September 30, 2026

Datacentres Projects | Industrial Projects | Great Progression

An outstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Design Manager to join a leading Tier 1 Main Contractor delivering a portfolio of Industrial & Datacentres projects across London.

With a strong pipeline of complex hospital schemes, this role offers the chance to play a key leadership position across multiple projects, contributing to the successful delivery of technically challenging and high-profile developments.

The Role

As Senior Design Manager, you will take ownership of the design management function across several schemes, ensuring design excellence from pre-construction through to project completion.

This is a dynamic, multi-site role requiring travel between projects, working closely with internal teams, consultants, and stakeholders to drive coordination, quality, and programme certainty.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design process from pre-construction through delivery
• Coordinate and oversee consultant and subcontractor design outputs
• Ensure design compliance with statutory, regulatory, and employer's requirements
• Carry out design assurance, technical reviews, and buildability assessments
• Identify and manage design risks, driving value engineering opportunities
• Lead design change control, assessing programme and cost implications
• Maintain accurate records of design submissions, approvals, and revisions
• Collaborate closely with construction, commercial, and procurement teams
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance to Design Managers within the team

Skills & Experience

• Proven track record in a Senior Design Manager or Design Manager role on major projects
• Experience working for a Tier 1 or large main contractor
• Strong understanding of RIBA Stages 3-6
• Background in delivering complex, site-based projects
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex design interfacesExcellent communication, coordination, and leadership skills

Why Apply?

• Long-term pipeline offering stability and career progression
• Key leadership role within a highly respected Tier 1 contractor