Location
Central London Office

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Competitive salary with profit share scheme

About the Role
Wates are seeking a Senior Design Manager to join our Construction division, partnering with the Department for Education (DfE). This role is ideal for a professional with strong experience overseeing design principles for new-build, refurbishment, and complex construction projects. Based in Central London, you will support a pipeline of impactful education schemes that shape the environments where future generations learn and thrive.

As a Senior Design Manager, you will play a critical role in driving quality outcomes, enhancing buildability, and fostering innovation. You will collaborate closely with clients, project teams, and industry specialists to ensure designs evolve in line with the brief, focusing on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice.

Your key responsibilities will include:
- Undertaking detailed risk and opportunity appraisals to mitigate risk, enhance buildability, and add value before construction.
- Managing internal and external designers to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with client and project requirements.
- Developing and managing realistic design programmes and information requirement schedules in collaboration with Project Teams, Lead Designers, and the wider Consultant Team.
- Supporting commercial teams by managing design-related financial risks, assisting with procurement of specialist materials, and ensuring commercial viability.
- Working closely with Operations and Commercial colleagues to produce coordinated, buildable, and budget-conscious design solutions.
- Participating in technical workshops and value management sessions.
- Liaising with site teams to resolve design queries promptly, conducting site visits, and ensuring construction aligns with design intent at every stage.
- Mentoring and guiding junior design managers to foster a collaborative and consistent approach across design outputs.

What we will offer you
Competitive salary and profit share scheme, flexible working, car allowance or company car (subject to role/grade), travel expenses covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates), extensive corporate benefits including private medical, pension with 8% employer contribution, health and wellness programme, 26 days holiday plus bank holidays, and much more.

We provide an excellent range of learning and development activities to support your career progression, alongside industry-leading family leave benefits including 26 weeks fully paid maternity leave and 12 weeks fully paid paternity leave.

Experience
Proven experience managing design principles for new-build, refurbishment, and complex construction projects. Strong track record in risk and opportunity appraisals, managing design teams, and delivering buildable, compliant, and commercially viable design solutions.

About you
Collaborative and innovative with excellent communication skills. Able to work closely with clients, project teams, and site personnel. Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor junior staff. Detail-oriented with a focus on quality, compliance, and commercial outcomes.

Qualifications
Relevant professional qualifications in design, construction, or related disciplines are desirable. Commitment to continuous professional development and adherence to best practice standards.