Design Manager
18 hours ago
Manchester
Job Specification – Design Manager Location: London & surrounding area (some travel required) Salary: £60,000 – £75,000 + package Employer: Leading £1bn-turnover Main Contractor Sector: Data Centres & Mission-Critical Industrial Builds Overview: A top-tier £1bn-turnover main contractor specialising in data centres and mission-critical industrial build projects is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join its high-performing technical team. This role is critical to the successful delivery of complex, high-value, M&E-intensive projects and requires a professional comfortable working in fast-paced, highly technical environments with significant travel requirements. Key Responsibilities: • Lead and manage the design process from tender through construction and handover on large-scale data centre and mission-critical industrial projects., • Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams including architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and specialist vendors., • Review, challenge, and approve design information, ensuring accuracy, buildability, and compliance with client specifications and industry standards., • Manage design programmes, ensuring all deliverables are issued on time to support procurement and construction., • Work closely with internal delivery teams, supply chain partners, and client stakeholders to resolve technical issues., • Oversee design risk management, value engineering, and change control., • Lead design workshops, technical reviews, and interface coordination meetings., • Support tender submissions, design strategy, and bid presentations., • Regularly travel to project sites, design offices, and client locations across the UK and Europe. Required Experience & Qualifications: • Proven Design Manager or Senior Design Coordinator with experience in mission-critical or highly serviced environments (data centres, pharma, labs, hospitals, major M&E projects)., • Strong understanding of both architectural and MEP design principles., • Experience coordinating large-scale, complex £50m+ projects., • Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and BIM models., • Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills., • Strong commercial awareness and understanding of buildability and project sequencing., • HNC/HND or Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or related discipline., • Willingness to travel extensively as project demands require. What’s on Offer: • Competitive salary £60–75k depending on experience., • Travel allowance and full expenses package., • Opportunity to work with one of the UK’s leading data centre and mission-critical contractors., • Clear progression pathways to Senior Design Manager or Technical Lead., • Exposure to high-value, technically complex projects across the UK and Europe.