Senior Design Manager
1 day ago
Wigan
Location: Wigan and ManchesterSalary: Upon ApplicationEmployment Type: Full-time, PermanentReporting To: Technical DirectorDepartment: Pre-Construction Join the Disruption!Domis Construction is a leading main contractor delivering complex, high-profile residential and commercial developments across the North West and beyond. Working closely with our in-house businesses, consultants and specialist supply chain, we combine technical expertise, commercial awareness and practical delivery experience to develop coordinated, buildable and cost-effective solutions. We are seeking a Senior Pre-Construction MEP Design Manager to lead all Mechanical, Electrical, Public Health and specialist systems design activities during the pre-construction phase of our projects. The Role:The Senior Pre-Construction MEP Design Manager will provide technical leadership from bid stage through to project award and the successful handover into construction. Working directly with the Domis Pre-Construction team, the role will act as the key link between the Group’s MEP division, external MEP consultants, clients, specialist subcontractors and internal delivery teams. You will ensure that building services designs are coordinated, compliant, commercially viable, buildable and aligned with project programme and cost requirements. Key Responsibilities:Lead the MEP design management process from tender stage through to contract awardReview Employer’s Requirements, specifications, tender information and associated technical documentationPrepare and coordinate the MEP elements of the Contractor’s ProposalsDevelop and implement project-specific MEP design management strategiesManage consultant and specialist subcontractor design developmentCoordinate Mechanical, Electrical, Public Health and specialist building services systemsEnsure effective multidisciplinary coordination across architectural, structural, civil and MEP disciplinesDevelop and manage design programmes to support tender submissions, procurement and construction requirementsIdentify technical risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategiesMaintain design risk, assumption, responsibility and interface registersEnsure design information is issued in line with agreed programme requirementsMonitor consultant performance and manage the timely completion of design deliverablesChair internal and external design coordination meetings Specialist Systems ManagementSmoke control, smoke clearance and stair pressurisation systemsFirefighting shaft ventilationFire detection, alarm and cause-and-effect strategiesEmergency Voice Communication and disabled refuge systemsEmergency lighting and life safety electrical systemsSprinkler, water mist and gaseous fire suppression systemsFire and smoke dampersHV and LV electrical infrastructureBusbar and busduct systemsStandby generators, UPS and central battery systemsBuilding Management and Energy Management SystemsSecurity, access control, CCTV and intruder alarm systemsStructured cabling and ICT infrastructureAudio visual and public address systemsLift interfacesPhotovoltaic and battery storage systemsDistrict heating and utility infrastructureMedical gases and pneumatic tube systems, where applicable Ensure that all specialist systems are coordinated, compliant with statutory requirements and fully integrated into the overall building design. Technical LeadershipProvide technical leadership throughout the bid and pre-construction processReview designs against Employer’s Requirements, British Standards, Building Regulations and project-specific requirementsEnsure compliance with relevant legislation and guidance, including:Building RegulationsBuilding Safety Act requirementsBS 7671CIBSE guidanceBSRIA guidanceCDM RegulationsFire engineering strategiesSustainability and energy performance requirementsReview energy strategies and building performance requirementsPromote Modern Methods of Construction and off-site manufactureDrive design standardisation, technical improvement and innovationProvide practical and commercially informed technical guidance to the wider project team Design CoordinationLead MEP BIM coordination alongside the BIM management teamReview clash detection reports and coordinate the resolution of design conflictsManage interfaces between MEP systems, specialist packages and the wider building designReview cause-and-effect matrices and integrated systems testing strategiesEnsure commissioning requirements are considered throughout the design processReview designs for buildability, maintainability, accessibility and safe operationEnsure specialist subcontractor designs are coordinated before procurement and constructionSupport the Domis and Matic builders’ work coordination processEnsure plant spaces, risers, service zones, access requirements and builders’ work openings are adequately coordinated Commercial ResponsibilitiesSupport estimating teams by providing technical reviews and design inputReview specialist subcontractor tenders, qualifications and technical submissionsParticipate in value engineering and value creation workshopsIdentify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality, compliance or performanceAssess the technical and commercial implications of design changesSupport the development of procurement strategiesAssist commercial teams during tender clarification and negotiation processesEnsure designs take full account of agreed project cost parameters Client and Stakeholder ManagementAct as the principal MEP design representative during pre-constructionBuild effective relationships with clients, consultants, specialist subcontractors and internal teamsPresent technical proposals during tender interviews and client meetingsLead technical design workshops and coordination reviewsResolve technical issues collaboratively and within agreed timescalesCommunicate complex technical matters clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholdersEnsure client requirements are understood, managed and reflected within the design Handover to Construction TeamsLead the MEP design handover from pre-construction into project deliveryPrepare comprehensive design handover documentationBrief project, commercial and operational delivery teamsClearly communicate residual risks, design assumptions, exclusions and outstanding actionsEnsure continuity of design responsibility between pre-construction and constructionSupport the early stages of project mobilisation where required Requirements:A minimum of 10 years’ experience within the building services industryExtensive experience working for a main contractor or Tier 1 MEP contractorExperience managing MEP design on complex projects with values exceeding £30 millionStrong understanding of Design and Build procurementProven experience managing external consultants and specialist subcontractor designExperience of tender, pre-construction and project mobilisation processesStrong working knowledge of BIM processes and ISO 19650Good understanding of commissioning, integrated systems testing and project handover requirementsExperience coordinating complex life safety and specialist building services systemsStrong commercial awareness and the ability to balance design quality, programme, risk and cost QualificationsDegree, HNC or HND in Building Services Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related disciplineChartered status or actively working towards chartership is desirableSMSTS certificationRelevant CSCS cardMembership of an appropriate professional institution is desirable Software KnowledgeAn understanding of the following platforms would be beneficial, although direct experience with every system is not essential:RevitNavisworksAutoCADBIM 360 or Autodesk Construction CloudSolibriBluebeamMicrosoft ProjectPrimavera P6Microsoft Office Personal AttributesExcellent written and verbal communicatorStrong and credible technical leaderCommercially aware and solutions focusedCollaborative and able to work across multiple disciplinesClient focused with strong stakeholder management skillsHighly organised with the ability to manage competing prioritiesProactive, decisive and comfortable taking ownershipAble to identify risks early and drive actions through to completionCommitted to quality, innovation and continuous improvement Key Performance IndicatorsCompliance with agreed design programmesReduction in design-related technical and commercial riskValue engineering and value creation savingsQuality and completeness of design coordinationConsultant and specialist subcontractor performanceClient and internal stakeholder satisfactionSuccessful transition from pre-construction into project deliveryReduction in post-contract design changes, delays and coordination issues Why Join Us?Lead MEP design management on major, technically complex developmentsInfluence projects from the earliest design and tender stagesWork closely with Domis’ in-house MEP expertise and established specialist supply chainJoin a collaborative, commercially focused and delivery-led pre-construction teamBenefit from opportunities for continued professional development and career progressionWe are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.