Design Manager
Job Description
Design Manager – Leeds Design Office\n\nAre you a strategic leader with a background in project or design management?\nWe’re looking for an experienced Design Manager to lead and manage our Leeds Design Office, ensuring delivery of safe, compliant, and cost-effective design outputs across a range of high-profile infrastructure projects.\n\nThe Role:\n\nAs Design Manager, you’ll oversee all operations of the Leeds Design Office. This includes managing internal and external design resources, setting procedures and processes, and ensuring all design deliverables meet project timelines, budgets, and safety standards. While a technical understanding of design is important, you are not expected to produce drawings or calculations yourself.\n\nYou will work closely with project delivery teams, temporary works specialists, external consultants, and clients to coordinate the complete design process.\n\nKey Responsibilities:\n\n1.
Design Office Operations\n\nLead and manage design delivery for temporary and permanent works across UK and international teams (Beirut & Bahrain).\n\nManage internal resources and supply chain partners.\n\nOversee day-to-day office operations, resource planning, and recruitment needs.\n\nMaintain design management procedures aligned with business standards.\n\nLead on design programme management, document control, and reporting.\n\n2. Project Delivery & Governance\n\nLead design clarification/kick-off meetings and define design scope.\n\nCoordinate internal teams and external consultants to produce integrated design solutions.\n\nOversee design reviews (IDC/IDR), technical audits, and design registers.\n\n3. Quality, Safety & Compliance\n\nEnsure all designs meet contractual and statutory requirements.\n\nSupport CDM 2015 compliance and embed a “right first time” culture.\n\nOversee handover information and O&M contributions.\n\n4.
Commercial & Programme Control\n\n * \n\n Manage design budgets, forecasts, and sub-consultant costs.\n\n * \n\n Track progress against the programme and escalate risks early.\n\n * \n\n Support bid teams during the work-winning process.\n\n5. Leadership & Culture\n\nLine manage a multidisciplinary design team: coaching, development, performance reviews.\n\nPromote a collaborative and innovative culture.\n\nSet and monitor KPIs and drive continuous improvement.\n\n6. Digital Engineering & BIM\n\nPromote model-based coordination (2D/3D/4D) and BIM standards.\n\nEnsure compliance with AIR/EIR and metadata/naming conventions.\n\nKey Performance Indicators:\n\nOn-time design delivery and approvals\n\nEfficient use of internal and external design resources\n\nQuery resolution turnaround time\n\nDesign-related rework and non-conformances\n\nBudget and earned value performance\n\nCDM compliance and risk mitigation\n\nClient satisfaction and handover quality\n\nEssential:\n\n * \n\n Strong background in project or design management within civil engineering/infrastructure.\n\n * \n\n Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary teams across multiple projects.\n\n * \n\n Confident in reviewing and challenging design output (no need to produce drawings).\n\n * \n\n Commercially and programmatically aware, including NEC contracts and change control.\n\n * \n\n Familiar with CDEs (e.g., ProjectWise, Aconex), MS Project/Primavera, and 365 tools.\n\n * \n\n Working knowledge of CDM 2015 and design risk management.\n\nDesirable:\n\n * \n\n Degree/HNC/HND in Civil/Structural Engineering or Construction Management.\n\n * \n\n Chartered or Incorporated status (e.g., ICE, IStructE, APM) or working towards.\n\n * \n\n Experience in temporary works and supply chain design management.\n\n * \n\n Familiarity with BIM processes and digital engineering standards.\n\nReady to lead design delivery on some of the UK’s most exciting civil engineering projects?\n\nApply now with your CV and one of our team will be in touch