Senior Design Manager

SENIOR DESIGN MANAGER

Location:

Taunton
Company:
Leading Tier 1 Contractor
Salary: £65,000 - £75,000 + Benefits
Benefits:
Car or Car Allowance, Bonus, Pension, Healthcare and more extensive benefits

You'll be joining a well-established, financially robust company with deep roots in the UK market and a strong reputation built over many decades. The business is family‑owned and operated, blending traditional values with a modern, forward‑thinking approach to design and delivery. It has grown into one of the most successful privately held contractors in the country, working across a wide range of sectors including commercial, education, healthcare, defence, residential and more.

With a broad geographic footprint and regional teams nationwide, the organisation combines local delivery capability with the backing and expertise of a national contractor, delivering projects from smaller programmes to complex, high‑value builds. A strong focus on client satisfaction and repeat business underpins its long‑standing relationships with key public and private sector clients.

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager or Senior Design Manager to deliver a diverse portfolio including Office developments, Schools / Education, MOD, and Student Accommodation projects across the South West. These roles are suited to individuals operating at Design Manager level, capable of independently managing the design process on their own projects from pre‑construction through to completion.

Investment in people is central to the culture, with ongoing training, development opportunities and a clear commitment to career progression.

• Proven Tier 1 or Main Contractor experience
• Currently operating at Design Manager level or above
• Strong technical understanding of building design and construction processes
• Experience delivering projects in one or more of the listed sectors
• Ability to manage your own projects independently
• Strong leadership, coordination, and communication skills
• For senior candidates: demonstrable experience overseeing multiple projects concurrently

• Manage and coordinate the design process through all RIBA stages
• Lead design team meetings and manage consultant performance
• Work closely with Pre‑Construction, Commercial, and Site teams to de‑risk projects
• Manage design programmes, information release schedules, and change control
• Identify and mitigate design and technical risks
• Support procurement and construction activities with robust technical input
• Maintain strong communication with internal and external stakeholders