Design Manager (Building Services) — £80,000
We’re hiring a Design Manager to lead a high-performing mechanical (MEP-coordinated) engineering team delivering complex building-services projects—on brief, on time, and on budget. If you set the technical bar, coach engineers, and keep programmes and profitability on track, this is for you.
What you’ll do
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Lead the design function: set standards, mentor engineers, oversee subcontractors, and plan headcount to meet programme demand.
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Own design governance: ensure designs meet codes, legislation and internal processes; embed safe-by-design through the full lifecycle.
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Produce and sign-off quality outputs: specifications, calculations, reports and coordinated documentation ready for internal/external issue.
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Coordinate projects end-to-end: fee proposals/cost plans, pre-start briefings, design/coordination meetings, client liaison, and milestone delivery.
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Control information & QA: enforce document control (QMS), use current standards, track hours vs budget and support PMs on profitability.
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Grow the pipeline: maintain client relationships, support bids/BD and represent the business at industry events.
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Champion H,S,Q & Risk: model best practice, manage risk and ensure a safe workplace for employees and subcontractors.
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Build people & culture: recruit, develop and recognise your team; share knowledge across functions and promote a collaborative, high-standards culture.
About you
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10+ years’ experience in a comparable building-services/MEP design leadership role.
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Delivery across residential, commercial, healthcare, education and defence.
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Expert at prioritising, hitting deadlines and protecting margin.
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Clear, confident communicator and presenter; strong stakeholder management.
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Proficient with Microsoft 365, load estimation (e.g. Camel), thermal modelling, and sustainability tools (e.g. Green Star / NABERS or BREEAM/LEED equivalents).
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Detail-driven, innovative, strong work ethic, and a passion for coaching others.
What you’ll bring
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A track record of turning complex briefs into compliant, buildable, safe designs.
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The ability to standardise and continuously improve engineering processes.
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Commercial awareness—linking design decisions to programme and profit.
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A collaborative leadership style that lifts performance across the team.
What’s on offer
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£80,000 salary plus benefits.
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Autonomy to shape the design function and processes.
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A supportive culture that backs professional development and progression.
Apply: Send your CV and a short note on your most relevant projects and the team size you’ve led. Let’s build something excellent