The Opportunity
We are looking for a Senior Design Manager to join our team in Milton Keynes, supporting the delivery of a major construction project. This is a key leadership role, responsible for driving design excellence and ensuring the successful coordination of all design activities from pre‑construction through to delivery.
You will take a lead role in managing multidisciplinary design teams, working closely with clients, consultants, supply chain partners and internal teams to deliver high‑quality, compliant and buildable solutions.
What You'll Be Doing
* Leading the design management process from early design through to construction and completion
* Coordinating internal and external design teams to achieve programme, quality and cost objectives
* Managing design risk, interfaces and changes across the project lifecycle
* Ensuring compliance with statutory regulations, project requirements and best practice
* Challenging designs to improve buildability, value, sustainability and efficiency
* Supporting pre‑construction, tender and bid activities where required
* Providing technical leadership and mentoring to design management colleagues
* Building strong, collaborative relationships with clients and key stakeholders
What We're Looking For
* Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager (or Design Manager ready to step up) within construction or the built environment
* Strong technical understanding of the design and construction process across multiple disciplines
* Experience working on large or complex construction projects
* Confident leadership and stakeholder engagement skills
* A structured, proactive and solutions‑focused approach
* Strong communication and coordination skills
Why Join Wates?
* Join a purpose‑led, family‑owned business with strong values and a people‑first culture
* Work on a high‑profile, major project with real community impact
* Collaborative and inclusive working environment
* Clear opportunities for career development and progression
* Competitive salary and benefits package, with flexible working arrangements
Our commitments
Wates is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement, as we value transferable skills and assess all applications fairly.
We don't discriminate based on a criminal record; all applications are reviewed on an individual basis against the requirements of the role. Some roles may require additional checks, due to the nature of the work. As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role and opt in to the Disability Confident scheme. Reasonable adjustments are available, please contact us at recruitment@wates.co.uk.
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