Senior Design Manager

Position: Senior Design Manager

Location: Hampshire

Salary: 80,000 - 95,000 + Package

Hays Construction is proud to partner with a leading main contractor on an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Design Manager to join their team in Hampshire. This role offers the chance to lead design delivery on high-profile, technically complex projects across sectors including healthcare, education, commercial, and public sector frameworks. With a strong pipeline of work in the region, this is a fantastic opportunity to influence design strategy and deliver projects that make a real impact on communities.

About the Role

As Senior Design Manager, you will take ownership of the design process from pre-construction through to delivery, ensuring compliance, buildability, and innovation throughout. You'll work closely with clients, consultants, and internal teams to manage design risk, drive value engineering, and guarantee that all design outputs meet programme, budget, and quality requirements.This is a leadership role where you will mentor junior design managers, chair design meetings, and act as the key liaison between stakeholders. You will also play a critical role in statutory approvals, technical compliance, and ensuring that designs align with sustainability and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design process across multiple projects, from tender stage to completion
• Develop and manage design programmes and information schedules
• Chair design coordination meetings and manage consultant performance.
• Ensure compliance with building regulations, health & safety, and client requirements
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in design delivery
• Identify and implement value engineering opportunities
• Manage risk and resolve technical issues proactively
• Mentor and support junior design managers and coordinators

Ideal Candidate

• Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager within a large main contractor
• Strong technical knowledge of construction methodology and design management processes
• Experience delivering projects in sectors such as healthcare, education, or commercial
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex design programmes

Salary & Benefits

• 80,000 - 95,000 (DOE)
• Car allowance or company car
• Private healthcare
• Pension scheme
• 26 days holiday + bank holidays
• Flexible working options
• Industry-leading family leave benefits

To apply, simply click the link to submit your CV or email your application directly For any queries, you can also contact our Hays Southampton office.

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