Senior Design Manager

Location:

Apsley, Hertfordshire

Type:
Permanent, Full-time, Hybrid

Hours:

Monday-Friday, 40hrs

Salary: £70k - £80k + Car Allowance (dependent on candidate experience)

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Design Manager to come and join an established team based in Apsley, Hemel Hempstead on a hybrid working basis. The Senior Design Manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring consistency and excellence in design management across the full UK portfolio.

This role is responsible for embedding best practices, reporting standards, and performance frameworks across all regions, while also having the flexibility operate as the project level Design Manager on specific, key projects. The Senior Design Manager will mentor and guide others in the Design Management Team whilst driving performance and embedding best practices across the business.

• Ensure consistency in design management practices, tools, and reporting across all UK regions.
• Develop and maintain frameworks for design performance management, including KPIs, Earned Value Analysis (EVA), Design Change Management, and Design Resourcing.
• Support and guide Design Managers across the business, promoting alignment and quality.
• Act as Design Manager on selected projects, leading multidisciplinary design teams and ensuring delivery to scope, time, and budget.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in design quality, efficiency, and innovation.
• Ensure compliance with CDM regulations and embed health and safety considerations into all design phases.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to align design outputs with business objectives and client expectations.
• Support resource planning, recruitment, and development of design teams.
• Promote knowledge sharing, training, and professional development across the design function.
• Mentoring and professional development of other design management staff, fostering a culture of growth, collaboration, and technical excellence.
• Represent the design management function in strategic forums and client engagements.

• Strategic thinker with strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to influence and engage at all levels.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, with a focus on quality and consistency.
• Proactive and analytical, with a drive for continuous improvement.
• Collaborative and adaptable, able to work across diverse teams and regions

• 10+ years in design management, with significant experience in water and wastewater projects.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary design teams and regional design functions.
• Experience balancing strategic oversight with direct project delivery.
• Strong track record in implementing design performance frameworks and managing change.
• Deep understanding of CDM regulations and health & safety integration in design.
• Experience in strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Design Management, or related field.
• Chartered status or working towards it.
• Advanced knowledge of water and wastewater treatment processes and technologies.
• Master’s degree or equivalent in Engineering or Design Management (desirable)
• Project management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) (desirable)
• Familiarity with BIM and digital design tools (desirable)
• Experience in sustainable design and innovation practices (desirable)