Design Manager - Architectural & Facades - Science & Research

Shape one of the UK's most important scientific campuses

We're looking for an experienced Design Manager (Architectural & Facades) to play a pivotal role on the National Biosecurity Centre – a nationally significant, highly complex project at the forefront of science, security and public health.

Initially based from our Fitzrovia, London office, you'll lead the architectural and facades design packages through the PCSA phase
, setting the foundations for technical excellence, buildability and delivery certainty. From 2027, the role will transition to being predominantly site‑based in Weybridge to support detailed delivery and construction.

As a Design Manager specialising in Architecture & Facades
, you'll be a trusted technical lead, ensuring design intent is translated into coordinated, compliant and buildable solutions across a highly regulated environment.

• Lead the architectural and façade design scope from early-stage design development through to construction readiness
• Manage and coordinate consultant architects, façade engineers and specialist designers
• Drive compliance with client requirements, statutory standards, fire safety, sustainability and security requirements
• Own the design programme for your packages, managing dependencies and reporting progress and risk
• Lead and contribute to collaborative design reviews
  , technical assurance and change control
• Ensure design solutions are optimised for buildability, quality, safety, maintenance and whole‑life performance
• Act as a key interface between design, commercial, construction and supply chain teams

This is a role with genuine influence – balancing architectural quality with the realities of delivery on a complex, high‑profile programme.

We're looking for someone who blends strong architectural judgement with robust design management discipline
.

• A degree in Architecture, Architectural Technology, Façade Engineering or a related discipline
• 5+ years' experience managing design on major construction projects
• Proven experience leading architectural and/or façade packages through multiple design stages
• A strong understanding of procurement routes
  , design responsibility and risk management
• Confidence coordinating multiple stakeholders and managing technical interfaces
• Experience working on complex, regulated or high‑security environments (healthcare, laboratories, infrastructure, defence or similar) – highly desirable
• Chartered or working towards chartership with a relevant professional body (e.g. RIBA, CIAT, ICE)

• Be part of a nationally critical project with long‑term societal impact
• Work at the PCSA stage
  , where your influence on outcomes is greatest
• Hybrid working from Fitzrovia
  , moving to a major flagship site in Weybridge
• Collaborate with industry‑leading designers, specialists and constructors
• Work within a business that values technical excellence, innovation and sustainability

We're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are dedicated to ensuring fairness, respect and equal opportunity throughout our recruitment processes and beyond.

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long‑term conditions and disabilities through the ‘Offer an interview scheme'. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know if you would like to opt in to this scheme and let us know if you require any adjustments for the interview process.

We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please email re