Design Manager

Design Manager

Location:

Hybrid Working - UK (Office, Home & Site-Based)

Employment Type:

Full-Time, Permanent
Are you an experienced Design Manager with a background in petroleum retail, forecourt, fuel infrastructure or EV charging?
I am currently working with a leading organisation that is looking to appoint an experienced Design Manager to lead the coordination, development and delivery of design solutions across a range of retail fuel, convenience retail, forecourt and EV infrastructure projects throughout the UK.
This is an exciting opportunity for a Design Manager to take a key role in a varied project portfolio, acting as the main design interface between clients, consultants, architects, engineers, contractors and specialist suppliers.
The role combines design management and coordination with regular site visits, project scoping, design reviews, cost assurance and stakeholder engagement.

The Role

As Design Manager, you will take responsibility for managing multidisciplinary design teams and ensuring projects are delivered in line with technical, commercial, regulatory and operational requirements.
Your responsibilities will include:

Leading and managing the design process across retail fuel, forecourt, convenience retail and EV charging projects
Coordinating multidisciplinary design teams including architects, civil and structural engineers, planning consultants and specialist suppliers
Managing design programmes, deliverables, design reviews, approvals and key project milestones
Ensuring designs meet client requirements, operational needs, regulatory obligations and budget constraints
Facilitating design review meetings and coordinating responses to technical queries
Identifying design risks, constraints and opportunities throughout project development
Acting as a key point of contact for clients and stakeholders throughout project delivery
Presenting feasibility studies, concept designs and design options
Providing technical guidance and recommendations to support client decision-making
Building strong relationships with clients, consultants, architects, contractors and regulatory authorities
Undertaking site visits and surveys to assess project feasibility and identify design constraints
Reviewing existing site conditions, utilities, operational requirements and development opportunities
Supporting the development of project scopes and design briefs
Coordinating the design and implementation of EV charging infrastructure projects
Working collaboratively with project controls, commercial teams, power teams and other design managers
Coordinating design interfaces relating to grid connections, power availability, charger layouts, civil works and customer experience
Supporting programme management to ensure the timely delivery of projects
Reviewing design proposals against project budgets and commercial objectives
Participating in cost assurance and value engineering exercises
Ensuring designs balance operational performance, safety, constructability, sustainability and whole-life cost
Maintaining compliance with relevant legislation, industry standards and client design requirements

About You

The successful candidate will have proven experience managing multidisciplinary design teams and delivering projects within one or more of the following sectors:

Petroleum retail
Forecourt development
Fuel infrastructure
Convenience retail
EV charging infrastructure
Energy or mobility infrastructure
You will ideally have:

A degree or equivalent qualification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Design Management or a related discipline
Proven experience managing multidisciplinary design teams
Strong knowledge of UK planning, design and construction processes
Experience coordinating external consultants and specialist subcontractors
The ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of project delivery principles
A strong understanding of retail fuel station design and operational requirements
Knowledge of forecourt layouts and customer circulation planning

Experience with underground fuel infrastructure and associated design considerations
Experience in EV charging infrastructure design and deployment
Knowledge of utility and power connection processes

Experience with design risk management and technical governance
A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites across the UK

Desirable Experience

The following experience would be advantageous:

Experience working with major fuel retail, mobility or energy clients
Knowledge of alternative fuels infrastructure, including HVO, hydrogen or biofuels
Experience supporting planning applications and stakeholder consultations
Familiarity with cost planning, value engineering and commercial reviews
Experience managing consultant frameworks and design supply chains

Experience with AutoCAD, Revit, BIM Level 2 processes or Microsoft Project
Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365

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