How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
We are looking for an experienced Design Manager to join our growing Planned Works team, delivering high-quality social housing refurbishment, retrofit and planned maintenance projects across our National Planned Division.
This is an exciting opportunity for a design professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about improving homes and communities through innovative, compliant and buildable design solutions. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in social housing planned works, working closely with operational and commercial teams to ensure successful project delivery from pre-construction through to completion.
Drawing on responsibilities outlined in internal design management profiles, this role will be responsible for coordinating and managing the design process, ensuring design deliverables are fully coordinated, compliant, buildable and delivered to programme.
About The Role
As Design Manager, you will play a key role in the successful delivery of planned maintenance, refurbishment and retrofit programmes, ensuring all design information supports safe, efficient and high-quality project execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the design process across multiple social housing planned works projects.
- Coordinate consultants, architects and specialist designers to ensure design information is issued accurately and on time.
- Develop and manage design programmes to support procurement and construction activities.
- Review designs to ensure compliance with building regulations, client requirements and industry standards.
- Work closely with Operational and Commercial teams to ensure designs are buildable, cost-effective and aligned to project objectives.
- Identify and manage design risks, driving solutions and value engineering opportunities.
- Chair design team meetings and coordinate actions through to completion.
- Support pre-construction activities, bids and tender submissions where required.
- Promote best practice, innovation and continuous improvement throughout the design process.
- Ensure health, safety and regulatory considerations are embedded within all design activities.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What We're Looking For
Essential
- Previous experience as a Design Manager within social housing planned works, refurbishment or retrofit programmes.
- Strong understanding of design management processes from pre-construction through to delivery.
- Experience managing external consultants, architects and design teams.
- Knowledge of construction methodologies, procurement processes and project delivery.
- Strong understanding of Building Regulations, health and safety requirements and industry standards.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritise competing deadlines.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites as required.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Desirable
- Experience working on retrofit, decarbonisation or SHDF-funded schemes.
- HNC/HND or degree in Construction, Architecture, Building Technology or a related discipline.
- Professional membership such as CIOB or equivalent.
- Knowledge of PAS 2035 and retrofit compliance frameworks.
Our Commitments
WPS 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 wpsrecruitment@wates.co.uk
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location