Senior Design Manager – Construction Division (Central London)

About the Role

Wates is seeking a Senior Design Manager to join our Construction division, working in partnership with one of our longstanding clients, the Department for Education (DfE).

This challenging and impactful role is perfect for someone with strong experience overseeing design processes for new-build, refurbishment, and complex construction projects. Based in our Central London office, you’ll play a key role in shaping educational environments that foster learning and lifelong development for future generations.

What You’ll Be Doing

As our Senior Design Manager, you’ll take ownership of design strategies to ensure high-quality, buildable, and innovative construction outcomes.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Collaborate closely with clients, project teams, and industry specialists to refine designs, ensuring alignment with briefs, commercial viability, and regulatory compliance.
• Conduct detailed risk and opportunity appraisals to enhance buildability, mitigate risks, and add value before construction begins.
• Manage design teams (internal and external) to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency with client objectives and project deadlines.
• Develop and oversee realistic design programmes and information requirements schedules, working with Project Teams, Lead Designers, and Consultant groups.
• Support commercial teams in managing design-related financial risks, assisting with specialist material procurement, and keeping designs within budget.
• Work alongside Operations and Commercial colleagues to deliver coordinated, cost-effective, and easily buildable solutions through technical workshops, value management sessions, and proactive problem-solving.
• Liaise directly with site teams, resolving design queries, conducting site inspections, and ensuring implementation aligns with the original design intent.
• Mentor junior designers and managers, fostering collaboration, consistency, and knowledge-sharing across all design outputs.