Watkin Jones Group
Senior Design Manager
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Are you a skilled design professional looking to take the next step in your career?
We’re seeking a Senior Design Manager who can coordinate and deliver high-quality design solutions across a diverse portfolio of projects. This is a fantastic opportunity to combine creativity, technical know-how, and commercial awareness in a role that makes a real impact.
You’ll play a key part in managing the design process from concept through to delivery—ensuring projects meet customer expectations, business objectives, and sustainability goals. Working closely with consultants, contractors, and internal teams, you’ll help turn ideas into reality while maintaining high standards of safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
Location: Chester office (with flexible home working)
Travel: To project sites as required
What You’ll Do
- Coordinate design deliverables across multiple disciplines and support consultant appointments to ensure compliance with agreed scopes.
- Assist with proposals within BIM and commercial constraints.
- Provide input on buildability and technical feasibility.
- Track progress throughout the design process.
- Manage submissions to clients and statutory bodies.
- Identify opportunities for value engineering and offsite/prefabrication.
- Contribute to sustainability initiatives.
- Support procurement planning.
- Help capture and share best practices across the business.
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What We’re Looking For
- Experience in a design or technical coordination role.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Understanding of design processes, construction methods, and commercial drivers.
- Interest in sustainability and innovation.
- Experience with PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation) or BTR (Build to Rent) schemes is highly desirable.
- Collaborative, proactive, and solution-focused approach.
Why Choose Watkin Jones Group?
You’ll be part of a dynamic team delivering projects that shape modern living spaces. We offer flexibility, career development opportunities, and the chance to work on projects that make a real difference.
At Watkin Jones, we believe in investing in our people. Here’s what we can offer you:
- Work-Life Balance: 25 days of annual leave (increasing with tenure), agile working arrangements, and discounted gym memberships.
- Wellbeing: Access to ‘Your Wellbeing’ programme & OpenUp – a confidential wellbeing platform.
- Rewards: Discretionary annual bonus, health cash plan, life insurance of 3 x salary and more.
- Benefits: Company Car or Car Allowance, exclusive shopping discounts, and a contributory pension scheme.
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This is an opportunity to take on a high-impact role within a forward-thinking company. In return, we offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the chance to work on major projects that shape the built environment.
Watkin Jones Group
Watkin Jones Group is the UK’s leading developer, builder, and manager of residential-for-rent homes, with a rich history dating back to 1791. With 54,000+ homes developed and in-build across over 254 schemes, we have a proven track record of success. Our operating arm, Fresh, manages over 18,500 units across 58 schemes, representing approximately £1.7bn of assets under management.
Joining us means becoming part of a company that’s not only deeply rooted in history but also firmly focused on the future. We’re committed to creating high-quality rental homes, fostering vibrant communities, and driving sustainable development.
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