Design Manager Infrastructure (Heathrow) at Mace

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager Infrastructure (Heathrow) Company: Mace Location: London, England, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-time, Regular Category: Project Delivery / Design Management Date Posted: 2025-07-02T07:48:03 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

Lead and manage design resources to ensure the delivery of complex infrastructure projects within the aviation sector, focusing on safety, quality, cost, and compliance.
Drive the design process from early stages (RIBA 2-4) through to implementation and handover, ensuring alignment with client requirements and project objectives.
Act as a key point of contact for client design queries, fostering strong relationships and ensuring client satisfaction through effective communication and problem-solving.
Champion Mace's core values, including a strong emphasis on safety, client focus, integrity, and fostering a positive and inclusive team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Mace's construct business, indicating a focus on the practical execution and delivery of infrastructure projects. The emphasis on Heathrow projects suggests a need for candidates familiar with the unique demands and regulatory landscape of major airport environments. The "Design Manager" title, combined with responsibilities like Principal Designer duties, points to a role that bridges design oversight and project execution, requiring a blend of technical understanding and leadership.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Lead and mentor a team of design management resources, guiding their daily activities and ensuring project deliverables are met on time and to standard.
Uphold and champion Mace's commitment to safety first, maintaining exceptional safety, quality, cost, programme, sustainability, and compliance standards across all managed design activities.
Serve as a primary point of contact for client design issues, proactively managing relationships and ensuring all client expectations are met and maintained.
Oversee the design process through various stages, from tender documentation review and risk identification to detailed design coordination, clash detection, and resolution.
Manage engagement with Building Control and CDM regulations, fulfilling Mace's Principal Designer role and ensuring compliance with all relevant legislative and client standards.
Facilitate the raising and agreement of concessions with stakeholders for any deviations from Employer's Requirements (ERs).
Monitor and report on design progress, statutory approvals, outstanding information, subcontractor design responsibilities, and environmental/CDM considerations.
Develop and agree on design input/output responsibilities between consultants and subcontractors, ensuring clear lines of accountability.
Manage the process of RFI (Request for Information) tracking and document control, ensuring efficient information flow and record-keeping.
Support the long-term development of strategy for assigned functions or business units, contributing to the creation of a sustainable business future.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on team leadership and direct project execution. The emphasis on "Principal Designer role under CDM and Building Regulations" and "statutory approvals" indicates a significant compliance and regulatory management component. The mention of "DfMA or MMC experience" suggests a forward-looking approach to construction methodologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

A good understanding of the full design and construction process is essential.
Possession of, or progress towards, full membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., RICS, CIOB, ICE, RIBA, RIAS) is required.

Experience:

Proven experience in managing design processes within construction or project management environments.
Demonstrable experience in leading and motivating design teams and stakeholders.
Experience in the Principal Designer role under CDM and Building Regulations is desirable, with a required awareness of the associated duties.
A background in aviation projects is preferred.
Experience with BIM 360 or Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) is appreciated.
Familiarity with Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) or Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is valued.

Required Skills:

Design Management: Comprehensive understanding of design lifecycle, coordination, and delivery within large-scale projects.
Client Relationship Management: Ability to build and maintain strong, lasting relationships with clients and stakeholders.
Safety Compliance: In-depth knowledge of health and safety regulations (e.g., CDM) and ability to enforce them rigorously.
Team Leadership: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop design teams, fostering collaboration and high performance.
BIM Proficiency: Experience with BIM 360 or ACC, demonstrating digital savviness and understanding of collaborative design platforms.
Construction Process Knowledge: Solid grasp of the end-to-end design and construction lifecycle.
Risk Management: Capability to identify, assess, and manage design-related risks effectively.
Stakeholder Engagement: Skill in managing diverse stakeholders, including clients, consultants, subcontractors, and regulatory bodies.
Regulatory Compliance: Understanding and adherence to building regulations and legislative requirements.

Preferred Skills:

Aviation Experience: Prior experience working on projects within an airport environment.
DfMA/MMC Experience: Familiarity with modern construction techniques.
Principal Designer Experience: Direct experience managing Principal Designer duties.
Digital Savvy: Proactive adoption and utilization of digital tools for project management and collaboration.
Knowledge Sharing: Commitment to sharing expertise and best practices within the team and Mace.
Innovation: A proactive approach to seeking and implementing innovative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10 Years" experience level suggests this role is for a mid-to-senior level professional, capable of independent work and team leadership. The requirement for professional body membership indicates a need for formal qualifications and a commitment to industry standards. The emphasis on digital tools like BIM 360/ACC highlights the company's investment in modern project management technologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate a track record of successfully managing design processes for significant infrastructure projects, highlighting scale, complexity, and outcome.
Showcase examples of effective team leadership and development within a design management context.
Include case studies that illustrate proactive client engagement and successful resolution of design-related issues.
Present evidence of managing compliance with health and safety regulations, particularly CDM, and building regulations, detailing specific actions and outcomes.

Process Documentation:

Provide examples of design management procedures, coordination meeting minutes, and risk register maintenance.
Illustrate how you have managed RFI processes and document control to ensure project efficiency.
Showcase experience in overseeing clash detection exercises and managing the resolution of design conflicts.
Detail your approach to developing and agreeing design input/output responsibilities for consultants and subcontractors.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, a portfolio demonstrating a structured approach to design management, risk mitigation, and stakeholder communication would be highly beneficial. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with specific project phases and methodologies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the "Design Manager Infrastructure" title, the location (Heathrow, London), and the 5-10 years of experience level, a competitive salary range is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in London, the estimated salary range is likely between £60,000 and £85,000 per annum. This estimate considers the specialist nature of aviation infrastructure projects and the responsibilities associated with Principal Designer duties.

Benefits:

Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, training, and support towards professional body membership and advancement.
Health and Wellbeing: Comprehensive health insurance, potential for wellness programs, and a focus on employee wellbeing.
Retirement Savings: Pension scheme contributions.
Work-Life Balance: Flexible working options (hybrid model), potential for part-time arrangements, and generous holiday allowance.
Career Advancement: Clear pathways for career progression within Mace, including opportunities for leadership roles and exposure to diverse projects.
Project Impact: The chance to work on high-profile, impactful infrastructure projects at a major international airport.

Working Hours:

Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week. The role is advertised as hybrid, suggesting a blend of on-site work at Heathrow and remote working. Mace is also open to discussing part-time or flexible working options where suitable for the role's demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for similar roles in London, UK, factoring in the specific industry (aviation infrastructure) and required experience. Actual compensation will be determined by the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and interview performance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Construction, Consultancy, Infrastructure Development, Project Management. Mace operates globally, delivering complex projects across sectors including infrastructure, commercial, residential, and energy. Company Size: Mace is a large global company, employing thousands of people worldwide. Within the construct business, specific teams are often structured around major client programs like Heathrow. Founded: Mace was founded in 1990. The company has a strong reputation for delivering challenging projects and has grown significantly to become a major player in the global construction and consultancy market.

Team Structure:

The Design Manager will likely be part of a larger project delivery team at Heathrow, working alongside project managers, engineers, commercial managers, and other specialists.
The role involves managing direct reports within the design management function, reporting up to a senior project leader or program director.
Close collaboration with various internal Mace departments (e.g., Health & Safety, BIM, Commercial) and external stakeholders (Heathrow Airport Limited, consultants, contractors, regulatory bodies) is expected.

Methodology:

Mace emphasizes a structured approach to project delivery, guided by its own methodologies and best practices, often referred to as "The Mace Way."
This includes a strong focus on data-driven decision-making, robust risk management, and continuous improvement in processes and outcomes.
The company promotes a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and leveraging collective expertise.

Company Website: https://www.macegroup.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Mace's purpose, "redefine the boundaries of ambition," suggests a culture that encourages innovation and pushing limits. Their focus on sustainability and social impact indicates a commitment beyond just project delivery. The mention of "strategy site" and "Mace group, the centres of excellence, Mace way control centre and knowledge hub" implies a well-established framework for operations and knowledge management.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level Design Manager. It offers significant responsibility in managing design teams and key project aspects within a high-stakes environment like Heathrow. The requirement for 5-10 years of experience aligns with professionals ready to take on substantial leadership and technical management duties.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will report to a senior figure within the Heathrow program, likely a Project Director or Head of Design. They will, in turn, manage a team of design professionals. This structure allows for clear lines of accountability and mentorship.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager has a direct impact on project success by ensuring design integrity, compliance, and efficiency. Their ability to manage design risks, coordinate stakeholders, and uphold quality standards directly influences project delivery timelines, costs, client satisfaction, and overall safety performance. Their work is critical to achieving the strategic outcomes of programs like the Commercial Programme, Asset Management and Compliance, and the Efficient Airport Programme.

Growth Opportunities:

Leadership Advancement: Progression to Senior Design Manager, Head of Design, or Project Director roles on larger or more complex infrastructure projects within Mace.
Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in aviation infrastructure, BIM, DfMA/MMC, or specific technical design disciplines.
Cross-Functional Experience: Gaining exposure to different facets of project delivery, such as commercial management, construction execution, or program management.
Mentorship and Training: Access to Mace's extensive learning and development resources, including leadership training and technical skill enhancement programs.
Business Development: Involvement in winning new work and client relationship management, contributing to Mace's growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The opportunity to work on multiple Heathrow programs provides a diverse project portfolio, which is excellent for career development and demonstrating a broad range of skills. The emphasis on "hungry to grow your career" suggests that Mace actively supports and rewards ambitious employees.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at Heathrow, implying a dynamic, fast-paced environment that may include site visits, client offices, and potentially a dedicated project office space. Office Location(s): Primarily Heathrow Airport, London, UK. This is a major international hub, requiring adaptability to its unique operational demands.

Workspace Context:

The workspace will involve a mix of office-based activities (design reviews, meetings, reporting) and potential site presence to oversee progress and coordinate with on-site teams.
Collaboration will be key, with opportunities to work closely with project teams, consultants, and clients in a project-focused setting.
Access to relevant digital tools and platforms (like BIM 360/ACC) is expected, supporting efficient design management and communication.

Work Schedule: While core hours are typical for a full-time role, the nature of project delivery at a major airport may require flexibility. The company is open to discussing hybrid working arrangements, balancing office-based collaboration with remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within an airport environment presents unique challenges and opportunities, including stringent security protocols, operational constraints, and a constant need to maintain passenger flow and safety. Candidates should be prepared for this specialized context.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: A review of your CV and application, likely conducted by HR or a recruitment specialist to assess basic qualifications and experience.
Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager focusing on your technical expertise, leadership style, and alignment with Mace's values and the specific project needs. Expect questions about your experience in design management, CDM, and client relations.
Technical/Case Study Assessment: You may be asked to present a portfolio or discuss a specific project case study that demonstrates your problem-solving skills, design coordination approach, and ability to manage complex challenges. This could involve a hypothetical scenario relevant to Heathrow's infrastructure.
Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential team members or key stakeholders to assess cultural fit, collaboration skills, and how you would integrate into the existing team.
Final Interview: Potentially a final discussion with a senior leader to confirm suitability and discuss career progression.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 key projects that best showcase your experience in infrastructure design management, ideally within aviation or similar complex environments.
Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline the challenge, your role and responsibilities, the design process followed, key stakeholders managed, challenges encountered, solutions implemented, and the quantifiable outcomes (e.g., improved efficiency, cost savings, safety enhancements, compliance met).
Highlight Leadership: Emphasize your role in leading teams, mentoring junior staff, and managing consultant/subcontractor relationships.
Showcase Process Expertise: Detail your experience with design coordination, clash detection, RFI management, and adherence to regulatory frameworks like CDM.
Quantify Achievements: Use metrics where possible to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., "reduced design clashes by 20% through proactive coordination," "ensured 100% compliance with CDM regulations").
Be Prepared to Discuss: Know your portfolio inside and out and be ready to answer detailed questions about any aspect of your projects.

Challenge Preparation:

Understand Mace's Values: Be ready to articulate how your approach aligns with "Safety first," "Client focus," "Integrity," and "Create opportunity."
Prepare for Situational Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would handle specific scenarios, such as a major design issue arising, a conflict with a client, or a safety breach within your team.
Know the Heathrow Context: Research current developments or challenges at Heathrow Airport to demonstrate awareness of the operating environment.
BIM/Digital Tools: Be prepared to discuss your experience with BIM 360 or ACC and how you leverage digital tools for design management and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, reflecting the importance of the role and the complexity of the Heathrow projects. Demonstrating a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset, coupled with strong technical and leadership skills, will be crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

BIM Software: Experience with BIM platforms and viewers is highly valued. Specifically mentioned is BIM 360 or Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC), indicating Mace's use of cloud-based collaborative project management solutions.
Project Management Software: Familiarity with standard project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera P6) for scheduling, progress tracking, and resource allocation.
Document Management Systems: Experience with platforms for managing project documentation, RFIs, submittals, and drawings.
Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for team communication and collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

Reporting Tools: Ability to generate and interpret project progress reports, risk registers, and compliance documentation.
Data Analysis: Skills in analyzing design data, identifying trends, and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to design delivery.

CRM & Automation:

While not directly customer-facing in a sales sense, understanding client relationship management principles is key.
Familiarity with systems that automate workflow processes within design management or project execution would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with cloud-based BIM and project management tools is a significant advantage for this role, reflecting industry trends towards digital transformation in construction and infrastructure.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Safety First: A paramount value, expecting all team members to be vigilant about safety and accountable for maintaining high safety standards. This translates to rigorous adherence to safety protocols in design and site management.
Client Focus: Commitment to understanding and delivering on client promises. This means prioritizing client needs, managing expectations effectively, and building strong, trust-based relationships.
Integrity: Doing the right thing. This involves ethical conduct, transparency in dealings, accountability for actions, and upholding Mace's standards and values consistently.
Create Opportunity: Fostering an environment where people can excel. This includes supporting team growth, sharing knowledge, encouraging innovation, and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Integration: Expectation to work collaboratively with various disciplines within Mace and with external stakeholders to achieve project goals. This requires effective communication and a willingness to integrate diverse perspectives.
Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages the sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and expertise across projects and teams.
Proactive Communication: A preference for open and clear communication, especially regarding design coordination, risks, and client matters.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mace's emphasis on its values suggests that cultural fit will be a significant factor in the hiring decision. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their personal work ethic and professional conduct align with these core principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Complexity of Heathrow Operations: Managing design within a live, high-security, and high-traffic airport environment presents unique logistical and operational challenges.
Stakeholder Management: Balancing the diverse interests and requirements of multiple stakeholders, including Heathrow Airport Limited, various regulatory bodies, consultants, and contractors.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring strict adherence to CDM regulations, building codes, and client-specific standards within a complex legal framework.
Managing Design Iterations: Effectively handling design changes, scope adjustments, and resolving conflicts in a timely manner to keep projects on track.
Team Development: Leading and motivating a diverse team of design professionals, ensuring consistent performance and adherence to Mace's standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Specialized Aviation Training: Opportunities to gain deeper knowledge of airport infrastructure design and operational requirements.
Advanced BIM & Digital Skills: Further development in using cutting-edge digital tools for design management and project execution.
Leadership Development Programs: Access to Mace's structured leadership training to enhance management and strategic planning capabilities.
Industry Certifications: Support for obtaining or maintaining relevant professional certifications and memberships.
Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working across different programs at Heathrow provides a broad spectrum of learning experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role are significant but also offer substantial opportunities for professional growth and skill development in a highly specialized sector of the construction industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

Operations Strategy: "Describe your approach to managing the design process for a major infrastructure project, focusing on how you ensure safety, quality, and client satisfaction." "How would you implement and manage Mace's design management procedures on the Heathrow Commercial Programme?" "How do you prioritize design deliverables when faced with conflicting stakeholder requirements?" Prepare to discuss your methodology for integrating DfMA/MMC principles if applicable.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you manage relationships with clients, consultants, and subcontractors to ensure effective design delivery?" "Describe a time you had to resolve a significant design conflict between parties. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" "How would you ensure compliance with CDM regulations and Mace's Principal Designer role responsibilities?"
Problem-Solving: "Imagine a critical design issue emerges late in the design phase that impacts the project timeline. How would you assess the situation, propose solutions, and communicate with stakeholders?" "How do you oversee the identification of constraints and manage their resolution through design solutions or concessions?"

Company & Culture Questions:

Company Operations: "What do you know about Mace's work at Heathrow, and how do you see this role contributing to our strategic objectives for the Efficient Airport Programme?" "How do you embody Mace's values – Safety First, Client Focus, Integrity, and Create Opportunity – in your daily work?"
Team Dynamics: "Describe your leadership style and how you motivate a design team." "How do you foster knowledge sharing and collaboration within a project team?"
Operations Impact: "Can you provide an example of how your design management expertise has directly impacted project cost, schedule, or safety performance?" "How do you measure the success of your design management activities?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Storytelling: Frame your portfolio projects as compelling narratives with a clear beginning (challenge), middle (your actions/solutions), and end (results/impact).
Quantify Impact: Use metrics and data to support your achievements. For instance, "Implemented a new clash detection process that reduced design clashes by 15%."
Focus on Process: Clearly articulate the design management processes you followed, your role in them, and how they contributed to successful outcomes.
Demonstrate Leadership: Highlight instances where you led teams, managed stakeholders, and drove positive outcomes through your leadership.
Conciseness: Be prepared to present key information efficiently, focusing on the most relevant aspects of your experience for this specific role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with BIM 360/ACC in detail if you have it. Understanding the RIBA stages (specifically 2-4) and demonstrating familiarity with the Principal Designer role will be key to showcasing your technical readiness.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

Submit your application through the provided link on the Mace careers portal.
Portfolio Customization: Tailor your CV and any supplementary materials to highlight your experience relevant to infrastructure design management, aviation projects, CDM compliance, and team leadership. Select case studies that best demonstrate your process management and problem-solving skills.
Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, key responsibilities in design management, and achievements using keywords found in the job description (e.g., Design Management, CDM, Principal Designer, BIM 360/ACC, Stakeholder Engagement, Risk Management). Quantify your achievements where possible.
Operations Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience and approach to common operations and design management questions. Prepare to walk through your portfolio with a focus on demonstrating your leadership, technical knowledge, and alignment with Mace's values.
Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Mace's strategy, values, and recent projects, particularly those related to Heathrow Airport. Understand the company's approach to safety, client focus, and creating opportunity.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Design Manager Infrastructure (Heathrow)