Senior Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Design Manager

Company: AECOM

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Management / Project Management (Infrastructure)

Date Posted: 2026-09-11T13:42:30.953

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage the Design Management team, supporting leadership in business development and team performance.

• Oversee the end-to-end process of managing sub-consultants, including contract drafting, financial tracking, and invoice monitoring.

• Drive the establishment and implementation of robust design management procedures, covering scope delineation, programming, quality, budget, and coordination.

• Mentor and develop junior Design Management team members, ensuring high-quality work outputs and compliance with contractual obligations.

• Manage AECOM's financial processes related to design projects, including invoicing and cash flow projections, while adhering to AECOM's financial systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a blend of strong leadership, technical design management expertise, and robust commercial acumen. The "Senior" title and responsibilities like business development support and team performance reviews indicate a significant level of autonomy and responsibility, typical of a mid-to-senior level position within a large infrastructure consulting firm. The emphasis on financial management and sub-consultant oversight also points towards a critical role in project delivery and profitability.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development:

  • Work collaboratively with Design Management team leadership, assisting in daily operations and strategic initiatives.
  • Undertake key leadership duties such as business development support, team performance reviews, and acting in a Team Leader's absence.
  • Contribute to the annual business planning process for the Design Management team and continuously monitor progress against targets.
  • Mentor, train, and conduct reviews for junior Design Management team members to foster their professional growth and skill development.

• Project & Financial Management:

  • Lead Design Management projects for AECOM across the UK and internationally, ensuring successful project delivery.
  • Manage AECOM's financial processes, including accurate invoicing and diligent cash flow projections for design projects.
  • Achieve AECOM Project Management (PM) accreditation and manage design projects in accordance with AECOM's financial systems and processes.

• Sub-Consultant Oversight:

  • Prepare comprehensive responsibility matrices to clearly define sub-consultant roles for each project scope.
  • Draft and distribute back-to-back contracts with sub-consultants to ensure full scope coverage and alignment with client agreements.
  • Manage updates to sub-consultant contracts and finalize all necessary documentation.
  • Establish and enforce procedures for sub-consultant invoice submission, rigorously monitoring their progress.
  • Prepare and present a monthly Financial Report detailing the status of all sub-consultant invoices and associated financial performance.

• Design Management Procedures & Quality Assurance:

  • Lead the establishment and implementation of standardized Design Management procedures, including:
    • Clear definition of roles, responsibilities, and scope delineation.
    • Preparation of detailed design programmes, with ongoing monitoring and progress reporting.
    • Effective management of design deliverables and outputs.
    • Ensuring high standards of design quality throughout the project lifecycle.
    • Managing design budgets, change orders, and cost control.
    • Overseeing the design approval process with relevant stakeholders.
    • Organizing and facilitating project meetings and design workshops.
    • Implementing robust design coordination mechanisms to prevent clashes and ensure constructability.
  • Review all work outputs from the Design Management team before issuance to clients, ensuring quality, accuracy, and compliance with contractual obligations.

• Performance & Values Alignment:

  • Actively participate in the Performance Review process, taking ownership of agreed actions and pursuing identified training opportunities.

  • Embody and promote AECOM's core values of integrity, innovation, and collaboration in all aspects of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a role that blends strategic team oversight with hands-on project execution. The emphasis on "Lead Design Management projects" and "Manage AECOM financial process and invoicing" highlights the dual nature of leadership and direct contribution. The detailed breakdown of sub-consultant management and procedural implementation showcases the operational depth required for this position.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline is typically expected for a Senior Design Manager role in the infrastructure sector. Experience:

• Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in design management, project management, or a closely related field within the infrastructure, construction, or consulting industry.

• Proven track record of leading design projects, ideally with international exposure.

• Demonstrated experience in managing sub-consultants, including contract negotiation and financial oversight.

• Experience in developing and implementing design management tools and procedures.

• Experience in financial management, including budgeting, cost control, and invoice processing within a project context. Required Skills:

• Design Process Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of the entire design process from conception through to construction documentation.

• Project Management Proficiency: Strong capabilities in project planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and risk management.

• Design Programming: Skilled in preparing, monitoring, and reporting on design programmes using tools like MS Project.

• Sub-Consultant Management: Proven ability to manage multiple sub-consultant relationships, contracts, and deliverables effectively.

• Financial Acumen: Solid understanding of project financials, including budgeting, cost control, invoicing, and cash flow projections.

• Contractual Knowledge: Familiarity with contract management principles, particularly in relation to sub-consultant agreements.

• Quality Assurance: Ability to review and ensure the quality and compliance of design outputs.

• Mentoring & Leadership: Demonstrated ability to mentor junior staff and contribute to team development.

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal teams, clients, and sub-consultants.

• Software Proficiency: Proficient in MS Project, MS Excel, and Adobe InDesign.

Preferred Skills:

• Commercial Awareness: Deep understanding of project commercial aspects, including contract negotiation, change management, and profitability drivers.

• Construction Knowledge: Practical understanding of construction methods, site operations, and buildability.

• Design Coordination: Experience in managing complex design coordination processes to ensure constructability and prevent conflicts.

• Business Development: Experience or aptitude in supporting business development activities, client relationship management, and proposal development.

• AECOM Systems: Familiarity with AECOM's internal financial systems, PM accreditation requirements, and project management methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is inferred from the "Senior" title and the breadth of responsibilities, including team leadership, business development support, and complex project oversight. The skills listed are directly derived from the job description's "Qualifications" section and the "Primary Responsibilities," with operations-relevant keywords integrated.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Leadership Case Studies: Showcase examples of design management projects led, detailing the scope, challenges, your role, and the successful outcomes achieved.

• Process Implementation Examples: Provide documentation or detailed descriptions of design management procedures you have developed, implemented, or significantly improved. Highlight the impact of these improvements.

• Financial Management Demonstrations: Illustrate your experience with managing project financials, including examples of cash flow projections, invoice tracking, and budget management reports.

• Sub-Consultant Management Examples: Present evidence of your ability to manage sub-consultant contracts, including responsibility matrices, contract summaries, and performance tracking mechanisms.

• Quality Assurance Frameworks: Demonstrate your approach to ensuring design quality, perhaps through examples of review checklists, compliance tracking, or issue resolution processes.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Evidence of your ability to design and document efficient workflows for design processes, from initiation to approval.

• Implementation & Automation: Examples of how you have implemented new procedures or tools to streamline design management processes and improve efficiency.

• Measurement & Analysis: Demonstrate how you track and analyze the performance of design processes, using metrics to identify areas for improvement and report on outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Design Manager role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only list responsibilities but visually and narratively demonstrate impact. The focus is on showcasing how you've managed complex processes, driven efficiency, controlled costs, and delivered high-quality projects through structured methodologies. This section is tailored to highlight what AECOM would likely look for in a candidate's portfolio to assess their practical application of design management principles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: £65,000 - £90,000 per annum.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on research for Senior Design Manager roles in London, UK, within large engineering and infrastructure consulting firms (such as AECOM). Factors considered include the required experience level (5-10 years), the complexity of responsibilities (team leadership, international projects, financial management), and the London cost of living and market rates. Specific salary will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and performance.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Work Options: Flexibility to balance work between home and office, promoting work-life integration.

• Professional Development: Access to ongoing training opportunities and resources to enhance skills and knowledge.

• Mentoring Programs: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders and to mentor junior team members, fostering career growth.

• Performance-Based Bonuses: Potential for bonuses linked to individual and company performance.

• Pension Scheme: Contribution towards a retirement savings plan.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance, wellness programs, and potentially an on-site gym or wellness facilities.

• Life Assurance: Coverage in the event of death.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Support services for personal and professional challenges.

• Global Collaboration: Opportunity to work with a diverse, international team on significant infrastructure projects.

• Paid Time Off: Generous annual leave allowance, public holidays, and potential for sick leave.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week. However, AECOM offers hybrid work arrangements, providing flexibility in scheduling and location to support work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges for senior roles in London are typically high due to the cost of living and demand for experienced professionals. The benefits listed are standard for large, multinational corporations like AECOM and are tailored to appeal to professionals seeking growth and stability. The "Hybrid work options" are explicitly mentioned in the job posting.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: AECOM operates within the Engineering, Construction, and Infrastructure Consulting sector. This industry is characterized by large-scale, complex projects, long project lifecycles, significant capital investment, and a strong emphasis on technical expertise, safety, and regulatory compliance. The company's focus on "delivering a better world" and "solving the world’s most complex challenges" indicates a mission-driven culture.

Company Size: AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm with over 50,000 employees globally. This large scale means it offers extensive resources, diverse career opportunities, and a structured corporate environment. For operations professionals, this size translates to established processes, potential for specialization, and a wide network for collaboration and learning, but also requires navigating a larger organizational structure.

Founded: AECOM was founded in 1910. This long history signifies stability, deep industry experience, and a proven track record of adapting to evolving market needs and technological advancements in the infrastructure sector.

Team Structure:

• Design Management Team: This team likely comprises specialists in various aspects of design coordination, programming, quality control, and sub-consultant liaison. It operates within a larger business group, possibly "Buildings & Places" or a similar infrastructure-focused division, serving diverse clients.

• Reporting Structure: The Senior Design Manager will report to higher leadership within the Design Management function or a broader project/division leadership. They will, in turn, manage and guide junior Design Managers and other team members.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role requires significant collaboration with project managers, engineering disciplines, architects, construction teams, procurement, legal, and finance departments to ensure cohesive project delivery.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: AECOM emphasizes leveraging data and digital innovation for project planning, execution, and monitoring.

• Process Optimization: A continuous focus on refining workflows, improving efficiency, and ensuring quality across all project phases.

• Client-Centric Approach: Partnering with clients to understand their needs and deliver solutions that create tangible, positive impacts.

• Global Standards: Adherence to international best practices and AECOM's internal standards for project delivery and management.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights AECOM's global reach, commitment to sustainability, and its role in solving complex infrastructure challenges. This context is vital for understanding the environment a Senior Design Manager will operate within, emphasizing the need for strong leadership, technical depth, and a collaborative, forward-thinking mindset.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at the Mid-to-Senior Management level. It demands significant experience (5-10 years) and the ability to lead teams, manage complex processes, and contribute to business strategy. The responsibilities include not just execution but also mentorship, business development support, and financial oversight, indicating a step towards broader leadership roles within operations or project management.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Design Manager will likely report to a Director of Design Management or a Senior Project Director. They will have direct reports, including junior Design Managers and potentially other design support staff. This structure allows for direct influence on project outcomes and team performance.

Operations Impact: The Senior Design Manager plays a critical role in ensuring the successful, efficient, and profitable delivery of infrastructure projects. Their impact is measured through:

• Project Success: On-time and on-budget delivery of design phases.

• Quality Assurance: Minimizing design errors and ensuring compliance with client and regulatory requirements.

• Financial Performance: Effective management of sub-consultant costs, AECOM's financial processes, and contributing to overall project profitability.

• Team Development: Building a high-performing design management team capable