Senior Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Design Manager

Company: AECOM

Location: Glasgow, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Management / Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-26T13:11:47.207

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage a team of Design Managers, contributing to strategic business planning and operational excellence within AECOM's Buildings & Places (B&P) business line.

• Drive the successful execution of design management processes for complex infrastructure and building projects, ensuring adherence to contractual obligations, quality standards, and client expectations across the UK and internationally.

• Oversee critical project functions including financial management, sub-consultant coordination, design risk mitigation, and progress tracking to ensure project profitability and client satisfaction.

• Foster the professional development of the Design Management team through mentoring and training, aligning with AECOM's core values of integrity, innovation, and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Design Manager within AECOM's Buildings & Places (B&P) business line, operating in a hybrid capacity. The description emphasizes leadership, strategic planning, and hands-on project execution, indicating a pivotal role in operationalizing design processes and managing client-facing deliverables. The requirement for SC Clearance suggests involvement in sensitive or government-related projects, a common characteristic in large-scale infrastructure consulting.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Management:

  • Directly manage the Design Management team, supporting Team Leadership in their roles and deputizing when necessary.
  • Conduct team performance reviews and contribute to business development initiatives.
  • Mentor and train Design Management team members, fostering their professional growth and skill development.

• Project Delivery & Operations:

  • Lead Design Management projects from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with contractual requirements and client expectations.
  • Establish and implement robust Design Management processes, procedures, and communication protocols.
  • Manage design coordination, the approval process, and ensure timely delivery of project deliverables.

• Financial & Commercial Oversight:

  • Manage AECOM's financial processes related to design management, including invoicing and budget tracking.
  • Contribute to business planning, continuously monitoring progress against targets and identifying areas for improvement.
  • Maintain commercial awareness of projects, understanding project profitability and financial risks.

• Risk, Quality & Contractual Compliance:

  • Manage design risk, quality assurance, and change control processes throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Review work outputs from the Design Management team to ensure quality and compliance with contractual obligations.
  • Establish and implement project controls to monitor and report on design performance.

• Sub-consultant & Stakeholder Management:

  • Effectively manage sub-consultant relationships and performance.

  • Organize and record project meetings, ensuring clear communication and action item tracking.

  • Establish clear roles and responsibilities within the project governance structure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership (business planning, team development) and tactical execution (project controls, design coordination, financial management). This indicates a role that requires not only strong project management skills but also an operational mindset focused on process efficiency and team performance. The emphasis on contractual compliance and risk management is critical for senior operations roles in consulting.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related consultancy field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of Post-Qualification Experience (PQE) in an Architectural, Engineering, or Consultancy background.

• Proven experience in leading and managing design management teams and projects.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement design management tools and procedures.

Required Skills:

• Design Management: Comprehensive understanding of the design process, including coordination, approvals, and deliverables.

• Team Leadership & Mentoring: Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team of design professionals.

• Project Programming & Controls: Proficiency in project and design programming, and establishing project controls.

• Commercial Acumen: Strong commercial awareness of project financials, risks, and profitability.

• Technical Proficiency:

  • Proficiency in MS Project for scheduling and progress tracking.
  • Advanced skills in MS Excel for data analysis and reporting.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective stakeholder and team interaction.

• Construction Knowledge: Solid understanding of construction processes and industry practices.

• Risk & Quality Management: Proven ability to manage design risk and ensure quality assurance.

• Contractual Compliance: Understanding of contractual obligations and ability to ensure adherence.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with international projects.

• Familiarity with advanced project management software beyond MS Project.

• Knowledge of digital design tools and workflows.

• Experience in specific sectors relevant to AECOM's Buildings & Places portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a strong technical foundation combined with significant leadership and operational experience. The requirement for PQE and specific software proficiency (MS Project, Excel) points to a need for candidates who can immediately contribute to project execution and team management, aligning with an experienced operations professional profile. The mention of SC Clearance is a critical requirement for specific projects.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies in Design Management: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating successful leadership of design management processes on complex projects. These should highlight your approach to:

  • Establishing project governance and team structures.
  • Implementing design management procedures and communication protocols.
  • Managing design coordination and the approval process.

• Process Optimization Examples: Include examples of processes you have developed or improved, illustrating how you enhanced efficiency, quality, or risk management within design delivery. Quantify improvements where possible (e.g., reduction in design clashes, improved schedule adherence).

• Financial Management Documentation: Present examples of financial oversight, such as budget tracking, invoicing management, or commercial reporting related to design projects.

• Sub-consultant Management Frameworks: Demonstrate your approach to selecting, onboarding, and managing sub-consultants, including performance monitoring and contractual adherence.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Provide evidence of designing and documenting complete design management workflows, from initial concept through to handover. This should include clarity on decision-making points, approval stages, and information exchange protocols.

• Implementation & Automation: Showcase experience in implementing and, where applicable, automating design management processes. This could include the use of project management software, collaboration platforms, or specific procedural documents.

• Performance Measurement: Illustrate how you have tracked and reported on the performance of design management processes, including key performance indicators (KPIs) related to schedule, budget, quality, and client satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Design Manager role, a portfolio demonstrating practical application of design management principles, process creation, and team leadership is crucial. Applicants should focus on showcasing their ability to operationalize design processes, manage complex project elements, and drive tangible improvements. Quantifiable results and clear documentation of methodologies will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on AECOM's global