Senior Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Design Manager

Company: Robertson Group

Location: North West England, UK (Specifically WA12 0JQ postal code area, likely St Helens)

Job Type: Other (Presumed Full-Time Permanent)

Category: Construction Management / Design Operations

Date Posted: May 29, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This Senior Design Manager role is pivotal in overseeing the entire design lifecycle for construction and infrastructure projects, ensuring seamless integration of contractor and subcontractor design efforts.

• The position demands a strong focus on Health & Safety, quality assurance, and strict adherence to design and build procedures and project specifications.

• Key responsibilities include managing design development programs, coordinating external parties, and ensuring efficient workflow and information exchange within the project's design operations.

• The role requires a strategic approach to contract administration for contractor's design portion packages and contributing to performance reporting on design, risk, and procurement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the employment_type is listed as "OTHER", based on the seniority and responsibilities, this is highly likely a full-time, permanent position within the construction management domain. The location details point to the St Helens area in North West England.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the comprehensive development of all contractor design elements throughout project lifecycles, ensuring alignment with project objectives and timelines.

• Champion and enforce strict adherence to all established design and build procedures, quality standards, and best practices.

• Maintain and ensure the timely execution of the design and delivery program, proactively identifying and mitigating potential delays.

• Effectively coordinate and integrate the efforts of external contractors and subcontractors with the internal Design team to foster a cohesive design process.

• Develop, refine, and finalize various works packages, ensuring they meet project specifications, drawings, and the desired quality outcomes.

• Oversee and manage subcontractors' works packages, ensuring smooth flow of design information and timely execution.

• Chair essential coordination meetings, subcontractor design meetings, and any other necessary forums to facilitate communication and problem-solving.

• Take responsibility for the contract administration of contractor's design portion packages, ensuring compliance and proper documentation.

• Assist in the preparation of monthly internal and external site performance reports, with a specific focus on design, design development, risk assessment, and procurement/off-site manufacturing.

• Collaborate with the commercial team to address subcontractor issues and manage any divergences from the original tendered bid.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a leadership role requiring a blend of technical design oversight, project management, and team coordination within a construction environment. Emphasis on "external contractors" and "subcontractors" highlights the critical need for strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Extensive experience in a Design Management role within the construction or infrastructure sector.

• Proven track record of managing complex design processes and coordinating multiple stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience in contract administration for design packages.

Required Skills:

• Design Management: Expertise in overseeing and directing the design process from conception to completion.

• Contract Administration: Proficient in managing and administering design-related contracts and agreements.

• Subcontractor Coordination: Ability to effectively manage and integrate subcontractor design efforts and deliverables.

• Project Specification Adherence: Strong understanding and application of project specifications and drawings to ensure quality outcomes.

• Health & Safety Compliance: Deep commitment to Health & Safety standards and ensuring they are integrated into the design process.

• Risk Management: Skill in identifying, assessing, and mitigating design-related risks.

• Procurement Knowledge: Understanding of procurement processes as they relate to design elements and off-site manufacturing.

• Works Package Development: Capability to develop and finalize detailed works packages.

• Meeting Facilitation: Proficiency in chairing and managing technical and coordination meetings.

• Quality Assurance: Commitment to ensuring the highest quality standards in all design outputs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with off-site manufacturing (OSM) and its integration into design.

• Familiarity with construction project management software for design coordination.

• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills for subcontractor and stakeholder management.

• Experience in developing and delivering internal and external performance reports.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10 Years" experience level, combined with the "degree qualified" requirement, suggests this role is for a seasoned professional who can independently manage significant design aspects of projects and potentially mentor junior team members. The emphasis on "confident in your decisions and calm and quick to adjust to unexpected challenges" points to a need for strong problem-solving and resilience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a portfolio showcasing successful management of design processes on construction projects, highlighting complexity and scale.

• Include case studies that illustrate effective coordination of external contractors and subcontractors, detailing communication strategies and outcomes.

• Present examples of works packages developed, detailing the process from requirement definition to finalization and implementation.

• Showcase documentation or examples of adherence to design and build procedures and project specifications, emphasizing quality control measures.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their methodologies for managing the design and delivery program, including how they ensure adherence and mitigate risks.

• Expect to detail your approach to contract administration for contractor's design portion packages, including key contractual considerations and documentation.

• Be ready to explain your process for chairing coordination and subcontractor design meetings, including agenda setting, minute-taking, and action tracking.

• Prepare to outline your system for managing the flow of design information between external parties and the internal design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Design Manager role, a portfolio should go beyond simple project lists. It should demonstrate a deep understanding of process, problem-solving, and the ability to articulate complex design coordination strategies and their successful implementation with measurable results.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• 33 days annual leave (pro-rata for part-time or FTC positions, increases with length of service)

• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme

• Life Assurance

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Discounts (gym memberships, restaurants, days out etc.) via Hapi Rewards App

• Annual Flu Vaccine

• Access to E-Learning platforms

• Health & Wellbeing Support services

Working Hours:

• Presumed standard full-time working hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and company policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current UK market data for similar roles in the construction sector, considering the specified experience level and seniority. The benefits package is comprehensive and reflects a commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, which is often a strong draw for experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Construction, Infrastructure, and Support Services. Robertson Group is a significant player in the UK market, known for its family-owned heritage and commitment to sustainability.

Company Size: Robertson Group is described as the UK's largest family-owned construction, infrastructure, and support services business. This indicates a substantial organization with a wide reach, likely employing several thousand people across various divisions and locations.

Founded: While not explicitly stated, the company's description as a "family-owned business" suggests a long-standing history and established presence in the industry. A quick check of their website (www.robertson.co.uk) confirms they have a history dating back to 1966, indicating decades of experience and stability.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Design Manager will likely be part of a broader project delivery team, which typically includes Project Managers, Commercial Managers, Site Managers, and potentially dedicated design coordinators or engineers.

• The reporting structure will likely involve reporting to a Head of Design, a Construction Director, or a Senior Project Manager, depending on the specific project and organizational hierarchy.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a "Robertson Way" approach, guided by principles of listening, professionalism, responsibility, determination to succeed, and teamwork. This suggests a culture that values collaboration, accountability, and a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.

• In terms of design operations, the focus is on quality, best practice, and adherence to project specifications, implying a structured and process-driven approach to design development and execution.

Company Website: https://www.robertson.co.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: The "largest family-owned" status suggests a company with a strong culture, potentially balancing professional ambition with a sense of community and long-term vision. The explicit mention of "sustainable future" and "doing incredible things" points to a forward-thinking organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Management position, indicating a mid-to-senior level career stage. It requires significant autonomy, leadership, and the ability to influence project outcomes. As a Senior Design Manager, you are expected to be a subject matter expert within your domain and a leader for design-related activities on projects.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Project Director, Construction Director, or Head of Design. May also have line management responsibility for junior design coordinators or a team of designers within a specific project or business unit. The role involves significant interaction with commercial teams, site operations, and external design consultants/contractors.

Operations Impact: The Senior Design Manager has a direct and substantial impact on project success. Effective design management ensures projects are delivered on time, within budget, to the required quality standards, and safely. This role is critical in mitigating risks, optimizing constructability, and ensuring client satisfaction by translating project requirements into buildable solutions. Their work directly influences the efficiency of site operations and the overall profitability of projects.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to advance to roles such as Head of Design, Design Director, or Project Director, overseeing design for multiple projects or an entire business unit.

• Specialization: Opportunities to specialize further in specific construction sectors (e.g., healthcare, education, commercial) or in emerging areas like Building Information Modeling (BIM) management or off-site manufacturing strategy.

• Professional Development: The company offers access to E-Learning and encourages continuous learning, which can support development in areas like advanced project management techniques, sustainability in design, or leadership training.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "ambitious and want a career where you can grow and progress" statement in the job description explicitly highlights the company's interest in candidates looking for long-term career development. This Senior role is positioned as a stepping stone for individuals aiming for higher leadership positions within the construction industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in North West England, likely within a regional office of Robertson Group, or potentially a site-based office directly on a project location. The description implies an on-site presence is crucial.

Office Location(s): The primary location is North West England, with a specific postal code (WA12 0JQ) indicating the St Helens area. This suggests proximity to major transport routes within the region.

Workspace Context:

• The environment will be collaborative, requiring close interaction with project teams, including site personnel, commercial managers, and potentially clients and external consultants.

• Access to necessary design software, project management tools, and communication platforms will be provided.

• There will be opportunities for regular site visits to oversee design implementation, conduct quality checks, and resolve on-site design queries.

Work Schedule: The role is expected to adhere to standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week). However, the nature of construction projects often requires flexibility to meet deadlines, attend critical meetings, or address urgent site issues. This may involve occasional extended hours or weekend work, balanced by the company's commitment to employee well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" remote status is a key indicator. While there may be office-based work, significant time will likely be spent on project sites, necessitating adaptability and the ability to work effectively in diverse environments, from traditional offices to active construction zones.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and application to assess your qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's core requirements.

• First Interview: Likely with a Hiring Manager (e.g., Construction Director, Head of Design) to discuss your experience, technical skills, understanding of design management in construction, and career aspirations. Be prepared to discuss specific projects from your portfolio.

• Technical Assessment/Case Study: You may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio, detailing a complex design challenge you managed, your approach, the solutions implemented, and the outcomes achieved. This will assess your problem-solving abilities, technical knowledge, and communication skills.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership, focusing on cultural fit, leadership potential, strategic thinking, and how you embody the "Robertson Way" principles.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your most relevant and impactful projects that demonstrate your experience in managing contractor design, coordinating subcontractors, and ensuring adherence to specifications and quality.

• Focus on Process & Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your specific role and responsibilities, the design processes you managed, the solutions you implemented, and the quantifiable results (e.g., time saved, cost efficiencies, quality improvements, risk mitigation).

• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase instances where you successfully coordinated with diverse teams (internal and external) and managed complex stakeholder relationships.

• Demonstrate Problem-Solving: Include examples of how you navigated unexpected challenges, resolved design conflicts, or adapted to changing project requirements.

• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to deep-dive into any aspect of your portfolio, explaining your decision-making process and technical rationale.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for behavioral questions related to the "Robertson Way" principles (listening, professionalism, responsibility, determination, one team).

• Practice articulating your approach to managing design risk, ensuring Health & Safety, and maintaining quality standards.

• Anticipate scenario-based questions: "How would you handle a situation where a key subcontractor's design is significantly delayed?" or "Describe a time you had to enforce a difficult design decision."

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "blank canvas" and "seeing things differently" suggests the company values innovation and proactive problem-solving. Your portfolio and interview responses should reflect this mindset, demonstrating how you can bring new perspectives and effective solutions to design challenges.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency with industry-standard CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD) and potentially BIM software (e.g., Revit) is highly probable, especially for reviewing and coordinating designs.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with project management platforms for scheduling, task tracking, and resource allocation (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or company-specific systems).

• Collaboration Platforms: Experience with tools for document sharing, communication, and team collaboration (e.g., Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Procore).

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design information integrates with broader project management and commercial systems is beneficial. Experience with construction-specific management software that integrates design, procurement, and commercial aspects will be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific software isn't listed, a Senior Design Manager in construction is expected to be digitally proficient. Familiarity with BIM (Building Information Modeling) is increasingly becoming a standard requirement for managing complex design coordination, so highlighting any experience in this area would be beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Professionalism & Responsibility: A strong emphasis on accountability, attention to detail, and delivering with certainty and assurance, as per the "Robertson Way."

• Determination to Succeed: A proactive, solution-oriented approach to challenges, focusing on safety, productivity, and quality.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively as "Team Robertson" with colleagues, partners, and customers, respecting all contributions.

• Listening & Openness: Valuing diverse perspectives and ensuring all voices are heard, fostering an inclusive environment.

• Sustainability: A commitment to delivering for a "truly sustainable future," integrating environmental considerations into design and operations.

Collaboration Style:

• The company promotes a collaborative and professional working style. Expect a team environment where open communication is encouraged, and contributions from all levels are valued.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, requiring effective working relationships with site teams, commercial departments, procurement, and external stakeholders to achieve project goals.

• A culture of continuous improvement is likely, where feedback is exchanged to refine processes and enhance project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Robertson Way" principles are central to the company's identity and expected behavior. Candidates should be able to articulate how their own values and working style align with these principles, demonstrating a cultural fit beyond just technical skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Diverse Stakeholders: Effectively coordinating multiple external contractors and subcontractors, each with their own priorities and timelines, while ensuring alignment with project goals.

• Navigating Design Changes: Adapting to unexpected challenges and project changes, requiring quick decision-making and the ability to revise designs without compromising quality or schedule.

• Ensuring Quality & Compliance: Maintaining high standards of design quality and strict adherence to health & safety regulations and project specifications across all design elements.

• Balancing Speed and Detail: The inherent tension between project deadlines and the need for meticulous design development and review.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone leadership skills through managing project design teams and potentially mentoring junior staff.

• Industry Best Practices: Exposure to a wide range of construction projects, allowing for continuous learning about evolving design methodologies, materials, and technologies.

• E-Learning Access: The company provides access to e-learning resources, enabling self-paced development in areas relevant to construction management, design, and leadership.

• Career Progression: As a large, established company, Robertson Group offers clear pathways for career advancement within design management and broader project leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is designed for individuals who thrive in dynamic environments and view challenges as opportunities for growth. Highlighting how you've overcome similar challenges in past roles will be crucial during the interview process.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to managing the design and build process for a complex construction project, focusing on contractor and subcontractor coordination." (Prepare to discuss your phased approach, key control points, and communication strategies.)

• "How do you ensure adherence to project specifications and drawings while also managing the design and delivery program effectively?" (Focus on your methods for quality control, risk mitigation, and program management.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do your professional values align with the 'Robertson Way' principles?" (Research the principles thoroughly and prepare specific examples of how you embody them – e.g., how you listen to team members, take responsibility for errors, or drive for success.)

• "What does 'seeing things differently' mean to you in the context of construction design management?" (Think about innovation, efficiency improvements, problem-solving approaches, and sustainability.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio presentation logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating key skills (e.g., one project for coordination, one for problem-solving).

• Visuals: Use clear visuals – drawings, site photos, process flowcharts – to illustrate your points.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the positive impact of your work (e.g., "reduced design lead time by 15%", "identified cost savings of £X through value engineering").

• Storytelling: Frame your project examples as compelling stories of challenge, action, and result.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with contract administration and how you work with commercial teams to manage divergences. This is a critical part of the role that bridges design and project finance.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Robertson Careers portal.

• Tailor your CV: Ensure it clearly highlights your degree qualification in a construction-related subject and your extensive experience in design management, emphasizing achievements relevant to contractor coordination, specification adherence, and program management. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your strongest projects that best showcase your ability to manage complex design processes, coordinate various stakeholders, and deliver high-quality results. Be ready to present specific examples during the interview process.

• Research Robertson Group: Understand their company values ("The Robertson Way"), their commitment to sustainability, and their position in the UK construction market. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate cultural fit.

• Practice Interview Questions: Prepare answers for both technical and behavioral questions, focusing on demonstrating your leadership capabilities, problem-solving skills, and alignment with the company's ethos.

⚠️ 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.