Job description
Job summaryEarn while you learn. Design the hospitals of the future.
Are you looking for an exciting career in engineering, construction and healthcare design? Do you want to gain a fully funded degree whilst working on projects that make a real difference to patients and staff?
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and ambitious Apprentice Design Manager to join our Estates Development Team. This unique opportunity will allow you to study for a BEng (Hons) Building Services Engineering Degree Apprenticeship at London South Bank University, whilst gaining hands-on experience delivering capital projects across our hospital estate.
Working alongside experienced engineers, project managers and construction professionals, you'll help shape the future of healthcare facilities, supporting projects ranging from ward refurbishments and energy efficiency improvements to major new developments.
Main duties of the job
The Apprentice Design Manager will support the Head of Estates & Development, Pre-Construction and Compliance Manager and Design Managers with delegated responsibility for Capital Projects whilst undertaking a BEng (Hons) Building Services Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with London South Bank University.
Banding and Progression
Band 4 - Entry Level Apprentice
o Undertaking Year 1-2 of Degree Apprenticeship and completion of HND qualification and intermediate professional registration.o Developing technical knowledge and understanding of healthcare estates
Band 5 - Developing Apprentice Design Coordinator
o Successfully progressing through apprenticeship programme and completing BEng qualification.o Coordinating elements of capital projects under supervisiono Supporting briefing, design development and project governance activities
Band 6 - Design Management Officer
o Demonstrating increasing autonomyo Managing low to medium complexity projects under guidanceo Leading elements of design coordination and stakeholder engagement
Progression between bands will be subject to satisfactory academic performance, achievement of apprenticeship milestones, annual appraisal outcomes and demonstration of agreed competencies.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification for more details on the job role. attached.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification for more details on the job role. attached.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- A Level EEE - Must include Mathematics and preferably a Science in either Chemistry or Physics
- T-level (Pass or above) in Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning.
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma MPP in an Engineering subject area or Construction and Built Environment area (Must include Mathematics and Further Mathematics)
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma MM in an Engineering subject area, with a minimum of merit in Mathematics and Further Mathematics
- Building Services Engineering Technician level 3 apprenticeship MP alongside grade Pass or Distinction at EPA
- 5 GCSE's Grade 4/C or above which must include English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent)
- Demonstrable interest in Engineering, Construction, Building Services or the Built Environment
- Eligible to enrol on the BEng Building Services Engineering Degree Apprenticeship at London South Bank University
- Relevant work experience in construction, engineering, facilities or estates environment
Essential
- Understanding of the importance of safety, quality and compliance
- Interest in engineering, sustainability and construction
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Good IT skills including Microsoft Office applications
- Ability to manage and prioritise workload
- Experience using CAD, Revit or other technical software
- Knowledge of Building Services Engineering
- Understanding of NHS estates or healthcare environments
Essential
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to learn and apply technical information
- Good organisational skills
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to produce accurate written work and reports
- Willingness to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of preparing technical drawings
- Presentation and stakeholder engagement skills
- Understanding of project management principles
Essential
- Demonstrates Trust FIRST values
- Professional and reliable approach to working duties
- Flexible and adaptable approach to working duties
- Commitment to completing the Degree Apprenticeship programme
- Commitment to continuous professional development
- Ability to travel between Trust sites as required
- Ability to undertake site inspections and surveys
- Willingness to attend university study blocks and complete off-the-job training requirements
- Student membership of CIBSE, IET, IHEEM or similar professional institution
- Full UK driving licence
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- A Level EEE - Must include Mathematics and preferably a Science in either Chemistry or Physics
- T-level (Pass or above) in Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning.
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma MPP in an Engineering subject area or Construction and Built Environment area (Must include Mathematics and Further Mathematics)
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma MM in an Engineering subject area, with a minimum of merit in Mathematics and Further Mathematics
- Building Services Engineering Technician level 3 apprenticeship MP alongside grade Pass or Distinction at EPA
- 5 GCSE's Grade 4/C or above which must include English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent)
- Demonstrable interest in Engineering, Construction, Building Services or the Built Environment
- Eligible to enrol on the BEng Building Services Engineering Degree Apprenticeship at London South Bank University
- Relevant work experience in construction, engineering, facilities or estates environment
Essential
- Understanding of the importance of safety, quality and compliance
- Interest in engineering, sustainability and construction
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Good IT skills including Microsoft Office applications
- Ability to manage and prioritise workload
- Experience using CAD, Revit or other technical software
- Knowledge of Building Services Engineering
- Understanding of NHS estates or healthcare environments
Essential
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to learn and apply technical information
- Good organisational skills
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to produce accurate written work and reports
- Willingness to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of preparing technical drawings
- Presentation and stakeholder engagement skills
- Understanding of project management principles
Essential
- Demonstrates Trust FIRST values
- Professional and reliable approach to working duties
- Flexible and adaptable approach to working duties
- Commitment to completing the Degree Apprenticeship programme
- Commitment to continuous professional development
- Ability to travel between Trust sites as required
- Ability to undertake site inspections and surveys
- Willingness to attend university study blocks and complete off-the-job training requirements
- Student membership of CIBSE, IET, IHEEM or similar professional institution
- Full UK driving licence
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
Extra information
- Status
- Open
- Education Level
- Secondary School
- Location
- Bury
- Type of Contract
- Full-time jobs
- Published at
- 06-07-2026
- Full UK/EU driving license preferred
- No
- Car Preferred
- No
- Must be eligible to work in the EU
- No
- Cover Letter Required
- No
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