Senior Design Manager

Job description

Senior Design Manager

Location: Corsham, Wiltshire

Sector: Data Centres & Mission Critical Construction

Salary: £85,000 - £95,000 + Package

The Opportunity

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Design Manager to lead the design delivery of a major £80 million data centre development in Corsham, Wiltshire.

Joining the project during Stage 4 design, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the successful delivery of this technically complex scheme before enabling works commence later this year and main construction begins in 2027. You'll work closely with senior project leadership, consultants and specialist subcontractors to ensure the design process supports every stage of procurement, construction and commissioning.

This is a strategic position within a growing specialist contractor that has built an outstanding reputation delivering complex projects across the data centre, defence and energy sectors. If you enjoy leading teams, influencing project strategy and delivering technically challenging developments, this represents an outstanding career opportunity.

Role Overview

As Senior Design Manager, you'll take overall responsibility for the design function throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring information is delivered to the highest technical standard whilst remaining fully aligned with programme, commercial and construction objectives.

You'll be leading multidisciplinary design teams, coordinating consultants and working closely with project delivery teams to ensure design information is available when required and that technical issues are identified and resolved before they impact construction.

Working as the senior design lead, you'll oversee design governance, manage project risks, chair design workshops and maintain strong relationships with clients and external consultants throughout the project. You'll also drive value engineering initiatives, ensuring designs remain practical, buildable and commercially viable without compromising quality.

Beyond project delivery, you'll mentor and develop Design Managers and Assistant Design Managers, helping establish consistent design management standards across the wider business while promoting innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.

This is a leadership role where your technical expertise, commercial awareness and ability to bring people together will have a genuine impact on the success of one of the UK's most exciting mission-critical developments.

About You

You'll already have significant experience leading design management on major construction projects and be comfortable managing multidisciplinary design teams through both pre-construction and live delivery phases.

You understand how good design management influences every aspect of a project, from programme certainty and commercial performance through to buildability, quality and successful handover. You're confident managing consultants, challenging technical solutions where appropriate and ensuring projects remain compliant with contractual and statutory requirements.

You'll be someone who enjoys building relationships, leading meetings and providing clear direction to both internal and external teams. Previous experience delivering data centres or other technically complex projects would certainly be advantageous, although candidates from sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceutical, advanced manufacturing or major commercial construction are equally encouraged to apply.

Ideally, you'll be degree qualified with membership of a recognised professional institution such as CIOB, RIBA or ICE, while Chartered status would be viewed favourably.

Company Profile

This specialist contractor delivers some of the UK's most technically demanding projects across the data centre, defence and energy sectors. Providing an integrated service from early design and engineering through to construction, commissioning and client occupation, the business has established long-standing relationships with blue-chip clients by consistently delivering high-quality, innovative solutions.

With a strong pipeline of secured work and continued investment across both projects and people, they offer genuine long-term career opportunities for ambitious professionals looking to work on landmark developments within the mission-critical sector.

What's in it for you?

• £85,000 - £95,000 + Package
• Car Allowance
• BUPA Healthcare & Cash Plan
• Competitive Pension Scheme
• ⚡ Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Eyecare Vouchers
• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays + Birthday off
• Genuine senior leadership and progression opportunities
• Opportunity to lead the design delivery of an £80 million hyperscale data centre

About Walker & Sloan

Walker & Sloan are a B Corp Certified recruitment business specialising exclusively in construction and the built environment. We work closely with contractors, developers and consultancies across the UK, providing a confidential and professional recruitment service for both clients and candidates.

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Corsham

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

04-08-2026

Profession type

Design / Fashion

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English