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Job Title: Senior Design Manager
Location: Darlington, North East England
Contract Type: Contract

About the Project

A major new government hub development is set to transform the centre of Darlington. The £118m project will deliver a landmark office building designed to accommodate over 1,400 civil servants, forming part of the UK Government’s regional growth and investment strategy. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, with completion planned for early 2027.

This is a high-profile, technically challenging project — ideal for a Senior Design Manager with experience leading complex design and build schemes across the public or commercial sectors.

The Role

As Senior Design Manager, you will take ownership of the design process from pre-construction through delivery, ensuring design intent, technical coordination, and programme alignment. Working closely with project stakeholders, consultants, and internal delivery teams, you’ll ensure all design information is fully coordinated, compliant, and delivered to the highest standard.

Key Responsibilities

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Lead and manage the design process from concept through construction stages

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Oversee consultant design teams to ensure timely delivery of coordinated information

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Ensure designs meet client requirements, statutory compliance, and project standards

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Chair design team meetings and manage interface between design and delivery teams

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Provide design input into pre-construction, tendering, and value-engineering activities

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Identify design risks and develop mitigation strategies

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Liaise with planning, building control, and other statutory bodies as required

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Maintain design programme alignment with overall project schedule and milestones

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Support quality assurance and buildability reviews

Skills & Experience Required

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Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager or Design Manager on large-scale commercial or public-sector construction projects

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Strong understanding of design coordination, BIM processes, and technical compliance

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Track record managing multidisciplinary design teams

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Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

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Knowledge of current UK building regulations, CDM, and best practice design management

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Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline (Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or similar)

Benefits

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Competitive salary and package

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Long-term pipeline of major public-sector projects

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Opportunity to work on a flagship regional development