Principal Design Manager

Are you ready to lead the design process on some of the most exciting and innovative projects in the region? Willmott Dixon is seeking a Principal Design Manager to support the Head of Design in ensuring quality is at the heart of all design led activities. Based out of our Hitchin office, you'll enjoy a hybrid working model with time split between the office, home, and projects.

What You'll Do

As a Principal Design Manager, you'll support the Head of Design in communicating the expectations required from the design management function to the team. You'll drive the understanding of our strategies and policies and their implementation on projects. You'll assist with the finding and winning of work.

• You'll oversee projects that are designed to a high standard, using innovative and sustainable technologies and delivered on time and to budget
• Overseeing a team of design managers with varying levels of experience, including trainees, ensuring they achieve the requirements of their roles and have opportunities for development, carrying out
• You'll review, monitor and report on the agreed strategy for design achieving Willmott Dixon's definition of design complete before main contract signing, to the Head of Design
• You'll review project compliance with local construction offices, Group, industry and statutory standards and policies and report consistently on targets achieved and key risks
• You'll ensure your team provide consistency in the timing and quality of deliverables provided by the external team at each RIBA stage, with clear accountability for each team member
• You'll identify areas for design improvement, outside of the day to day of project delivery or team management, supporting support the Head of Design in their development and implementation
• Actively engage in building the wider development of the design management discipline and team
• You'll play your part in delivering the project's sustainability and social value commitments

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in design management within the construction industry, with a focus on complex, projects within multiple sectors.
• Able to use Microsoft suite of office programmes including Excel, Word, Outlook and Microsoft Project, Bluebeam, use appropriate software to review 3D models and CDE (Dalux and Viewpoint preferable).
• Have the ability to self-reflect and for this to inform strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and build consensus.

Desirable Criteria

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or a related field. A master's degree is preferred.
• Professional certifications or memberships in relevant industry associations are desirable.
• Valid driving licence.
• Appropriate CSCS Card.

Additional Information

We reward our people generously with a competitive salary and a market-leading benefits package that gives you flexible benefits to fit your lifestyle and priorities. This includes but is not limited to, an enhanced pension scheme, discounted or full private medical, life assurance, incentive bonus and a car scheme which will make us a market leader in sustainable company travel.

At Willmott Dixon we provide an inclusive and flexible working environment for people to thrive in and we are happy to support agile working wherever possible. We are a proud member of the Disability Confident Scheme.

About Us

With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon's purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive. Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe's 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025. Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.