Senior Design Manager

Job Title: Senior Design Manager

Area: Kings Lynn

Shift Pattern: Monday to Friday (Days) Hybrid Flex available

Permanent

Salary: Excellent Salary 

Role Purpose

My Client is looking for an experienced Senior Design Manager to lead and coordinate the design and engineering process for our timber-focused projects, from early tender stages through to detailed manufacturing and final on-site construction. You will be the technical authority, guiding multidisciplinary design teams to deliver innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective timber structures (including Timber Frame and Mass Timber / CLT).

Key Responsibilities

1. Design & Engineering Leadership

• Lead and mentor a team of internal design technicians, CAD/BIM coordinators, and external consultants.
• Drive the adoption of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) principles to ensure seamless integration between the design office, timber manufacturing/prefabrication facilities, and the site installation.
• Oversee the production of precise architectural, structural, and fabrication drawings, ensuring they are error-free and issued on schedule.

2. Pre-Construction & Bidding

• Support the Preconstruction and Estimating teams by providing technical timber design expertise and evaluating design-based bid submissions.

3. Compliance & Risk Management

•  Proactively perform design risk assessments and identify structural or interface clashes to mitigate financial and commercial risk.
• Maintain thorough document management procedures and ensure compliance with ISO 19650 / BIM protocols.

4. Stakeholder & Client Interface

• Chair regular design team meetings, record actions, and track deliverables against critical milestones.
• Act as the primary technical point of contact for clients, architects, and main contractors.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Degree or equivalent qualification in Architecture, Civil/Structural Engineering, or Construction Management.
• Sector Experience: 5–10+ years in design management, specifically within the timber engineering or timber frame construction industry.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of wood products (GLULAM, CLT, closed-panel systems) and their structural connections.
• Software: Proficiency in relevant CAD/BIM software and timber design MiTek design software Compliance: Comprehensive knowledge of UK Building Regulations and CDM regulations.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional leadership skills, conflict resolution, commercial awareness, and proven experience managing external consultants.