Design Manager

The Opportunity

Location: Southampton

We’re looking for an experienced Design Manager to join our project delivery team, playing a key role across live projects and supporting our Work Winning team during tenders to help secure future work.

You’ll be responsible for managing and coordinating the design process from tender stage through to the delivery of construction‑stage design information. Working closely with design partners, project teams and subcontractors, you’ll ensure innovative, buildable and cost‑effective design solutions that deliver best value for all stakeholders.

What you will be doing:

• Managing and coordinating design activities across projects of varying size, complexity and value, from tender through to construction.
• Supporting tender submissions by reviewing design information, Contractors’ Proposals and qualifications, and ensuring compliant, deliverable solutions.
• Working with appointed design partners to develop innovative, buildable designs aligned to client briefs, programme and budget.
• Building strong working relationships with clients, managing expectations through early concept stages and maintaining clear, regular communication.
• Chairing and leading design team meetings and workshops to agree practical, cost‑effective solutions that support procurement and construction.
• Actively challenging buildability, driving value engineering and promoting best practice throughout the design phase.
• Managing design risk, interfaces and information flow to ensure design outputs align with procurement and construction programmes.
• Monitoring performance using KPIs, addressing non-performance promptly and escalating issues where required.
• Reviewing design packages to identify construction risks, interface issues and practical challenges, resolving these collaboratively with the design team and specialist subcontractors.
• Supporting subcontractor selection, including interviews, enquiries and the review of subcontractor‑designed packages.
• Appointing and managing Design Coordinators, ensuring appropriate terms, conditions and performance standards are in place.

What we will need from you:

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels, both verbally and in writing.
• Proven ability to plan, organise and manage programmes and design outputs.
• A proactive, analytical problem solver with a client‑focused approach.
• Effective leadership skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a wider team.
• Well‑developed technical construction knowledge and experience of managing design standards (e.g. WIMES, client standards).
• Competent user of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word) and collaborative platforms.
• Experience using P6, Microsoft Project or similar planning software (desirable).
• Degree qualified in a relevant construction discipline.
• Professional qualification such as CEng or MCIOB (desirable).

What we can offer you

• Competitive salary
• Car allowance
• 26 days annual leave (with the opportunity to buy or sell up to 3 days holiday)
• 3 additional long service days achieved after 3, 7 and 10 years
• Private medical insurance for yourself (with the option to buy family cover)
• Life Assurance
• Defined contribution pension scheme matched up to 8%
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and parental leave
• 2 days volunteering opportunities
• Flexible and Agile working (dependent on your role)
• Employee Assistance Programme – including financial advice and guidance.
• Professional membership fees
• Perks at Work Employee discount scheme offering discounts on a range of categories such as electronics, home appliances, food & groceries, car buying, travel, fitness and more
• Flexible Benefits scheme which includes the opportunity to purchase benefits such as:
• Critical illness insurance (with option to purchase for your partner)
• Dental Insurance
• Travel insurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Retail vouchers/payroll giving/activity pass for top leisure attractions

Who we are

Tilbury Douglas is a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit‑out company. We deliver vital projects across a range of sectors including health, education, highways, justice, defence, aviation, water and environment.

It is our people who make Tilbury Douglas a success. We believe our inclusive culture encourages new ways of thinking, enabling us to innovate whilst remaining resilient. We value and celebrate all individual differences and look forward to receiving your application. We have now achieved our Investors in Diversity status.

Please note we do not have a sponsorship licence.

Please note that this role is subject to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance which includes identity, employment history, and criminal record checks.

We look forward to receiving your application!

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