The Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Design Manager to join the aviation division of a leading UK principal contractor.
The business is a specialist provider of integrated engineering, building services and intelligent infrastructure solutions, delivering complex projects across critical national infrastructure and high-value assets.
As Design Manager, you will lead and coordinate electrical and building services design activities across a portfolio of technically complex aviation projects.
Reporting to the Technical Director, you will provide technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle, working closely with airport operators, clients, project teams, consultants, subcontractors and supply chain partners.
This is an excellent opportunity for a Design Manager looking to take on a senior technical position within a growing specialist division and work on high-profile aviation infrastructure and intelligent building projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, manage and develop the design team, promoting collaboration, technical excellence and continuous improvement.
- Plan and allocate design resources to support successful project delivery.
- Provide technical leadership and specialist design support to project teams, clients and key stakeholders.
- Ensure designs comply with relevant legislation, industry standards, CDM requirements and internal governance processes.
- Lead technical reviews, design meetings, site visits and engagement with consultants, subcontractors and suppliers.
- Develop and review technical scopes, specifications and design solutions.
- Support tendering and project delivery teams with technical expertise.
- Review and approve design deliverables, ensuring quality, compliance and alignment with project objectives.
- Drive innovation, best practice and the use of digital engineering solutions.
- Manage design changes through formal change control processes and identify potential commercial impacts.
- Ensure effective handover of design information to construction, commissioning and operational teams.
- Support the recruitment, development and mentoring of design team members.
About You
We're looking for an experienced Design Manager, Senior Design Manager or MEP Design Manager with a strong background in electrical, MEP or building services design.
You'll ideally have:
- Experience managing and coordinating multidisciplinary design teams.
- Strong technical knowledge of electrical and building services design.
- Experience within aviation, airports, transport, infrastructure or complex building services environments.
- Experience managing design through concept, detailed design, construction, commissioning and handover.
- Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, industry standards and CDM regulations.
- Experience working with clients, consultants, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.
- Excellent communication, organisation and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to influence and lead within multidisciplinary project teams.
- A proactive approach to problem-solving, innovation and continuous improvement.
- The professionalism and judgement required to work within complex operational environments.
Previous aviation or airport experience would be highly advantageous, although candidates from other complex infrastructure, transport, MEP or building services backgrounds will be considered.
What's on Offer?
This is an opportunity to join a well-established principal contractor with a multi-billion-pound order book and a strong pipeline of major UK infrastructure projects.
You'll be joining a specialist aviation business working on technically challenging projects where design quality, innovation and operational reliability are critical.
The company offers:
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Agile and flexible working arrangements where appropriate
- Generous annual leave, with the option to purchase additional days
- Comprehensive pension scheme
- Private medical scheme options
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Corporate discounts
- Share purchase scheme
- Professional membership support
- Extensive training and development opportunities
- Structured career development and progression
Interested?
If you're an experienced Design Manager with an electrical, MEP or building services background and are looking for your next opportunity within the aviation and infrastructure sector, we'd like to hear from you.
Apply now for a confidential discussion about the role and project pipeline.