Senior Design Manager

The Vacancy

At Wates, we’re delivering some of the region’s most ambitious, technically challenging projects — and we’re looking for a Senior Design Manager to help lead the way.

This role isn’t for someone who wants to maintain the status quo. We’re looking for someone who understands the responsibility and influence that comes with senior design leadership — and who’s ready to make a measurable impact across our diverse, high-profile portfolio.

You’ll bring strategic thinking, technical depth, and a collaborative mindset — and in return, we’ll give you the platform, the people and the projects to elevate your career to the next level.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading design strategy and coordination across major construction projects, ensuring buildability, compliance, and commercial viability.

• Assessing design risks and opportunities at every stage, delivering value through early, intelligent input.

• Managing consultant teams and driving accountability through structured programmes and clear expectations.

• Working closely with our Commercial and Operational teams to deliver fully integrated, aligned solutions.

• Championing best practice, contributing to technical excellence, and mentoring others across the business.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive salary & profit share scheme

• Flexible working

• Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade)

• Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates)

• Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more…

• Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression.

• Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity.

To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/

We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group.

If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies, discuss career opportunities in strict confidence or need anything to make our recruitment process easier, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly or via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible.

As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships.

Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant’s criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.

To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting

Work for Wates

Wates is one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies.  Founded over 125 years ago, we have a proud legacy in the built environment.

We are driven by our purpose, ‘reimagining places for people to thrive’ and our three promises:

• Thriving places – working with customers, partners and communities to create places that are more sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
• Thriving planet – protecting nature and taking action on climate change by collaborating and innovating with our partners.
• Thriving people – creating opportunities and relationships so that everyone who works for and with us feels included, invested in and treated with care.

We are proud to be recognised as Gold Investors in People and as a Disability Confident employer.  We also ensure that our recruitment processes do not treat anyone less favourably due to an offending background.