Design Manager

About the Role

About You

Responsibilities

• Identify and agree project objectives with the Project Director and develop a strategy for achieving programme, budget and quality targets.
• Assemble and own the design delivery programme and delivery plans, keeping these updated as design develops.
• Facilitate communication, co-ordination and information flow with the client, internal teams, sub-consultants and partners.
• Lead Design Team Meetings (DTMs), ensuring clear minutes, decisions and timely completion of actions.
• Implement and continuously improve project management processes (e.g., change control) and co-ordinate target-led workshops to resolve critical design issues.
• Manage RFIs, early warnings and general communications to reduce project risk and support successful delivery.
• Analyse, process and respond to design transmittals (drawings, specifications, reports and other project documents).
• Review and evaluate quotations to ensure alignment with scope, budget and client requirements.
• Manage changes and delays, ensuring impacts are assessed and resolved or mitigated appropriately.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of project scope and design responsibility, update design delivery programme, resources and instructions accordingly.
• Itemise scope of services, briefing schedules and documentation requirements; regularly assess against standards to improve deliverables.
• Instigate efficiency, appropriate innovation and buildability across design stages with the wider design team.
• Ensure technical compliance and quality production of all deliverables; record scope changes affecting fee basis and advise the Project Director/KAH.
• Close out the project on completion, ensuring lessons learnt are captured and disseminated and that a client satisfaction process is initiated.
• Prioritise safety throughout design delivery and promote a safe working culture within project teams.
• Support post-contract completion reviews with clients and internal close-out reporting.
• Support training and succession planning to enhance team performance and future capability.
• Support the Management Team in running the practice and assist in Quality Management Systems execution (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001).
• Support practice management duties as agreed with the Area Business Group Manager, Programme Director and Project Directors.
• Carry out third-party design audits as necessary and maintain registers/technical audits on projects as required (subject to approval).
• Perform other duties as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or a related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years' experience in engineering, design management or project delivery within a design consultancy.
• Personable self-starter with a positive, professional ‘can do’ attitude and the ability to maintain strong working relationships.
• Able to work collaboratively across disciplines and establish effective rapport with team members, the wider business and clients.
• Able to work under pressure, manage a varied workload and meet tight deadlines whilst maintaining technical excellence.
• Strong leadership capability with ability to motivate, coach and guide diverse teams.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills (written and verbal), including leading meetings and producing clear minutes/actions.
• Strong risk identification and mitigation mindset; comfortable managing change control and programme impacts.
• Strong document handling and quality discipline; comfortable managing transmittals, registers and approval workflows.
• Competent in MS Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint; MS Project desirable.
• Demonstrable experience co-ordinating multi-discipline design delivery on complex projects.
• Understanding of design process, roles and responsibilities; ability to co-ordinate internal and external disciplines.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001/14001 quality processes and project governance desirable.
• Commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture. #LI-KK2
• What We Believe HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve. Our Commitment As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.