Lead Design Manager

We are experiencing an exciting period of growth, and we have an opportunity available for a talented and innovative Lead Design Manager looking to take their career to the next step. This is a key role for Deerns UK in relation to leadership in project delivery, maintaining our reputation for quality and ensuring we drive forward successfully as a growing business.

Ownership of all project-related activities is paramount for the successful individual in this role. Leadership and spreading of this ownership throughout the team is the key quality that will set the correct candidate apart.

The Lead Design Manager for Deerns UK will be responsible for the following:

• Analyse and have a full current grasp of cost and profit position on each project involving the Deerns UK teams, ranging from short-term feasibility studies to large full-scale RIBA schemes.
• Input, lead and participate in the preparation and presentation of fee bids for new Deerns UK projects.
• Review project status in relation to work delivery, internal costs and resource levels as advised by project personnel and external parties and modify schedules or plans as required. Prepare project reports for Management, Client or others.
• Day to day decision making on progress of major projects and direct liaison with the Client. Delegate and monitor for smaller projects, to Design Management or Engineering leads as appropriate.
• Ensure risk and performance monitoring analysis takes place through effective systems of internal control and delegation.
• Capture and record project briefs and distil into design gates for delivery (typically masterplan, 60%, 80% and 100% design).
• Manage project requirements to present progress and manage the acquisition of design information whilst managing multiple workstreams concurrently.
• Lead and coordinate teams to deliver coherent and well-rehearsed face to face page turn presentations.
• Manage virtual design teams working across multiple times zones.
• Collaborate with and coach the design team through the design stage on the basis that the design team are the experts and put forward recommended solutions that localise the Client’s design principles to the specific sites.
• Maintain clear and accurate records and reports. Save these in the correct locations and encourage/ensure others diligently follow suit across the board with top-level consistency.
• Lead, mentor and develop the Design Management and Engineering teams to achieve project and business goals.
• Manage external sub-consultants from a design delivery and project progress perspective. Input into invoice sign-offs supported by our Operations and Finance teams.
• Contribute to the growth of the business via business development and external relationship building. This is particularly prevalent for Clients you work with on current projects but also for new Clients where possible.
• ‘Set the standard’ in terms of how hard, how long and how professionally the team will operate.
• Drive the team, dealing with difficult issues as they arise in a fair and reasonable manner.
• Identify and address performance issues before the Client can raise them.
• Quickly understand Client’s process and develop supporting tools.
• Work autonomously, as part of a wider team and leading the team.
• Actively participate in, lead and drive new internal and external development and growth initiatives. Actively support those that are existing and continuing.
• Support the delivery of projects in accordance with the expectations of the Deerns Project Delivery Process from a Project Management, Financial Management, QA/QC and Technical Review perspective.
• Ensure Quality Assurance is diligently undertaken by project teams for all projects, and suitably recorded in line with Deerns UK Project Processes and Procedures.
• Continually review and input updates to Deerns UK Project Processes and Procedures to ensure we evolve as a practice overtime in terms of our quality of product, efficiency of delivery and ultimately profitability as a business.

Required cross-functional competencies:

• Excellent knowledge of the Data Centre and High-Tech market.
• Ability to mentor people and knowledge of relational dynamics for effective team operation.
• Excellent command of the English language (both written and spoken) and a predisposition to international relations.
• Demonstrated skills in project risk management and problem-solving, with experience in finding pragmatic and innovative solutions to overcome obstacles.

Required experience:

• Direct experience in managing projects - including complex ones - in design, including planning, execution, and control of design activities, while meeting deadlines and budgets.
• In-depth knowledge of design methodologies, industry standards, and software tools used in the design process, such as CAD/BIM software, rendering software, etc.

Desirable:

• BEng in appropriate Engineering discipline.
• MCIBSE/MIET/IMechE Professional Membership.
• Chartered Engineer status.

What we’re offering

• Competitive salary.
• Hybrid work (3 days from our London office + 2 days from home).
• 25 days annual leave + UK bank holidays (option to purchase 5 extra days)
• Referral scheme.
• Life Insurance and long-term sickness coverage.
• Up to 10% bonus.
• Pension (6% employer contribution).
• Company social events.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Perkbox (a wide range of deals and discounts including health and fitness, entertainment, tech, and electronics).
• Collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Exposure to diverse, challenging and unique projects.
• International networking opportunities within the Deerns global group.