Lead Design Manager

About us

Lendlease are a globally integrated real estate group, we draw on decades of experience and the latest thinking in development, design, placemaking, construction and investments to deliver iconic and enormously successful places.

With UK roots going back over 100 years, Lendlease’s Construction business brings deep knowledge and capability to all that we do. We are a trusted construction partner to many of the most respected private and public sector organisations in the UK.

Whether a new build, a repurposed or reconstructed property, a heritage restoration or a multi-phased development, our clients trust us to drive delivery, deal with complexity, and provide strategic and long-term economic and social value with innovative and sustainable solutions.

The role

We are currently recruiting for a Lead Design Manager to join our Public Sector and Regions Construction business as part of our DEOP team. DEOP (Defence Estate Optimisation Programme) is £5.1bn government major programme of works to rationalise the Defence Estate across the UK. Lendlease have been awarded five DEOP projects all based in the West Midlands region. The project sites are located in Bicester, Gloucester, Stafford, Leicestershire and Cirencester. All projects are currently in conversion stage. Preconstruction phase, for individual projects, commenced in September 2023. During initial preconstruction phase this role will need to be based in our Birmingham office, with the teams moving to site location as the project preconstruction develops.

The Lead Design Manager role is to drive design management excellence across the DEOP portfolio and is responsible for managing the compliance and performance of the external design team, on projects, to ensure the best design solutions are achieved whilst maintaining the essence of the design concept throughout the project life cycle by resolving buildability, safety, cost, programme issues through the pre-contract, construction and post contract stages of the design process. The role of the Lead Design Manager is to ensure that an effective and productive liaison is established between the external design team, the construction and commercial team and Statutory Authorities whilst interfacing with the client team. Your role is also responsible for the people management of the DEOP Design Manager team. This will require an overview of projects and resourcing within the Lead Design Manager’s team.

What will you do?

• Overview of the design across all the projects, to ensure a consistent and compliant portfolio approach.
• Management of the Design Managers, Document Controllers and BIM Managers on the project teams.
• Formulate, lead and implement a Design Strategy inc. Document Control for the project.
• Manage and record Lessons Learned throughout the Design Process and ensure these are incorporated into any future projects and design stages.
• Audit all Design Stage Reports and ensure comments are actioned in the next design.
• Add value to the project through sensible and practical Value Engineering, seeking alternative
• options in design whilst maintaining the essence of the design through all stages of the design process.
• Drive the supply chain management of the finished product through leading, motivating and managing the external consultants at a Principal’s Level.
• Ensure Consultants Appointments are in line with Lendlease Protocols.
• Within the DEOP Design Management group the Lead Design Manager will have the following accountabilities:
• Responsible for people management of direct line reports.
• Overview of projects within the Lead Design Manager’s team.
• Resourcing within the Lead Design Manager’s team.
• Active participation in Lendlease Design Management Leadership Team.

You will bring

• A construction related degree (BSc or MSc in construction project management, building studies or
• architecture).
• Registered and construction industry professional; Registered Architect, Chartered Engineer.
• Trained in all safety matters and holder of CSCS card for Project Managers.
• Thorough knowledge of the complete design and construction process.
• Thorough knowledge of design and construction technical details.
• Experience in the selection and procurement of designers on a competitive basis.
• Able to direct, and where necessary negotiate with, major design practices.
• Previous experience of the construction stages on new build Shell and Core, Cat A and B Fit Out
• construction projects as a design manager/architect on a commercial building .
• Previous experience of leading a design team.
• Experience and detailed knowledge of the RIBA Work Stages.
• Experience and detailed knowledge of the Professional Services Agreements .
• Experience and detailed knowledge of Designer Scope of Services.
• Experience and detailed knowledge of statutory regulations and technical codes of practice.
• Experience in the creation and use of project control mechanisms.
• Technical knowledge of the client’s design requirements.
• Experience of the NEC Design and Build, JCT and CM forms of Contract.
• Technical knowledge of all statutory legislation relating to the roll-out design.
• Excellent language and communication skills relating to technical material.
• Able to present technical and procedural material to audiences.
• Trained and certified to carry out formal audits of project for BREEAM compliance.
• Competent IT skills in relevant programmes; Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Project, Acrobat,
• Autocad/ Microstation, BIM, Navisworks etc.

What we provide

• Car allowance
• Flexible and hybrid work options
• Industry leading pension scheme
• Private medical health benefit and dental plan options
• Enhanced parental leave
• Life assurance
• 25 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell additional days
• Wellbeing leave
• Health and wellbeing support and initiatives
• 24/7 confidential Employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership to over 2,500 gym’s nation wide

Want to find out more about our benefits? Click here .

Please note that due to the nature of this role, national security vetting procedures apply and a full UK security check will be carried out for the successful candidate. Further details about national security vetting can be found here: United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK ( or Vetting explained - GOV.UK (

Belong at Lendlease

We offer workplaces that unite diverse minds; where respect, equal treatment and equal opportunity are just the norm. We are a disability inclusive employer. Click here to see our standard recruitment process. If you need any adjustment or changes to the process, email us to let us know if you have a preferred communication method.

We build careers, develop skills, and invest in people. Imagine what more you can do here.

Lendlease is committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer of choice by engaging, enabling and empowering our people. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. Inclusion sets us all up for success and we particularly encourage applications from currently under-represented groups in our industry including those who self-identify as women, black, Asian, minority ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/ or disabled.