Overview

Are you an experienced design professional ready to take ownership of complex, high-profile projects? We’re looking for aSenior Design Managerwho thrives in a fast-paced environment, balancing creativity, technical precision, and commercial awareness to deliver outstanding results.

In this key role, you’ll manage the design and development process across a diverse portfolio, ensuring every project meets customer expectations, business objectives, and sustainability goals. You’ll be the bridge between innovation and execution—bringing ideas to life while maintaining the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

This role is based at our Chester office, with flexibility to work from home and includestravel to project sites as required.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll be responsible for reviewing consultant appointments and ensuring compliance with agreed scopes of service. You’ll coordinate design deliverables across disciplines, manage proposals within BIM and commercial constraints, and advise on buildability and technical feasibility. Your role will involve tracking progress, managing submissions to clients and statutory bodies, and identifying opportunities for value engineering and offsite/prefabrication. You’ll also support sustainability initiatives, contribute to procurement planning, and help capture and share best practices across the business.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone with proven experience in a design or technical management role, who brings strong communication and stakeholder coordination skills. You’ll have a deep understanding of design processes, construction methods, and commercial drivers, along with a passion for sustainability and innovation. Experience of high-rise PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation) or BTR (Build to Rent) schemes is essential. The ability to work collaboratively across teams and disciplines is also key, as is a proactive and solution-focused mindset.

Why Choose Watkin Jones Group?

At Watkin Jones, we believe in investing in our people. Here’s what we can offer you:

• Work-Life Balance: 25 days of annual leave (increasing with tenure), agile working arrangements, and discounted gym memberships.
• Wellbeing: Access to ‘Your Wellbeing’ programme & OpenUp – a confidential wellbeing platform.
• Rewards: Discretionary annual bonus, health cash plan, life insurance, and more.
• Benefits: Exclusive shopping discounts, and a contributory pension scheme.

This is an opportunity to take on a high-impact role within a forward-thinking company. In return, we offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the chance to work on major projects that shape the built environment.

Watkin Jones Group is the UK’s leading developer, builder, and manager of residential-for-rent homes, with a rich history dating back to 1791. With 54,000+ homes developed and in-build across over 254 schemes, we have a proven track record of success. Our operating arm, Fresh, manages over 18,500 units across 58 schemes, representing approximately £1.7bn of assets under management.

Joining us means becoming part of a company that’s not only deeply rooted in history but also firmly focused on the future. We’re committed to creating high-quality rental homes, fostering vibrant communities, and driving sustainable development.