Senior Design Manager - Aviation

About BakerHicks

Our Aviation team delivers multidisciplinary design and engineering solutions for airport and aviation clients. Working in complex operational environments, we support the successful delivery of projects that enhance infrastructure, improve passenger experience and enable future growth.

As part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team, you'll work alongside architects, engineers, project managers and technical specialists to deliver innovative, practical and buildable solutions across a diverse portfolio of aviation projects.

The Opportunity

BakerHicks is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to join our Aviation team, supporting the delivery of multidisciplinary design and infrastructure projects within airport and aviation environments.

This is a key leadership role for an experienced design professional with an architectural or multidisciplinary background who can lead the delivery of complex projects from concept through to completion. You'll be responsible for coordinating multidisciplinary design teams, driving programme performance, managing stakeholder relationships and ensuring high-quality, compliant and buildable design solutions.

Working closely with Project Managers, technical discipline leads, commercial teams and clients, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and in line with programme, budget and contractual requirements.

Beyond project delivery, you'll help shape best practice within the team, mentor colleagues and provide leadership across the design management function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design delivery of complex multidisciplinary aviation projects.
• Manage and coordinate internal and external design teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop, manage and monitor design programmes, ensuring key milestones and deliverables are achieved.
• Lead design coordination meetings, workshops and project reviews.
• Drive collaboration between technical disciplines, consultants, contractors and client teams.
• Manage the flow of design information to ensure quality, consistency and timely delivery.
• Identify and mitigate design risks, clashes and programme impacts.
• Monitor progress against project scope, programme and client requirements.
• Manage design changes, scope development and technical approvals throughout project delivery.
• Support the successful coordination of project deliverables, submissions and technical reviews.
• Ensure designs consider buildability, operational requirements, programme constraints and project objectives.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and guidance to Design Managers and other members of the project team.
• Promote design management best practice and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, delivery partners and key stakeholders.
• Support project reporting activities and provide updates on design progress, risks and upcoming deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with BakerHicks' Integrated Management System (IMS), quality standards and project governance procedures.

About You

Qualifications

• Degree, HND or equivalent qualification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Design Management or a related discipline.
• Chartered status through APM, RIBA or an equivalent professional institution is preferred.
• Exceptional candidates with significant relevant experience may also be considered.

Experience & Skills

• Architectural or multidisciplinary design background.
• Proven experience leading the delivery of multidisciplinary projects within aviation, infrastructure, construction or similar complex environments.
• Strong understanding of design management principles and project delivery processes.
• Demonstrable experience managing and coordinating multidisciplinary design teams.
• Experience developing and managing design programmes to achieve project milestones and deliverables.
• Confident chairing meetings, workshops and design reviews with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong client-facing skills and the ability to develop and maintain long-term professional relationships.
• Good understanding of NEC contracts and the impact of contractual requirements on design delivery.
• Experience managing scope, programme milestones, design change and project coordination activities.
• Strong awareness of commercial, programme and delivery considerations within major projects.
• Ability to identify, manage and resolve design coordination issues before they impact project delivery.
• Excellent organisational, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A collaborative leadership style with a passion for mentoring and developing others.
• Ability to set high standards and drive excellence across project teams.

Why Join BakerHicks?

At BakerHicks, you'll have the opportunity to work on complex and rewarding aviation projects alongside industry-leading professionals. We foster a collaborative environment where innovation, technical excellence and professional development are encouraged at every level.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established Design Manager looking to take a leading role in project delivery, client engagement and team development within a growing aviation business.

If you're passionate about delivering high-quality multidisciplinary projects and enjoy leading teams in a client-facing environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to security clearance or security assurance levels. 

The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance or assurance level for this role, in line with client and sector requirements.

In some cases, additional nationality or residency criteria may also apply due to specific client or national security obligations.

Further information on National security clearance levels can be found on the UK Government website: (National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK) 

About BakerHicks

We’ve been innovating in design, engineering and project delivery since 1957 and operate from 14 locations for a truly European reach. For more about our company story, see: About | BakerHicks.

BakerHicks. A Morgan Sindall Group company.

Benefits

Whatever your discipline, you’ll be alongside some of the most talented people in the industry. Our network of offices are appealing, friendly and comfortable spaces, easily accessible by car or public transport. And our salary and benefits packages are some of the best in the industry.

What you get will depend on what you do, with individual performance-related rewards also on offer in addition to:

• Company car or cash allowance
• Up to 6% matched contributory pension plan
• Life assurance scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus ability to buy additional leave
• Discount scheme (including gym membership, mobile phones etc)
• Flexible/hybrid working
• Family friendly policies
• Employee assistance
• Professional development

BakerHicks is an equal opportunity employer. We care about creating an inclusive atmosphere and are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion throughout.
BakerHicks is an inclusive organisation welcoming talent from all backgrounds. Applicants are assessed on the basis of personal merit and qualifications.

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