Associate Director - Design Management

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

We are seeking an exceptional Associate Director - Design Management to join one of Europe's most significant aviation and transport infrastructure programmes. This is a rare opportunity to play a leading role in the delivery of a nationally important project that will transform connectivity, support long-term economic growth, and create a lasting legacy for future generations.

As Associate Director, you will provide strategic leadership across a complex portfolio of design activities, ensuring the successful integration, coordination, and delivery of multidisciplinary design solutions. Working closely with clients, consultants, contractors, regulators, and senior project stakeholders, you will drive excellence throughout the project lifecycle while leading and developing a high-performing design management team.

The project: You will be responsible for establishing and maintaining robust design management processes, ensuring compliance with contractual, statutory, regulatory, and business requirements. Acting as a trusted partner to the client and project leadership team, you will provide strategic oversight across multiple workstreams, ensuring design delivery aligns with programme objectives, budget constraints, schedule requirements, and operational aspirations.

This role offers the opportunity to influence major project outcomes, drive innovation, champion best practice, and contribute to the delivery of sustainable, future-ready infrastructure.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Providing strategic leadership for all design management activities across the programme.
• Developing and implementing design management strategies, governance frameworks, and delivery plans.
• Directing multidisciplinary design teams and ensure appropriate resources are deployed to meet programme requirements.
• Overseeing design integration across multiple packages, disciplines, and stakeholders.
• Managing consultant appointments and design service providers where contractually required.
• Acting as the primary escalation point for design-related issues, risks, and opportunities.
• Building strong relationships with clients, regulators, consultants, and project partners.
• Monitoring programme-wide design performance, reporting progress, KPIs, and key risks to senior leadership teams.
• Driving continuous improvement through the application of lessons learned, innovation, and best practice.
• Directing design risk management activities and ensure effective mitigation strategies are implemented.
• Supporting business development, work-winning activities, and the growth of design management capability within Mace.
• Mentoring, coaching, and developing design management professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
• Championing digital delivery, sustainable design principles, and the transition towards net zero carbon outcomes.

You’ll need to have:

• You will be an accomplished design leader with experience delivering major infrastructure, aviation, transportation, engineering, or complex building programmes.
• Credibility and leadership skills required to influence senior stakeholders and drive successful outcomes within a highly complex project environment.
• Extensive experience leading design management teams on large-scale infrastructure or construction programmes.
• Strong understanding of design management systems, design coordination, design risk management, and design assurance processes.
• Expertise in design planning, design scheduling, design deliverables management, and programme integration.
• Excellent knowledge of construction delivery, consultancy environments, and project lifecycle management.
• Strong understanding of relevant building regulations, health and safety legislation, professional appointments, and construction contracts.
• Ability to lead, influence, and challenge senior stakeholders to achieve project objectives.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, organisational, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex consultant interfaces.
• Proven ability to drive innovation, continuous improvement, and transformational change.
• Demonstrated commitment to developing and mentoring teams. 
• Degree qualified in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• Chartered or professionally qualified with a recognised institution such as RIBA, ICE, CIOB, RICS, CIBSE, CIAT, or equivalent.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well\: We champion a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of wellbeing in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise\: We own the quality of deliverables, strategic outcomes and build long term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing\: We influence positive outcomes within our industry, while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel\: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop. 

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable with-in the role.

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