Associate Director - Design Management in London

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.

Due to continued growth our mobility team is growing in 2027. We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Design Manager to join our team in West London. If you have experience delivering major infrastructure programmes we'd love to hear from you.

You'll be responsible for:

• Directs and supports in the implementation and maintenance of the design management system and adhereance to meeting business, statutory, legal, and contractual requirements.
• Responsible for managing team/s to deliver key outcomes and contributing to the strategic development of design management systems.
• Provides leadership and direction through managers, delivering continuous improvements in processes through application of best practices and lessons learned and business improvement, delivering distinctive value for clients.
• Oversee the portfolio programme for all projects and highlight opportunities or key challenges.
• Engage with the client team for a successful journey on the project.
• Contributes and inputs in to strategy development, develops plans and oversees the delivery and manages the achievement of annual business plan to time and budget.
• Assesses and defines project strategic design management delivery.
• Implements and approve consultant appointments across all work streams when contractually required.
• Builds and leads project design team (internal/external) to ensure correct resource is allocated and project deliverables are clear.
• Partners with multiple internal and external stakeholders, working in collaboration to (implement strategy/programmes/initiatives).
• Manages, influences & negotiates with key senior stakeholders.
• Act as the day to day operational manager for any design managers or other design management resource deployed to the project.
• Leads and presents management review data/ key performance indicators (KPIs) to senior leadership.
• Supports business development and work winning activities.
• Delivers continuous improvements in processes through application of best practices and lessons learned. Drives transformational change.
• Responsible for ensuring the identification, development, and delivery of relevant training.
• Ensures management systems are followed during project lifecycle roles and responsibilities are adhered by.
• Is the focal point for design issues, ensuring client relationships are managed and maintained.
• Provides leadership and strategic direction for all design engineering activities to team/s, including external stakeholders.

• Membership of RIBA,MICE,CIBSE,CIOB, RICS,CIAT or equivalent demonstrable professional or personal development.
• Extensive experience in the successful delivery phase of projects and programmes in the Infrastructure sector.
• Leadership and management experience of large, diverse teams.
• Experience of managing relationships with key senior stakeholders.
• Excellent knowledge and application of design management systems, design risk management and mitigation, prefabrication/ build strategies. Business planning and comminication. Good knowledge of all design disciplines.
• Expertise in the formulation of design workflows, design scheduling and design deliverables.
• Expertise in delivering different typologies and complexities.
• Proactively manage internal budgets and fees, delivering agreed outcomes.

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 within the role.