CDM Principal Design Manager

CDM Principal Design Manager

Leading multidisciplinary engineering consultancy that delivers some of the world's most complex and technically challenging projects across data centres, digital infrastructure and high-performance built environments.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Principal Design Manager to join a growing organisation with a strong reputation for technical excellence, sustainability and innovation. You will play a key role in leading multidisciplinary design teams, managing major client relationships and delivering high-value projects from concept through to completion.

With a flexible hybrid working model, clear progression opportunities and involvement in large-scale UK and international developments, this role offers genuine career growth within a respected project delivery environment.

The Principal Design Manager Job Role

As the Principal Design Manager, you will take ownership of the design management process across complex engineering projects. You will act as the central coordination point between clients, consultants, contractors and internal teams, ensuring programme, quality, commercial and technical objectives are successfully achieved.

You will be entrusted with leading project delivery while supporting business growth, mentoring teams and driving best practice across design management.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading multidisciplinary design teams on major projects across the built environment and digital infrastructure sectors.
• Managing client relationships and acting as a trusted advisor throughout the project lifecycle.
• Developing and maintaining integrated design programmes and delivery schedules.
• Coordinating design deliverables, approvals and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Ensuring compliance with quality assurance procedures, governance standards and contractual obligations.
• Managing design reviews, project reporting and risk identification activities.
• Chairing project, programme and design team meetings.
• Overseeing consultant and sub-consultant performance, contracts and deliverables.
• Supporting financial performance, project profitability and fee management.
• Monitoring programme progress and driving projects to successful completion.
• Mentoring junior and senior team members while contributing to leadership initiatives.
• Supporting business development activities and helping secure future opportunities.
• Managing statutory approvals and stakeholder consultation processes.
• Driving continual improvement in design management tools, systems and procedures.

What You'll Need

To be considered for this Principal Design Manager position, you should ideally have:

• Degree qualification in an engineering or related technical discipline.
• Chartered status (CEng, ChPP or equivalent).
• Professional membership with a recognised institution such as CIBSE, IET or IMechE.
• 10+ years' experience within engineering, project delivery or design management environments.
• Strong understanding of the full design and construction lifecycle.
• Proven experience delivering complex, high-value engineering or construction projects.
• Excellent programme management and scheduling skills using Microsoft Project or similar tools.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary design teams.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness.
• Working knowledge of contract management and contractual processes.
• Experience managing clients, stakeholders and external consultants.
• Excellent leadership, communication and presentation skills.
• The ability to work autonomously while leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Flexibility to travel when required for UK and international projects.

What's In It For You?

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Structured career progression within a growing international consultancy.
• Exposure to landmark mission critical and infrastructure projects.
• Professional development and training sponsorship support.
• Company pension scheme.
• Private healthcare provision.
• Performance-related bonus opportunities.
• Holiday purchase scheme.
• Annual leave entitlement increasing with service.
• Charity volunteering leave.
• Employee well-being initiatives and wellness programmes.
• Collaborative and supportive team culture with strong mentoring from senior leadership.

Why Apply?

This is an outstanding opportunity for a Principal Design Manager seeking greater responsibility, high-profile projects and a clear pathway into senior leadership. You'll join a business renowned for delivering technically complex projects while maintaining a people-first culture and long-term commitment to employee development.

Apply now for a confidential conversation and to learn more about this opportunity.

About Energi People  
Having spent 20 years earning trust across MEP building services, structural and mission-critical engineering with the very best construction engineering firms in the UK, UAE, USA and beyond, we know the disciplines, the best employers, and crucially, the roles that aren’t advertised. Find out more at https://energipeople.com/