Design Manager - Architectural & Facades - Aviation

Design Manager | Early-Stage Design Leadership Opportunity

Based: Heathrow, West London

Sector: Aviation | Complex Office Development | Security-Sensitive Project

Are you ready to shape a project that sits at the heart of one of the world's busiest airports?

We're looking for a Design Manager to join the team delivering a technically challenging, security-sensitive office development supporting Heathrow's operational staff.

This complex office development is one of the most operationally significant and security-critical schemes in our aviation portfolio.

This role offers the opportunity to influence the project from its earliest design stages, working alongside Heathrow's stakeholders and our expert delivery partners to embed buildability, efficiency, and innovation from the outset.

What You'll Do

• Lead the coordination and delivery of the design process from concept through detailed design.
• Work collaboratively with client, consultants, and internal teams to ensure technical excellence and compliance with strict airport security and operational requirements.
• Drive design quality, safety, and sustainability throughout the design lifecycle.
• Shape project outcomes through early design decision-making, ensuring seamless integration with Heathrow's operational environment.

Who You Are

• A proactive and detail-driven Design Manager with experience in complex infrastructure or aviation projects, or similarly secure operational environments.
• Skilled in coordinating multidisciplinary design teams and managing design risk.
• Comfortable working in highly regulated settings where safety, logistics, and stakeholder management are critical.
• Collaborative, solutions-focused, and passionate about driving innovation and value through design.

Why Join Us?

At Laing O'Rourke, we push the boundaries of construction. Innovation, technical excellence, and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do. We create buildings and infrastructure that make a lasting positive impact on communities and the environment.

We also take care of our people! Our competitive package includes:

• Base salary + car/travel allowance
• Access to PMI
• Enhanced pension and parental leave schemes
• Life, dental, and critical illness insurance
• Income protection
• 33 days' holiday (including bank holidays!)
• Professional development opportunities

Are you ready to join a team where your skills will shape world-class projects?

CVs only tell part of the story – let's have a chat! I'm Gabbie Bristow, Resourcing Advisor, and I would love to hear from you: gbristow@laingorourke.com.

We're committed to inclusive recruitment. If you need the application in an alternative format or have questions about our process, contact the resourcing team: resourcingteam@laingorourke.com.

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