Design Manager (Sponsorship Available) At West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Job Summary

The post holder will support the Head of Development and Pre-Construction and Compliance Manager with delegated responsibility for Capital Projects.

The post holder will develop and maintain good relationships and clear lines of communication with Project Delivery PM, Project Stakeholders, Estate colleagues, Clinicians, Directorate Managers, Senior Managers, together with any appointed Consultants and Contractors in connection with any project work.

Main Duties of the Job

Senior Estates and Capital Projects professional with extensive experience delivering complex, high-value construction projects (up to £20m) within highly regulated environments.

Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of UK construction legislation, including the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, Building Safety Act, and Health & Safety legislation, with a strong track record of ensuring full compliance across all project stages.

Specialist expertise in healthcare construction requirements, including application of NHS guidance, Health Building Notes (HBNs), Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs), and infection prevention and control standards.

Experienced in translating clinical and operational needs into compliant design briefs and technical specifications, ensuring safe, functional, and patient-centred environments.

Proven ability to act as Client representative under statutory regulations, managing design teams, contractors, and consultants to deliver compliant, high-quality outcomes.

Strong understanding of risk management, governance frameworks, and regulatory reporting, ensuring projects meet both legal obligations and organisational standards.

A confident leader and communicator, skilled in influencing senior stakeholders, resolving complex compliance challenges, and embedding best practice in construction safety and estate development within healthcare settings.

About West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By patients. By the community.

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. The Trust cares for, treats and supports people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children’s ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at Newmarket Community Hospital.

The Trust strives to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and its values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and teamwork guide how staff work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff from all over the world, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust strives to make the organisation a great place to work. Whatever the role or ambition, the Trust aims to help employees be the best they can be.

The Trust promotes a diverse and inclusive community where everyone’s voice counts and people can #BeKnown for whoever they are.

Join West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. What will you #BeKnown for?

Job Responsibilities

Please see the full job description and person specification attached for more details on the job role.

Person Specification

Education & Qualification

Essential

Registered Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or equivalent demonstrable experience and working towards chartered status (CEng)
Registered intermediate level membership of relevant Professional body (LCIBSE, ACIBSE etc) or demonstrable equivalent experience, working towards full member status of relevant professional body (MCIBSE, MIHEEM, MIET etc)
Educated to or experience equivalent to Degree level in Building Services Engineering or comparable demonstrable experience
Evidence of Continuous Professional Development

Desirable

Chartered in relevant organisation (CEng)
Full member status of relevant professional body (MCIBSE, MIHEEM, MIET etc)
HM Treasury Better Business Cases Foundation or similar Project/Programme Management Qualification

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

Successful track record of working in Property Investment and Improvement role within an environment of comparable scale and complexity
Extensive specialist knowledge in managing clients, contractors and consultants
Experience of leading a team of professionals
Experience of delivering value for money / efficiency related changes
Successful track record of working in high performing teams, delivering challenging targets and achieving results
The ability to demonstrate knowledge across the Estates and Facilities Portfolio

Desirable

Be conversant with Government Soft Landings (GSL)
Experience/knowledge of working in a health service environment
Be conversant with HTMs, HBNs, Building Regulations and other relevant industry legislation and guidance documents

Additional Information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

How to Apply

If this opportunity interests you, head to the company’s official website for full details — click here to submit your application.