Employer: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Job Title: Design Manager
Location: United Kingdom
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Job Type: Full-time
Closing Date: 26 June 2026

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 us. By our patients. By our 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. Care is provided in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services including 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 are provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, including nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at Newmarket Community Hospital.

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust aims to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients, guided by values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and teamwork.

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. The organisation promotes a diverse and inclusive community where everyone’s voice counts and individuals can #BeKnown for who they are.

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 (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
• 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

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

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 NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

How to Apply

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