Design Manager - Structural

Criterion Capital is seeking a Design Manager (Structural) to control the structural design development process and consultant teams for our commercial to hotel conversion projects.

The Design Manager will be responsible for managing the structural design process and associated consultant teams, ensuring that engineering solutions meet client and Employer’s Requirements (ERs), project cost and timescale objectives, and all relevant regulatory and statutory requirements.

The ideal candidate will have commercial conversion experience, with strong exposure to structural delivery on hotel projects, including refurbishment, strengthening, façade/interface coordination, and integration with services.

Job Overview

• Manage and oversee the structural design process across consultants and contractors for hotel conversion projects, ensuring all structural solutions meet the project’s technical, safety, and performance requirements. Monitor consultant deliverables and programmes at each stage.
• Review and coordinate structural input with architectural, MEP, and specialist packages to ensure integrated and buildable solutions.
• Identify and recommend early engagement of specialist structural packages (e.g., temporary works, façade retention, strengthening works) and coordinate external specialist contractors and suppliers.
• Collaborate closely with project management and operations teams to ensure structural designs align with overall project scope, budget, and programme, with effective information flow across all disciplines.
• Act as the primary point of contact for all structural design-related matters , liaising with clients, consultants, project managers, and construction teams.
• Lead and facilitate design review meetings, focusing on structural integrity, buildability, and risk mitigation.
• Identify and proactively address structural design risks, including existing building constraints, load paths, sequencing, and constructability challenges.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, including Building Regulations, Eurocodes, and safety standards, particularly in refurbishment and change-of-use scenarios.
• Promote sustainable and efficient structural design solutions, including material optimisation, reuse of existing structures, and low-carbon approaches.
• Ensure all structural design documentation is accurate, coordinated, and issued in line with project requirements.
• Support the construction phase by managing structural design coordination on behalf of the Principal Contractor, including RFIs, temporary works, and site queries.
• Contribute to QA/QC processes to ensure the structural design is correctly implemented and controlled on site.

About You

• Minimum of 8 years’ industry experience in structural engineering consultancy and/or Design Manager roles within a main contractor or developer environment.
• Experience as a Design Manager (Structural) or Structural Engineer involved in complex refurbishment or hotel/residential conversion projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (or related field).
• Strong understanding of structural principles, load assessment, existing building appraisal, and retrofit design.
• Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and coordinate across multiple stakeholders.
• Proven experience delivering projects within budget and to high quality standards.
• Solid understanding of construction methods, sequencing, temporary works, and how structural decisions impact cost, programme, and compliance.
• Proficiency in relevant software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, Tekla, structural analysis tools) and familiarity with project management platforms (e.g., Procore).