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Design Manager

  • Location: Oxford, OX25 2JS
  • Salary: Competitive
  • Job Type:Permanent

Posted 9 days ago

  • Sector: Life Sciences
  • Contact: Duncan Lowe
  • Contact Email: dlowe@nrl.co.uk
  • Contact Phone: 01483 302 133
  • Start Date: 18 June 2025
  • Expiry Date: 19 July 2025
  • Job Ref: V-263855

As a Design Manager, you will lead the delivery of effective design across multiple projects or a single large-scale project. This role focuses on managing both the pre-construction and construction design processes and involves close collaboration with the client, vendors, design consultants, in-house bid teams, operations staff, and supporting digital/information functions. The position plays a key role in the development of facilities, equipment, and processes within the Life Sciences & Technology sector, ensuring full compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards. This is a client-facing role requiring broad stakeholder engagement.

Travel: Regional travel between co-located sites, client offices, and project offices is required.


Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage the full design process from pre-construction through to delivery.

  • Collaborate closely with scientists, engineers, contractors, and regulatory bodies.

  • Guide design development within Life Sciences & Technology projects, ensuring all technical and regulatory requirements are met.

  • Implement and manage procedures for the production, control, and distribution of design information across all project phases.

  • Champion design interrogation and innovation within a collaborative team framework.

  • Ensure design outputs are reviewed for buildability, safety, maintainability, compliance, and technical accuracy.

  • Promote the adoption of design best practices, including Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) and optioneering.

  • Oversee consultancies, manage change control processes, and ensure compliance with client and legislative requirements.

  • Provide mentoring and leadership to junior design team members.

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Design & Technical Expertise

  • Strong understanding of contractual procurement routes (D&B, EPCM, EPC), including JCT and NEC contracts.

  • In-depth knowledge of life science-specific technologies, processes, instrumentation, and workflows.

  • Proficient in design stage planning frameworks such as RIBA, FEL, and AEC.

  • Experienced in managing design under architectural CSA or engineering MEP bias (with a good understanding of the counterpart).

  • Able to navigate and influence branding, risk, and


About NRL
The NRL Group connect global companies with the right people to bring engineering projects to life. Supporting contracting companies with energy transition plans and working with our clients to create a cleaner, greener future.

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