Permanent - 40 hours per week

We are Chester Zoo, and for over 80 years we’ve been a leading conservation and education charity, and an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction.

We’re also a team of passionate, talented, enthusiastic and expert people, doing everything we can to keep the zoo going, from feeding the animals to discovering new conservation ideas, and giving our 1.9 million visitors an inspirational day out.

We work hard because we love animals, we care about nature, we love Chester Zoo and we want to be the best zoo in the world!

If you think you can help us to achieve that, then we’d love to hear from you.

We currently have a vacancy for a Design Team Manager to lead and manage our Design Teams to deliver all design and technical functions associated with Chester Zoo’s Strategic Development Plan.

• To lead and manage multi-disciplined design teams, containing both internal and external resources, to deliver the Strategic Development Plan from concept to completion within agreed budgets and timescales.
• To produce an overall design programme, including resource requirements, and provide regular progress reports to stakeholders, identifying key risks and issues.
• To manage the design development and production of detailed design information, identifying design solutions, risks and opportunities, ensuring world class visitor experience, excellent animal welfare and value for money are delivered.
• To develop relationships with stakeholders to gain a full understanding of project objectives, deliverables and outputs and manage their expectations of the project through regular communication.
• To lead the production of initial design briefs and procurement of external design consultants.
• To lead the development and implementation of new or improved methods and techniques by adapting and refining work practices in own area and providing technical guidance and training to project teams.
• To manage and produce electronic design information (including CAD drawings and specifications) within the full range prescribed by RIBA Plan of Works Stages 0-7.
• To manage planning applications through to successful conclusion, including negotiation of planning conditions and obligations.
• To support the Director and Project managers in their roles during the feasibility pre-construction phases of projects and deputise / take on the role of project Manager where required.
• To undertake duties relevant to CDM2015, where Chester Zoo is named as the Principal Designer. Plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety, to eliminate, reduce and control health and safety risks.
• To lead on the development of technical standards, procedures and protocols for the Zoo AutoCAD.
• To ensure all contracts/appointments are procured in accordance with the Zoo’s procedures and relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

The successful candidate will have:

• Formal qualification (HNC/D, degree/masters or similar) or significant experience in architecture/building/construction/engineering services.
• Member of, or working towards membership of, a recognised professional body e.g. ABE, RICS, CIOB, ARB, RIBA.
• Substantial experience in a design environment in architecture, building, construction or engineering services.
• Recognised training in AutoCAD e.g. City and Guilds, National Certificate or higher in AutoCAD.
• Experience in 3D drafting software e.g. Sketchup or Revit.
• Relevant operational experience in the production of complex AutoCAD drawings and experience in maintaining AutoCAD databases.
• Experience in use of Microsoft packages (Word, Excel).
• Ability to work accurately and with attention to detail.
• Experience of other drawing and engineering software systems and experience of delivering training in AutoCAD would be desirable.