Construction Design Manager
Date: 25 Sept 2026
Location: London, GB, N2 8AW
Company: McDonald's Corporation
About Us
McDonalds has run its business in the UK since 1974 and currently operates over 1500 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, serving almost four million customers each day. McDonalds is one of the UKs largest private sector employers, employing over 170,000 people.
Department Overview
Construction is part of the wider Development Department covering all aspects of New Build, Refurbishment and Estates Management of all UK&I property.
Duties
• Working with external Architects, develop and continuously improve new DT thru designs according to business needs.
• Collaborate with the acquisition and project management teams to find the most efficient design solution to bespoke new build projects.
• Working alongside Restaurant Services, manage the Design Working Group process to review and approve all bespoke new build and reimage projects.
• Communicate all new guidance to the Project Management teams including monthly presentations.
• Interpret Global Design Studio standards ready to implement in UK&I.
• Work hand in hand with the UK&I Procurement Manager to ensure the availability of all furniture elements
• Visit existing restaurants, converted restaurants and new restaurants to critique work and ensure compliance.
• Ongoing management of the external Architects. Facilitate design meetings and workshops with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain documentation and ensure accurate version control of all design materials.
• Ensure compliance with Building and Welfare Regulations.
• Work cross functionally with the Restaurant Services, National Operations, Development, Marketing, Technology, Security, Hygiene and Environment
• Carry out competitor visits to understand threats and opportunities.
Qualifications
• 5+ years of experience in a design management role, ideally within the retail construction industry.
• Strong knowledge of construction processes, design coordination, and project lifecycle management.
• Demonstrable strong space planning skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organisational ability.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Familiarity with the Building and Welfare Regulations.
• Ability to influence and build strong relationships across the business including senior management.
• Diploma or equivalent qualification in construction related design.
• Membership of a relevant professional institute is desirable.
Company Vision and Culture
Our Global vision is to build a better McDonalds and in the UK and Ireland we are working hard to be the UK & Irelands best-loved restaurant company.
McDonalds is defined by its culture. Our culture shapes and informs everything we think and everything we do. Our culture influences the way we interact with each other, and how we interact with customers, franchisees and suppliers. Our culture motivates and inspires us to attract and retain great talent, creating positive, energising, exceptional working environment for us all.
Our values drive our culture and shape our beliefs, our priorities and our actions. They influence the decisions we make, how we treat one another and how we show up as a brand to the world.
Serve: We put our customers and our people first
Inclusion: We open our doors to everyone
Integrity: We do the right thing
Community: We are good neighbours
Family: We get better together
At McDonalds we are People from all Walks of Life...
People are at the heart of everything we do, and they make the McDonalds experience. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture that means people can be their best authentic self in our restaurants and offices, which helps us to better serve our customers. We have a strong heritage of diversity and representation within our communities, which we are proud of. The diversity of our people, customers, Franchisees and suppliers gives us strength.
We do not tolerate inequality, injustice or discrimination of any kind. These are hugely important issues and a brand with our reach and relevance means we have a very meaningful role to play.
We also recognise our responsibility as a large employer to continue being active in our communities, helping to develop skills and drive aspirations that will help people to be more aware of the world of work and more successful within it, whether with McDonalds or elsewhere.