Design Manager

ABOUT THORNTON:
Thornton is a specialist contractor and fabricator delivering roofing, cladding, glazing, and metalwork systems across the UK and Ireland. We work across high-rise, commercial, industrial and public sector projects, providing technical design, fabrication and site delivery services. SUMMARY OF ROLE:
As the operational lead for the design department, the Design Manager directs the production, coordination, and delivery of all design information. The primary purpose of this role is to ensure that all team outputs meet the project programme, are aligned with commercially secured scope of works, while all design activities strictly adhere to the companys Technical Governance Framework. PURPOSE OF ROLE:
Design programmes are live, realistic and aligned with project requirements. Design deliverables are issued on time and through the correct channels. Design development remains within the agreed scope of works. Technical risks, approval delays and coordination issues are identified early. The design team has clear priorities, standards and accountability.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

DESIGN TEAM MANAGEMENT Manage the day-to-day activities of a multi-tiered design team comprising senior, intermediate, junior designers, draftsmen, document controllers & external consultants. Allocate resources across projects in line with agreed design programmes and business priorities. Provide consistent mentorship and technical guidance while holding individuals accountable for programme, compliance and quality standards. Build a high-performing, accountable design culture based on clarity of expectation, mutual respect and professional standards.

Foster strong cross-functional relationships with commercial, preconstruction, manufacturing and site teams to ensure design is integrated rather than siloed. TECHNICAL GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE CONTROL Implement and enforce the companys Technical Governance Framework throughout the design development, procurement, & delivery phases ensuring all outputs align strictly with the approved compliance route & evidencing strategy set out by the preconstruction team. Escalate any proposed deviations from the frozen design position, specification, or performance criteria via the companys standard operating procedures.

DELIVERABLES & INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Own and manage the Design Programme for all live projects, ensuring alignment with procurement, fabrication and site installation sequences. Apply BIM principles and ISO 19650 information management standards, including structured data environments, naming conventions and coordinated model-based design workflows. Produce and manage TIDPs, IRSs & utilise the companys internal suite of design management tools. Manage overall design coordination to meet project milestones, maintaining controlled design status & version integrity within the companys common data environment.

Identify risks arising from delayed approvals, incomplete information or coordination conflicts and escalate appropriately. COMMERCIAL & CONTRACTUAL ALIGNMENT Ensure all design development remains strictly within the commercially secured scope of works and contractual obligations, identifying potential scope creep, specification drift or performance uplift at an early stage and escalating through formal change control procedures before implementation. Work collaboratively with the Commercial and Contracts teams to ensure design-led changes are properly documented, notified and commercially protected.

Prepare and coordinate RFIs, technical submissions and formal design-related correspondence in accordance with contractual requirements. Ensure all issued design information is compliant, coordinated and fabrication-ready prior to release to procurement, manufacturing or supply chain. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the design team, encouraging learning, professional development, & the adoption of best practices. Maintain personal competence, ensuring skills, knowledge & regulatory awareness remain current and aligned with statutory requirements.

Carry out any other duties as deemed required by senior…