Design Manager

The job

You will be responsible for the management of preconstruction and construction phase design deliverables to support successful project delivery.

• Manage design on multiple projects throughout Pre-Construction, Construction, and Handover phases.
• Prepare designers’ appointments along with the design responsibilities matrix and schedule of services for each design consultant.
• Chair Design Coordination meetings with the Design Team.
• Manage the flow of information between all key stakeholders, including consultants, subcontractors, site teams, and clients.
• Manage the use of the Common Data Environment with the assistance of a document controller (Viewpoint 4 Projects).
• Produce the Design Release Schedule in coordination with the project programme and procurement schedule, and monitor the release of design information against the agreed schedule.
• Coordinate the Design Team and specialist designing subcontractors.
• Provide technical advice as necessary to the client/project team, encourage innovative cost‑effective solutions, and review design and specifications for alternatives to provide added value.
• Compile SAP/SBEM information for submission and compliance with Building Regulations.
• Contribute to achieving environmental assessment schemes for buildings, such as BREEAM and Passivhaus.
• Manage the process of ensuring that planning conditions, building control approvals, section agreements, and any other scheme‑specific standards are signed off in a timely manner.
• Obtain service/utilities connection and disconnection quotes for projects.
• Work with consultants such as ecologists and arboriculturists to determine project requirements.
• Ensure design complies with CDM regulations and contribute to delivering projects using Building Information Management (BIM) workflows.
• Attend project interviews.

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• 10–15 years’ experience in the construction or built environment sector, including at least 5 years in a Design Manager (or similar) role within a main contractor or design & build environment.
• Candidates should demonstrate delivery across full project life cycles, from pre‑construction through to handover, ideally on schemes in the £3m–£12m range or managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Experience in sectors such as commercial, education, or healthcare is preferred, alongside a strong track record of managing consultants, coordinating design programmes, and working within live project delivery environments.

The role requires a technically credible and proactive leader who can manage and challenge design teams while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships. Key skills include design coordination, programme management, communication, and technical compliance, supported by knowledge of BIM processes and value engineering. The individual should demonstrate accountability, integrity, and strong emotional intelligence, with the ability to lead by example and drive results.

They should be organised, commercially aware, and solutions‑focused, capable of operating independently while promoting collaboration, safety, quality, and continuous improvement across projects.

• Acts with honesty and integrity.
• Takes responsibility and accountability.
• Is a team player.
• Takes responsibility for safety.
• Has strong morals.
• Builds and manages strong relationships.
• Strong levels of self‑awareness.
• Acts with curiosity.
• Listens to understand.
• Interacts with the team and the business.
• Shows high levels of emotional intelligence.
• Is open and embraces change.
• Is proactive.
• Shows an open mind.
• Drives for results.

The successful candidate will be provided with training and mentoring as required.

This is a full‑time position, with core working hours between 08:30 – 17:00.

As well as a competitive salary, increasing holiday benefits and access to private healthcare, we offer a number of other benefits for our staff.