Design Manager

Who are Croudace Homes?

Croudace Homes is a family-owned house builder with a proud heritage dating back to 1946. Operating across the Southeast of England from our regional offices in Caterham, Letchworth, and Theale, we're committed to building high-quality homes and careers. Our reputation is built on trust, attention to detail, and a passion for creating communities that stand the test of time.

At Croudace, we believe that a solid foundation starts with the right people. Fostering a culture of open communication, respect & continuous growth, we listen to our people, celebrate contributions at every level, and provide meaningful development opportunities. With a strong focus on well‑being and work‑life balance, we create an environment where our employees feel valued, motivated, and empowered to succeed‑because when our people thrive, so does our business.

We're proud of our low staff turnover and long employee tenures, which reflect the positive experience of working at Croudace.

We are currently looking for a Design Manager to join our team.

The Design Manager at Croudace Homes plays a central role within the Design Department, leading the coordination and management of the design process to successfully secure planning approvals for residential developments.

Working closely with land, technical, and external consultant teams, you will ensure that schemes are creatively designed, commercially viable, policy‑compliant, and aligned with the company's quality standards. This role is instrumental in shaping developments from concept through to consent, managing stakeholder engagement with local authorities and consultants to drive projects forward efficiently and effectively. By balancing design excellence with planning strategy and programme delivery, you will directly contribute to the company's growth pipeline and reputation for delivering high‑quality homes.

• Approximately 8+ years relevant work experience in the industry with 2+ years as a Design Manager or similar role
• Excellent negotiation and persuading skills
• Excellent IT skills (good working knowledge of MS Office and AutoCAD packages)
• Knowledge of current building regulations and NHBC requirements
• Good understanding of the entire planning application process from start to completion
• Analytical mind and methodical approach
• People and team management skills
• Ability to influence and build strong relationships across all levels of the organisation

At Croudace Homes, we believe our people are our greatest asset—and we're committed to rewarding and supporting them. In return for your skills and dedication, you'll receive a competitive package that includes (role dependant):

• 26 days holiday
  , increasing with service, plus an additional day off to celebrate your birthday
• Generous Pension Scheme with up to 10% employer contribution
• Discretionary bonus to recognise your performance and contribution
• Flexible working options
  , offering greater control over your hours and location