Design Manager

At GRAHAM, we are more than a leading construction and facilities management partner ,we are a trusted collaborator committed to creating high-quality learning environments and supporting the evolving needs of our education-sector clients. As part of a major long-term campus transformation programme, we are seeking a Design Manager who will play a key role in delivering coordinated, technically robust, and future-ready design solutions that support both construction delivery and operational excellence.

This role will support a multi-year programme focused on modernising and enhancing a diverse estate, including new-build, refurbishment, and lifecycle investment projects. The Design Manager will lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring all design information is fully integrated, compliant, buildable, and aligned with sustainability, operational performance, and long-term estate strategy. Working closely with construction, FM, commercial, and client teams, the Design Manager will help ensure a seamless transition from design into construction and eventual operation.

Supported by continued growth and a commitment to investing in our people, GRAHAM is looking for an experienced, technically strong design professional who can drive quality, collaboration, and innovation across a complex and high-profile programme. Benefits:
Up to 36 days paid annual leave, Excellent Company Pension, Free Life Assurance, Training and Development, Discounted Private Health Care Scheme, Discounted Gym Membership and BUPA Health Assessments.

Location:

Redditch, West Midlands, with regular travel throughout the UK Hours Per Week:
Monday - Friday, 40 Hours Job Type: Permanent / Full Time The Design Manager will:
Lead and coordinate the full design process from pre-construction through delivery and completion across new-build, refurbishment, upgrade, and lifecycle projects. Manage multidisciplinary designers, consultants, and subcontractor design partners to produce fully coordinated, compliant, and buildable design solutions. Review all design information including drawings, specifications, reports, BIM models, and technical submissions for accuracy, compliance, buildability, and alignment with contract requirements. Develop, manage, and monitor detailed design and procurement programmes, ensuring alignment with construction sequencing, FM integration, statutory milestones, and client deadlines.

Prepare, maintain, and issue Information Release Schedules to support timely procurement, construction activities, and operational readiness. Chair and document design, coordination, and technical meetings, ensuring clear actions, responsibility ownership, and risk management. Challenge consultant and subcontractor design solutions to ensure technical correctness, cost efficiency, and best value. Identify and implement value-engineering opportunities and evaluate alternative materials, systems, and specifications to meet performance and budget goals.

Manage the design change control process, including RFIs, technical queries, change notes, and client/design approvals. Identify and manage design risks, maintaining an up-to-date design risk register and supporting timely mitigation strategies. Ensure all design information complies with Building Regulations, planning conditions, British Standards, CDM requirements, and client technical standards. Support the coordination of planning submissions, building control applications, BREEAM requirements, and third-party approvals.

Ensure design solutions incorporate maintainability, lifecycle considerations, access, safety-in-use, and operational FM requirements. Support Soft Landings, commissioning activities, and handover by ensuring asset data, O&M information, and as-built drawings are accurate and complete. Manage the interface between consultant design, subcontractor design, and operational FM needs to ensure long-term estate performance. Develop clear scopes of work and design responsibilities matrices, supporting consultant and subcontractor appointments where required.

Review subcontractor design deliverables for compliance, coordination, and equivalency with…