Design Manager in Luton, Bedfordshire

Design Manager

£250–£400 per day | Luton, Bedfordshire | 3-month fixed-term contract

Design Manager Contract

£250–£400 per day, depending on experience

Initial three-month fixed-term contract

Full-time role, Monday to Friday

Based between the Luton head office, project sites and client locations

Immediate requirement supporting live Design & Build projects

Varied projects across commercial, education, industrial, heritage, blue light and leisure sectors

The Role

An established regional main contractor is looking for an experienced Design Manager to join its team on an initial three-month fixed-term contract. This is an immediate opportunity to take ownership of the design process across live Design & Build projects and contractor-designed packages.

Reporting to the Main Contracts Director, you will coordinate design information from tender through to completion, working closely with pre-construction, commercial and site teams. You will manage consultants, track design progress and help keep projects aligned with programme, budget, technical requirements and client expectations.

You will work across the company’s Luton head office, project sites and client locations, supporting a varied portfolio across the commercial, education, industrial, heritage, blue light and leisure sectors.

The contract is full-time, with standard working hours of 8:30am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility will be required to meet project and client requirements.

This contract would suit a Design Manager, Assistant Design Manager or Design Coordinator who can quickly take control of several live design workstreams and work confidently with consultants, subcontractors and internal project teams.

Key Responsibilities

Coordinate the design process from tender through to completion and handover.

Support both pre-construction and delivery teams throughout the project lifecycle.

Manage full design, Design & Build schemes and Contractor Designed Packages (CDPs).

Liaise with architects, structural engineers, M&E consultants and specialist subcontractors.

Review designs to identify buildability improvements and value engineering opportunities.

Manage drawing registers, design trackers and information release schedules.

Produce and maintain design programmes using Power Project or similar planning software.

Review technical submissions, RFIs and consultant responses.

Ensure compliance with Building Regulations, CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act where applicable.

Attend design meetings, monitor actions and drive progress against programme requirements.

Support tender submissions and review Employer’s Requirements.

Work closely with site and commercial teams to ensure design intent is successfully delivered.

What We’re Looking For

You will need design coordination or design management experience within a main contractor environment and the confidence to manage several projects at different stages.

Design Management or Design Coordination experience with a main contractor.

Experience delivering projects from £1m to £15m.

Knowledge of traditional and Design & Build procurement routes.

Experience managing Contractor Designed Packages.

Working knowledge of JCT and NEC contracts.

Understanding of CDM 2015 and Building Safety legislation.

Strong technical construction knowledge.

Experience coordinating multiple consultants and stakeholders.

Proficiency with Power Project or similar planning software.

BIM and Revit experience would be advantageous.

Excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

HNC, HND or Degree in Construction Management, Building Surveying, Architecture or a related discipline.

Valid CSCS card supported by a recognised qualification.

SMSTS desirable.

Full UK Driving Licence.

Security and Vetting

Due to the nature of projects undertaken, candidates must be eligible to work in the UK, have been resident in the UK for the previous five years and be willing to undergo DBS, BPSS and client-specific security clearance checks where required.

Interested? If you are an experienced Design Manager, Assistant Design Manager or Design Coordinator available for a three-month contract in Luton, apply now for a confidential discussion.