Design Manager

Manage and coordinate the design process across the clients projects, ensuring the timely delivery of safe, compliant and buildable engineering solutions that support successful project delivery. The Design Manager acts as the primary interface between the Pre-construction team, Operational team, and external designers.

Oversee information flow, approvals, risks, design assurance and compliance with employer’s requirements and legislation. Ensuring that design activities — both internal and external — are planned, monitored and delivered effectively, supporting programme certainty, quality, safety and commercial outcomes.

Manage the design process across live projects and tender opportunities, working closely with project, commercial and operational teams to ensure compliance, maintain programme commitments and support buildability. Appoint consultants, coordinate the design programme, control design changes, oversee Building Safety and Gateway submissions, ensure all design information is approved and ready for construction.

Supporting the work winning team in tendering for design & build projects, contributing to value engineering solutions, and identifying risks and opportunities in the design. Maintaining effective relationships with clients, consultants and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Design Coordination & Management

•              Plan, manage and coordinate the full design process from pre‑construction through to delivery

•              Develop and manage design programmes aligned with construction sequencing.

•              Lead coordination between internal designers, external consultants and project teams.

•              Ensure design deliverables are issued on time, to the correct level of detail and fit for construction.

Technical & Assurance

•              Ensure all design outputs comply with relevant standards, legislation, temporary works procedures and client requirements.

•              Support technical reviews, design checks and buildability reviews.

•              Identify design risks early and ensure they are mitigated (CDM, technical, cost, programme).

•              Manage design changes, derogations and approvals, maintaining accurate records.

•              Monitor and ensure BIM compliance

Information Management

•              Manage the flow of design information, including Requests for Information (RFIs), design queries and Information Required Schedules.

•              Work with Document Control to maintain accurate, auditable records.

•              Support preparation of O&M information and as‑built documentation.

Stakeholder Management

•              Liaise with project leaders, commercial teams, planners, procurement and the supply chain.

•              Coordinate with statutory authorities as required for approvals and compliance.

•              Build and maintain strong relationships with external designers and specialist subcontractors.

Pre‑Construction & Work Winning

•              Support bid and tender submissions with design input, methodology and programme information.

•              Review employer’s requirements and contractual obligations.

•              Contribute to consultant scoping, procurement and appointments.

•              Contribute to Quality deliverables in tender submissions.

Continuous Improvement & Leadership

•              Promote design best practice, standardisation and digital engineering opportunities.

•              Facilitate lessons learned sessions and embed outcomes into future designs.

•              Provide guidance, coaching and support to Design Engineers where required.

Key Measures

•              Design deliverables issued on programme, right‑first‑time and aligned with construction needs.

•              Clear, compliant and coordinated design information supporting safe and efficient delivery.

•              Effective risk management and reduction of design‑related issues, delays and rework.

•              Positive feedback from project teams on communication, responsiveness and coordination.

•              Full compliance with temporary works procedures, employer’s requirements and statutory obligations.

•              Strong relationships with designers and internal teams, enabling smoother delivery.

•              Accurate design assurance, documentation and information management across the project lifecycle.

Person Specification – Skills, Experience & Attributes

Essential

•              Proven experience managing the design process within a construction environment, with a focus on civils, infrastructure and utilities.

•              Strong understanding of temporary works, construction methods and engineering principles.

•              Skilled in reviewing drawings, specifications and technical proposals.

•              Strong organisation, communication, influencing and negotiation skills.

•              Ability to manage multiple design workstreams simultaneously.

•              Proficient with design management tools and Microsoft Office applications.

•              Ability to challenge design solutions constructively and drive improvement.

Desirable

•              Experience working with BIM/digital engineering workflows.

•              Knowledge of RIBA stages, CDM regulations and design assurance processes.

•              Professional accreditation or working toward (ICE, CIOB, APM, etc.).