Design manager

Role Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Design Manager to join a growing project delivery team working on complex commercial refurbishment and Cut & Carve schemes. Reporting to a Senior Design Manager, the successful candidate will play a key role in coordinating design activities, managing technical delivery, and supporting project execution from pre-construction through to completion.

The position offers the opportunity to work on technically challenging projects involving the refurbishment, repositioning, and transformation of existing commercial assets. The successful candidate will take ownership of allocated design packages, ensuring design information is coordinated, buildable, compliant, and aligned with programme and commercial objectives.

This role would suit an ambitious individual looking to further develop their design management career within a collaborative and fast-paced construction environment, with clear opportunities for progression and increased responsibility.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Design Coordination & Package Management:

• Take ownership of allocated design packages throughout all project stages, from pre-construction to project completion.
• Review and interrogate design information to ensure coordination, buildability, compliance, and technical robustness.
• Manage day-to-day coordination with architects, consultants, specialist designers, and subcontractors.
• Monitor design development against programme requirements and drive the timely resolution of design-related issues.
• Lead package-specific coordination meetings and contribute to wider Design Team Meetings.
• Track design actions and ensure stakeholders are accountable for agreed deliverables.
• Support the management of design approvals and information release processes.

Technical Delivery:

• Coordinate design interfaces associated with structural alterations, demolition, strip-out works, and retained building elements.
• Manage the integration of new architectural, structural, and building services packages within existing structures.
• Identify technical risks, design conflicts, and buildability challenges, implementing mitigation measures where required.
• Ensure technical solutions are practical, compliant, and aligned with project constraints and objectives.
• Support sequencing, logistics, and construction planning activities where design input is required.

Programme & Commercial Management:

• Contribute to the preparation and management of Design Release Schedules and information delivery programmes.
• Ensure design deliverables are issued in line with procurement and construction requirements.
• Work collaboratively with project, commercial, and procurement teams to align design activities with overall project objectives.
• Assist in reviewing design solutions to ensure they meet cost, programme, and quality expectations.
• Support pre-construction activities, tender reviews, and design management processes where required.

Stakeholder Management:

• Act as a key point of coordination between consultants, project teams, subcontractors, and external stakeholders.
• Support client-facing meetings, design reviews, workshops, and presentations.
• Maintain clear communication regarding design progress, programme risks, and project deliverables.
• Foster collaborative working relationships and contribute positively to the wider project team.

Quality, BIM & Compliance:

• Ensure design outputs meet relevant regulatory requirements, technical standards, and project objectives.
• Support design quality assurance processes and maintain accurate records of design development and change.
• Work within coordinated BIM and Common Data Environment (CDE) processes.
• Assist in the production and review of coordinated technical documentation, drawings, and specifications.
• Promote best practice and continuous improvement in design management processes.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Technical & Industry Experience:

• Experience in a Design Manager, Assistant Design Manager, Technical Coordinator, or similar role within the construction industry.
• Proven experience delivering commercial fit-out, refurbishment, CAT A/CAT B, or Cut & Carve projects.
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, design coordination, and technical delivery.
• Experience managing design packages within live project environments.
• Good understanding of procurement processes, project sequencing, and construction delivery.

Software & Digital Tools:

• Proficient in Revit and BIM-enabled project delivery environments.
• Experience working with Common Data Environments (CDEs) and document management platforms.
• Familiarity with coordinated drawing production and multidisciplinary design coordination.
• Knowledge of Navisworks, Autodesk Construction Cloud, BIM 360, or similar platforms would be advantageous.

Core Competencies:

• Strong organisational and coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and prioritise effectively.
• Excellent technical problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of project delivery drivers.
• Proactive, solutions-focused, and capable of working both independently and as part of a team.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Ownership and accountability for deliverables and project outcomes.
• A proactive and organised approach to managing responsibilities.
• The ability to work effectively within a collaborative project environment.
• Confidence in coordinating multiple stakeholders and managing competing priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• A desire to develop professionally and take on increasing levels of responsibility.

Opportunity

This role offers the chance to work on high-profile and technically challenging commercial projects within a supportive and professional environment. The successful candidate will gain exposure to all stages of project delivery and have the opportunity to further develop their design management expertise while progressing their career.