Permanent
Design Manager
Kingdom Search
Derby
Posted: 19 October 2026 (Yesterday)
Closing date: 17 November 2026
Ref: 225737447
Design Manager – Circa £60m+ New-Build Education Scheme – Leading National Tier 1 Main Contractor
Kingdom Search Limited is recruiting a Design Manager for a leading national Tier 1 main contractor. The project is a circa £60m+ new-build education scheme in West Essex (M11 corridor), with a programme of around two years.
Job title: Design Manager – Education – Tier 1 Main Contractor (Perm or Freelance)
- Location: East Midlands (head office) / West Essex (site)
- Salary: £60,000–£65,000 + package (Perm) / £400–£450 per day (Freelance), NEG DOE
- Job type: Permanent (long-term freelance also considered)
- Start: ASAP
You''ll be the standalone Design Manager on the project, reporting directly to the Director. Pre-construction is well advanced and the project moves into delivery in the next few months. You''ll take design management from pre-construction through to completion.
Location & Travel
- Permanent candidates must live within a daily commute of the contractor''s East Midlands head office. You''ll also need to be happy to travel to site and lodge nearby during the week, with expenses paid.
- Freelance candidates can be based more flexibly, as long as they''re happy to travel to the East Midlands head office and the West Essex site as required.
- Monday at head office
- Tuesday to Thursday on site, with overnight stays on Tuesday and Wednesday for lodging candidates
- Friday at head office or working from home
- Permanent: £60,000–£65,000 + package (NEG DOE)
- Freelance: circa £400–£450 per day, Ltd or CIS (NEG DOE), long-term
- Design Manager or Senior Design Manager experience with a main contractor (essential)
- Strong Design Coordinators who are ready to step up will be considered, as long as they''re confident running a large scheme on their own
- Experience managing the consultant team, subcontractor design, design programmes, RFIs and information release, from pre-construction through to delivery
- Openness to learning the contractor''s standardised system-build design approach. Full support is given, which is why regular head office time is part of the role.
- Education or DfE experience is advantageous but not essential. Experience on DfE frameworks would be a bonus.
- A confident, organised communicator who can hold their own with consultants, subcontractors and the delivery team
Apply via CV-Library or email your CV to (url removed). Please include:
- Your home postcode
- Whether you''re looking for permanent or freelance work
- Your salary or day rate expectations
- Your availability or notice period
Kingdom Search Limited is a specialist construction recruitment consultancy, recruiting freelance and permanent professionals nationwide.
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