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Permanent

Design Manager

Kingdom Search
Derby
money-bag £60000 - £65000/annum NEG DOE - Freelance considered
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
The Role
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.
Weekly Pattern
  • 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
Package
  • Permanent: £60,000–£65,000 + package (NEG DOE)
  • Freelance: circa £400–£450 per day, Ltd or CIS (NEG DOE), long-term
What the Client Is Looking For
  • 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
How to Apply
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
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to record a short optional video introduction to send with their CV.

Kingdom Search Limited is a specialist construction recruitment consultancy, recruiting freelance and permanent professionals nationwide.

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