Design Manager

Design Manager
Client: Tier 2 Main Contractor

• Sector: D&B Industrial / Commercial / Motor Retail / Leisure / Education Location: Office-Based, Warwickshire (with national project travel as required) Engagement: Permanent
• Salary/Package: Up to £70k + £5k car allowance + discretionary annual bonus (typically £5k–£10k)
• Start: ASAP – subject to successful interview

We are working on behalf of a well-established regional Design & Build main contractor to appoint a Design Manager to join their growing team and support the delivery of multiple live projects across the UK.
The business delivers fast-paced, steel frame-led construction projects across a range of sectors including:

• Industrial & logistics
• Motor retail
• Commercial
• Education
• Retail & leisure
• Social care

The Role
This position will take responsibility for managing the design coordination process across 2–3 live projects at any one time. Working under JCT D&B contracts, the Design Manager will act as the key link between client-side consultants and subcontract design teams throughout the project lifecycle.
You will:

• Coordinate consultant and subcontract design packages from inception through to completion
• Ensure design information is delivered in line with programme
• Chair and manage design team meetings
• Monitor progress against design release schedules
• Manage RFIs and resolve design queries
• Liaise closely with Commercial & Project teams
• Support value engineering opportunities
• Ensure design compliance with statutory approvals and accreditations (e.g. Building Regs, planning, BREEAM)
• Maintain strong working relationships with external consultants and subcontractors
• Oversee design-related risks and buildability challenges

The role will also involve:

• Supporting pre-construction activity including tender reviews
• Managing design progress on live sites
• Supporting project completion and handover documentation

Key Environment

• Office-based role in Warwickshire
• National travel for site visits as required
• Typically managing shell & core / steel frame projects
• Working closely with novated consultants

Salary & Package

• Salary negotiable – up to £70k (dependent on experience)
• £5k car allowance
• Annual discretionary bonus typically £5k–£10k

Ideal Background
This opportunity would suit a Design Manager currently working within:

• Industrial / logistics construction
• Commercial build environments
• Steel frame / fast-track projects
• Main contractor delivery roles

Experience working under Design & Build contracts is essential. Typically, we are looking for candidates with 10–15 years of diverse building experience and a solid grounding in construction design, detailing, and stakeholder management.

Please apply with your up-to-date CV, full contact details (including postcode) and availability to arrange a call to: (url removed)

Paid Referral Scheme – up to £500* If you can recommend a suitable candidate who results in a successful permanent placement, we offer a referral fee of up to £500 (*T&Cs apply).

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