Assistant Design Manager - Sutton

Knightwood Associates; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading residential contractor is seeking an Assistant Design Manager for a significant project in Sutton. The role involves managing design processes during RIBA Stage 4 through to handover, with a focus on high-quality residential developments. Candidates should have a background in architecture, experience with technical detailing, and hold a current CSCS card. The package includes a car allowance, pension, and healthcare, suitable for those looking to transition into contracting.

Benefits

Car allowance

Pension

Healthcare

Qualifications

• Experience in managing RIBA Stage 4 design through to handover.
• Familiarity with design management processes.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a design team.

Responsibilities

• Support the project design manager with design processes.
• Ensure quality and compliance in design documents.
• Assist in the collation of handover documentation.

Skills

Design management

Technical detailing

Collating handover documentation

Architecture background

Education

Current CSCS card

Membership in a design association (ARB, CIAT, IStructE)

Job description

Assistant Design Manager – Sutton

A leading residential contractor is actively seeking an Assistant Design Manager for a development partnership project. Ideally you should have some degree of experience of design management, from managing RIBA Stage 4 design through to handover, including collating handover documentation.

Candidates from a consultant private practice background with Architecture experience are also considered preferred, with knowledge of technical detailing necessary.

Reporting directly to the project Design Manager, you should hold a current CSCS card relevant to your profession, and preferably be a member of a design association such as ARB, CIAT, or IStructE.

Site address: Sutton. Project value is circa £80 million.

The development consists of 276 residential apartments across six blocks, ranging from 4- to 16 stories, with resident amenity spaces, landscaping, public realm and utilities connection works.

This is a high‑risk building and will be subject to a Gateway 2 application to the BSR.

The site will deliver high‑quality homes for our client and their development partner, who will take ownership of a proportion of the scheme on completion.

The demolition of the existing properties has commenced, with site start due in Autumn 2026.

Salary: DOE. Package includes a car allowance, pension, and healthcare. (Full benefits listed below.)

• Car allowance
• Pension
• Healthcare

If you would like to make a switch from practice to contractor, working on high‑value projects that hold longevity and offer future career development, this Assistant Design Manager role could be your 2026 career move—contact us today for more information.