Design Manager

MRR Infrastructure Limited; Ashington; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK construction firm is seeking an experienced Freelance Design Manager for a significant education project in Ashington. This role offers a day-to-day coordination position where you'll manage design outputs and ensure effective communication among multi-disciplinary teams. The ideal candidate will have solid experience in design management within educational settings, available for an immediate start with hybrid working options post settling-in period.

Benefits

£300 per day outside IR35

12-month contract

Opportunity to work on significant regional development

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Design Manager on live construction projects.
• Track record within education, schools or multi‑building projects.
• Strong coordination skills across architectural, structural, civil and MEP disciplines.
• Confident in managing design subcontractors and consultant outputs.
• Able to work on site in the North East, with hybrid flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day technical and design coordination support.
• Manage consultants and design subcontractors ensuring timely release of information.
• Lead design meetings and resolve live site queries.
• Support site team with RFIs, interface issues and buildability challenges.

Skills

Design management

Coordination across disciplines

Managing design subcontractors

Handling technical issues

Job description

Freelance Design Manager - Education Project - North East

Rate: £300 per day (Outside IR35) • Contract: 12 months • Location: Ashington, North of Newcastle • Start: Immediate

A leading UK main contractor with a strong presence in education, commercial and public‑sector construction is seeking an experienced Freelance Design Manager to support a live further education redevelopment project. The organisation is known for its financial stability, collaborative culture and long‑standing reputation for delivering high‑quality, multi‑building campuses across the UK.

This role offers the opportunity to join a high‑profile vocational college scheme comprising three new‑build blocks already well underway on site. The successful candidate will play a key role in managing consultant outputs, resolving site queries and driving design progression through the delivery phase.

The Role

• Freelance Design Manager providing day‑to‑day technical and design coordination support
• Working on a multi‑building college redevelopment including workshop facilities, a teaching block and a central commons hub
• Managing consultants and design subcontractors, ensuring timely release of information
• Leading design meetings, progressing actions and resolving live site queries
• Supporting the site team with RFIs, interface issues and buildability challenges
• Managing the design release schedule to maintain programme
• Hybrid working available after initial settling‑in period

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Design Manager on live construction projects
• Track record within education, schools or multi‑building projects is advantageous
• Strong coordination skills across architectural, structural, civil and MEP disciplines
• Confident in managing design subcontractors and consultant outputs
• Skilled in handling site‑driven design queries and technical issues
• Able to manage the design programme and drive deadlines
• Able to work on site in the North East, with hybrid flexibility longer‑term
• Available for an immediate or short‑notice start

Offer

• £300 per day outside IR35
• 12‑month contract through to project completion
• Opportunity to work on a significant regional development with a respected national contractor
• Hybrid working (site, office and home) once established

If you are an experienced Design Manager looking for a long‑term freelance opportunity in the North East, please get in touch to discuss further or submit your CV for immediate consideration.