Design Manager

Foresight Search Ltd; Bristol; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Foresight Search Ltd in Bristol seeks a Design Manager/Coordinator to lead the coordination of design information across live projects for a main contractor. The role emphasizes driving the design process, ensuring buildability and compliance with programme.

You will review drawings, manage consultant and subcontractor contributions, and collaborate with site teams to deliver designed solutions that meet client requirements and regulations.

Qualifications

• Experience in a main contracting environment
• At least 12 months' main contracting design experience
• Good understanding of the construction and design process
• Ability to drive consultants and influence design decisions
• Strong communication and coordination skills

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate design information from pre-construction through to completion
• Work with the Senior Design Manager, project teams and external consultants
• Drive design programmes and ensure timely information release
• Review drawings, specifications and technical information
• Manage consultant and subcontractor design contributions
• Identify design risks, clashes and buildability issues early
• Chair and contribute to design team meetings
• Collaborate with site teams to implement designs
• Monitor design changes and communicate them effectively
• Support procurement through timely release and review of design information
• Ensure designs meet client requirements, regulations and contractual obligations

Skills

Design coordination

Design management

Communication

Buildability

Clash detection

Stakeholder liaison

Job description

Design Manager / Design Coordinator - Main Contractor

Location: Bristol

Salary: £40,000 - £55,000 + package

Sector: Main Contractor | Refurbishment | New Build

The Company

A fantastic opportunity to join a highly regarded, established main contractor with over 50 years of successful trading and a strong reputation across Bristol and the wider South West.

The business delivers a varied portfolio of construction and refurbishment projects, with the majority of work based within Bristol and the surrounding region. They have a strong pipeline of secured work and are looking to strengthen their design team as part of their continued growth.

This would particularly suit an ambitious Design Coordinator ready to take the next step, or a Design Manager in the earlier stages of their career looking for greater responsibility and long-term progression.

The Role

Working alongside and reporting into an experienced Senior Design Manager, you will take responsibility for the coordination and management of design information across live construction projects.

This isn't purely an administrative design coordination position. The successful candidate will be expected to drive the design process, challenge where necessary and work closely with consultants, subcontractors and operational teams to ensure designs are buildable, compliant and delivered in line with programme.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing and coordinating design information from pre-construction through to completion
• Working closely with the Senior Design Manager, project teams and external consultants
• Driving design programmes and ensuring information is issued in line with construction requirements
• Reviewing drawings, specifications and technical information
• Managing consultant and subcontractor design contributions
• Identifying design risks, clashes and buildability issues at an early stage
• Chairing and contributing to design team meetings
• Working closely with site teams to ensure successful implementation of the design
• Monitoring design changes and ensuring these are properly communicatedSupporting procurement through timely release and review of design information
• Ensuring designs meet client requirements, statutory regulations and contractual obligations

The Person

We are looking for someone who has already gained experience within a main contracting environment and is ready to take greater ownership of the design process.

You could currently be working as a Design Coordinator, Assistant Design Manager or Design Manager.

An architectural background would be welcomed, provided you have subsequently gained at least 12 months' experience working directly for a main contractor.

You should have:

• Experience working for a construction main contractor
• At least 12 months' main contracting design experience
• Good understanding of the construction and design process
• The confidence to drive consultants and influence design decisions
• Strong communication and coordination skills
• Refurbishment experience would be particularly beneficial, although new build experience will also be considered
• Ambition to develop into a fully autonomous Design Manager

The Opportunity

This is an excellent step for somebody who wants genuine progression rather than remaining in a purely coordination-focused position.

You'll work alongside an experienced Senior Design Manager, gaining exposure to the full design management process while gradually taking greater responsibility for your own projects.

With a strong regional workload, established Bristol presence and continued growth planned, there is a clear opportunity to develop into a senior-level design management position within the business