Design Manager

Stepnell Ltd; Bristol; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Stepnell Ltd. seeks an experienced Design Manager for our Bristol-based team.

You will lead external design consultants, specialist subcontractors and internal construction teams to deliver buildable, compliant, and commercially viable design information on time and within budget. You will drive pre-construction bid management, coordinate design to meet Building Regulations, BREEAM, and Planning conditions, and lead BIM execution across project lifecycles.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in design management within a main contractor environment.
• Deep understanding of Building Regulations, Planning Conditions, BREEAM and approvals process.
• Experience implementing BIM execution plans and design coordination.
• Strong commercial acumen to identify VE opportunities and manage design risk.
• Excellent communication and leadership to chair workshops and lead cross-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Participate in tender management for D&B and Traditional/CDP projects.
• Review tender documents, identify risks and opportunities, ensure Building Regulations alignment.
• Lead design workshops to generate innovative, viable solutions.
• Coordinate selection and procurement of design consultants and specialists.
• Deliver integrated design solutions balancing buildability, cost and programme.
• Manage Design Programmes and design coordination meetings; track decisions.
• Champion BIM principles across project lifecycles; maintain Execution Plans.
• Maximise value engineering opportunities and track cost implications of design changes with QS.
• Ensure compliance with contract, budgets, and statutory approvals.

Skills

Design management

BIM

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder leadership

Workshop facilitation

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction management or related field

Tools

BIM (Revit)

Construction software

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Design Manager to join our team based in Bristol.

In this role, you will lead and manage external design consultants, specialist subcontractors, and internal construction teams. Reporting to the Regional Design Lead, you will be key to delivering complete, accurate, buildable, and commercially viable design information on time and within budget.

Key Responsibilities

Work Winning & Tenders

• Participate in pre-construction bid management for Design & Build (D&B) and Traditional/CDP projects.
• Review tender documents, identify project risks and opportunities, and ensure alignment with Building Regulations and Employer's Requirements.
• Lead creative workshops (such as Build it in a Day) to generate innovative, practical, and win-winning solutions.
• Capture key pre-commencement items including Planning Conditions, Building Control, BREEAM, Ecology, Energy (LZC/SAP/SBEM), and Highways requirements.

Consultant Management & Procurement

• Coordinate the selection, enquiry, appointment, and fee reviews for novated and Stepnell-selected design consultants and specialists.
• Challenge consultants to deliver optimal, viable, and competitive designs to agreed timescales while maintaining design responsibility.

Construction & Delivery

• Work closely with Contracts Managers, Project Managers, Site Managers, and Quantity Surveyors to deliver integrated design solutions balancing buildability, cost, and programme.
• Establish and drive project Design Programmes, lead design coordination meetings/workshops, and manage decision trackers.
• Maintain and champion BIM principles and Execution Plans across project lifecycles.

Commercial & Quality Assurance

• Maximise value engineering opportunities and track cost implications of design changes with the Quantity Surveyor.
• Ensure full compliance with contract conditions, budgets, statutory regulations, and third-party approvals (e.g., Building Control, BREEAM).

About You

• Experience: Proven track record in Design Management within a main contractor environment, supporting both tender bids and live site delivery.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of Building Regulations, Planning Conditions, BREEAM, Building Control, and statutory approvals process.
• BIM Proficiency: Practical knowledge of implementing and managing BIM execution plans.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong capability to identify value engineering opportunities, review fee scopes, and manage project design risk.
• Communication & Leadership: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to chair workshops, build strong relationships with clients and consultants, and lead multi-disciplinary teams