Design Manager

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading contractor in the UK is seeking an experienced Design Manager for their Cambridge projects. The role involves managing design resources, leading the design process through RIBA stages, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Ideal candidates will have experience in sustainable design, construction knowledge, and a relevant qualification at BA/BSc level.

Benefits

Pension Scheme - Matched contributions up to 6%

Generous Holiday Allowance - 26 days plus bank holidays

Private Healthcare

Life Assurance

Wellbeing Support

Company Car or Car Allowance

Exclusive Discounts

Long Service Awards

Sharesave Plan & Incentive Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience leading multidisciplinary consultant teams.
• History in pre-construction activities and hands-on project management.
• Construction knowledge from a main contracting position preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage design aspects of projects and tenders ranging from £10m to £50m.
• Lead design process through all RIBA stages.
• Coordinate work of teams, consultants, and contractors to meet project milestones.

Skills

Understanding of RIBA work stages

Design management

Sustainable design principles

3D design and BIM coordination

Low-carbon design techniques

Education

BA / BSc level qualification

Job description

Your new company
One of the UK's leading contractors operating across a number of sectors including Infrastructure and Build

Your new role
Experienced Design Manager required to join their team in Cambridge working between the office and their projects, where you will be required to manage the design aspects of projects and tenders in progress. Projects typically range from £10m to £50m across Education, Offices & Labs as well as residential.

Key duties:

• Establish and maintain effective design resources and team structures throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead the design process through all RIBA stages, ensuring safety, compliance, and innovation are embedded at every step.
• Challenge briefs constructively and drive continuous improvement and value engineering across all design activities.
• Develop and implement design strategies, ensuring alignment with project scope and client expectations.
• Coordinate the work of internal teams, external consultants, contractors, and statutory bodies to meet critical programme milestones.
• Ensure all design outputs comply with current legislation, industry standards, and best practices.
• Oversee adherence to internal design management procedures and contribute to the evolution of departmental processes.

What you'll need to succeed

• Good understanding of RIBA work stages, two-stage design and build procurement and design management in pre-construction as well as on site design management.
• Ideally have construction knowledge from a previous main contracting position.
• Qualifications to a BA / BSc level and/or membership of a relevant professional institute
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary consultant teams, with a strong understanding of sustainable design principles and hands-on experience with frameworks.
• Your background should include significant involvement in pre-construction activities, 3D design and BIM coordination, and a solid grasp of low-carbon design techniques and their practical implementation.

What you'll get in return

• Pension Scheme - Matched contributions up to 6%
• Generous Holiday Allowance - 26 days plus bank holidays, rising to 30 days with long service, plus the option to buy additional days
• Private Healthcare
• Life Assurance
• Wellbeing Support
• Company Car or Car Allowance
• Exclusive Discounts
• Long Service Awards
• Sharesave Plan & Incentive Scheme

What you need to do now


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