Design Manager

Willmott Dixon Group; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Willmott Dixon in Cardiff is recruiting a Design Manager to lead the design on Wales and West projects from concept through construction documentation, ensuring buildability, quality and compliance with codes and planning requirements.

You will collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors and clients to establish design criteria, manage external design consultants, and ensure designs meet project objectives and timelines.

Qualifications

• The candidate will have experience leading design on major construction projects and will be able to coordinate multi-disciplinary design teams.
• Strong understanding of construction drawing reading, specifications and building regulations.
• Experience with design management on projects with a main contractor and knowledge of MMC is preferred.
• Hold a valid driving licence and a CSCS card.

Responsibilities

• Managing the design phase from concept through construction documentation, ensuring compliance with objectives and regulations.
• Collaborating with architects, engineers, contractors and customers to establish design criteria and deliverables.
• Overseeing external design consultants to maintain design integrity and quality.
• Facilitating design reviews, coordinating with supply chain partners and ensuring alignment with budgets and timelines.

Skills

Reading drawings

Design coordination

CAD

Microsoft Office

Driving licence

CSCS card

Tools

CAD software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Willmott Dixon are currently recruiting for a Design Manager to work on exciting projects within our Wales and West region. We are currently delivering projects across multiple sectors in South Wales and we are looking for someone to work out of our Cardiff office on a hybrid basis.

As a Design Manager you will be responsible for the development and control of design on one or more projects. You will identify where we can add extra value for our customers whilst ensuring buildability and quality that meet statutory requirements.

The successful candidate will collaborate with project stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and customers, to establish project requirements, objectives, and design criteria. You will also share your knowledge with other members of the design team as well as operational and commercial teams to ensure the overall success of the project.

Duties / responsibilities will include

• Managing the design phase of construction projects from concept development to construction documentation, ensuring compliance with project objectives, codes, regulations, and standards, for example, fire, planning and building control, among others.
• Contributing to the selection and appointment of design partners, ensuring design responsibilities are correctly apportioned between them and the supply chain partners delivering the Contractor's Design Portion.
• Participating in the selection and procurement of design solutions including modern methods of construction (MMC), materials, finishes, sustainable technology, ensuring they align with project specifications, budgets, and timelines with the wider project team.
• Arranging and preparing for design reviews to assess progress, to identify potential risks or deviations, and implement corrective measures as necessary.
• Collaborating with architects, engineers, and other design professionals to develop comprehensive design plans, drawings, and specifications and work with the design manager to ensure that they accurately represent project requirements.
• Coordinating and managing external design consultants, reviewing and providing feedback on their work to ensure design integrity, consistency and quality.

The ideal candidate

• Will have managed design on projects between 10M- 100M across multiple sectors with experience working within a main contractor.
• Have an understanding of CAD, Microsoft Office, and various other construction technology
• Be able to read and interpret drawings and technical specifications
• Experience with managing specialist designers/subcontractors and supply chain partners
• Hold a valid driving license and a CSCS card

Additional Information

In return, we offer reward our people generously with a competitive package that gives you flexible benefits to fit your lifestyle and priorities. This includes but is not limited to, an enhanced pension scheme, full private medical, life assurance, incentive bonus and a car scheme which will make us a market leader in sustainable company travel. Applicable roles will benefit from a motoring expenditure allowance (MEA) and everyone can access a new generation of low carbon and electric cars via the Willmott Dixon run car leasing scheme.

At Willmott Dixon we provide an inclusive and flexible working environment for people to thrive in and we are happy to support agile working wherever possible.

We are a proud member of the Disability Confident Scheme.

About Us

With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon's purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability have enabled us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people thrive.

Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe's 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025. Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.