Design Manager

Foresight Search Ltd; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Comprehensive package

Job summary

Foresight Search Ltd is representing a leading multi-regional main contractor in Cardiff, recruiting a Design Manager to coordinate design from pre-construction through delivery on refurbishment and remediation projects, including high-rise cladding work. The role emphasizes fire safety, BSR processes and Golden Thread governance.

You will work from the Cardiff office, coordinating design teams, managing risks, and ensuring information aligns with programme requirements and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Previous design management experience within a main contracting environment.
• Experience in refurbishment, cladding, facade or building remediation projects.
• Good understanding of current fire safety and building regulations.
• Knowledge of Building Safety Regulator (BSR) compliance and the Building Safety Act environment.
• Strong understanding of Golden Thread requirements.
• Confident coordinating consultants and specialist subcontractors.
• Strong technical, organisational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage the design process from pre-construction through delivery.
• Manage consultants, specialist subcontractors and other design stakeholders.
• Review drawings, specifications and technical information.
• Ensure design information is produced accurately and in line with programme requirements.
• Manage design risks, changes and technical queries.
• Coordinate design information between the client, consultants and construction teams.
• Support procurement of specialist subcontract packages.
• Ensure design records and information are maintained throughout the project.
• Support compliance with Building Safety Regulator requirements.
• Ensure Golden Thread information is properly managed and maintained.
• Work closely with operational and commercial teams to resolve design issues.

Skills

Design coordination

Stakeholder management

Regulatory knowledge

Building safety

Job description

Design Manager - Main Contractor

Location: Cardiff

Salary: £65,000 - £70,000 + Car Allowance + Package

Sector: Main Contractor | Building Remediation | Cladding | Refurbishment

Design Manager - The Company

An excellent opportunity to join a leading multi-regional main contractor with a rapidly growing presence across Wales and the wider UK.

Around 70% of the company's current workload centres around complex cladding replacement and building remediation projects, particularly on high-rise buildings requiring careful management of current fire and building safety requirements. The remaining workload includes a range of general refurbishment and fit-out projects.

With a strong pipeline, continued growth and an entrepreneurial approach, this is an excellent opportunity to join a business where the Design Manager can play an important role in the successful delivery of technically complex schemes.

Design Manager - The Role

Based from the Cardiff office, you will take responsibility for coordinating and managing the design process across refurbishment and building remediation projects from pre-construction through to completion.

Unlike the Planner position, relevant knowledge of the current regulatory environment surrounding higher-risk buildings is important. You will need a good understanding of fire safety requirements, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) process and Golden Thread requirements.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing and coordinating the design process from pre-construction through delivery
• Managing consultants, specialist subcontractors and other design stakeholders
• Reviewing drawings, specifications and technical information
• Ensuring design information is produced accurately and in line with programme requirements
• Managing design risks, changes and technical queries
• Coordinating design information between the client, consultants and construction teams
• Supporting the procurement of specialist subcontract packages
• Ensuring appropriate design records and information are maintained throughout the project
• Supporting compliance with Building Safety Regulator requirements
• Ensuring Golden Thread information is appropriately managed and maintained
• Working closely with operational and commercial teams to resolve design issues

Design Manager - The Person

• Previous Design Management experience within a main contracting environment
• Experience of refurbishment, cladding, façade or building remediation projects
• Good understanding of current fire safety and building regulations
• Knowledge of BSR compliance and the Building Safety Act regulatory environment
• Strong understanding of Golden Thread requirements
• Confident coordinating consultants and specialist subcontractors
• Strong technical, organisational and communication skills

Design Manager - The Reward

• £65,000 - £70,000 depending on experience
• Car allowance plus comprehensive package
• Major technically challenging refurbishment and remediation projects
• Strong secured pipeline and excellent business growth
• Entrepreneurial environment with genuine responsibility
• Excellent long-term career prospects within a growing contractor