Design Manager

Walker & Sloan Ltd | Certified B Corp; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Walker & Sloan Ltd | Certified B Corp is seeking a Design Manager to coordinate the design process, ensuring information is delivered on programme and on site to support efficient construction.

The role involves leading design programmes, coordinating architects, engineers and subcontractors, and resolving clashes before delivery. You will act as the link between design and construction, ensuring practical buildability and compliant information for handover.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Design Manager or an ambitious Assistant Design Manager.
• Background working for a main contractor, residential developer or similar construction business.
• Experience delivering residential or housing projects; familiarity with affordable housing, mixed-tenure schemes.
• Understanding construction processes and coordinating architectural, structural and building services information with focus on programme and buildability.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage the design process to ensure information is delivered on programme and buildable on site.
• Work closely with architects, engineers, specialist consultants and subcontractors to integrate design disciplines and identify clashes early.
• Manage design programmes, information release schedules and chair design meetings with operations and commercial teams.
• Review technical submissions, manage design changes and ensure information complies with contractual requirements and Building Regulations.
• Act as the link between design and construction, resolving queries with site teams and ensuring practical handover information.
• Support delivery through to completion and ensure handover information is available.

Job description

Role Overview

As Design Manager, you'll take responsibility for coordinating and managing the design process, ensuring information is delivered accurately, on programme and in a way that supports efficient construction on site.

You'll work closely with architects, engineers, specialist consultants and subcontractors, bringing the different design disciplines together and ensuring potential clashes or technical issues are identified before they impact delivery.

You'll manage design programmes, monitor information release schedules and chair design meetings, while maintaining close communication with the operational and commercial teams throughout the project. You'll also review technical submissions, manage design changes and ensure information remains compliant with contractual requirements, Building Regulations and relevant standards.

Importantly, you'll act as the link between design and construction. You'll spend time with the site team understanding what they need, resolving technical queries and making sure designs are practical, coordinated and buildable rather than simply compliant on paper.

As the scheme progresses, you'll continue supporting delivery through to completion, ensuring design queries are resolved efficiently and that the required information is available for a successful handover.

About You

You are an experienced Design Manager or an ambitious Assistant Design Manager ready to take the next step in your career, with a background working for a main contractor, residential developer or similar construction business.

You'll ideally have experience delivering residential or housing projects and understand the particular design challenges associated with large-scale developments. Experience within affordable housing, mixed-tenure residential or partnership-led schemes would be particularly relevant.

You understand the construction process and can confidently coordinate architectural, structural and building services information while maintaining a strong focus on programme and buildability.

You're comfortable dealing with consultants, subcontractors and internal project teams and aren't afraid to challenge designs or push for information when required. You'll be organised, technically capable and proactive in identifying potential problems before they reach site.

A construction-related degree or equivalent technical qualification would be beneficial, alongside a good working knowledge of Building Regulations, CDM requirements and modern methods of construction.

Company Profile

You'll be joining a well-established national construction business with an excellent reputation for delivering large-scale residential developments across the UK.

The business works closely with housing providers, local authorities and development partners to deliver high-quality new homes and regeneration projects, with a strong emphasis on creating sustainable communities and long-term partnerships.

With a significant pipeline of secured work and an established presence across South Wales, they can offer excellent job security alongside genuine opportunities for career progression.

What's in it for you?

• Salary up to £70,000 + Package
• Genuine career progression opportunities
• Join an established and experienced project team
• Strong pipeline of residential projects across the region