Design Manager

Fawkes & Reece London; Chichester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fawkes & Reece London is seeking an ambitious Design Manager to lead the design process for a £20m defence scheme near Portsmouth. You will head detailed design development during tail-end preconstruction and then oversee on-site delivery for approximately 18 months.

Based in the Southampton office with potential regional responsibilities, you will manage design teams, coordinate with clients and end users, and drive value engineering while ensuring buildability, compliance, and timely

Qualifications

• Experience in design management across preconstruction and construction phases.
• Understanding of defence project delivery and building regulations.
• Ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary design teams and manage consultants.

Responsibilities

• Lead design development for projects and packages, ensuring design intent and budget alignment.
• Chair design team meetings and liaise with clients and end users regularly.
• Coordinate with specialist sub-contractors design teams and ensure timely information for procurement.
• Oversee planning permission processes and discharge conditions with local authorities.
• Identify opportunities for value engineering and drive issue resolution.

Skills

Design management

Team leadership

Preconstruction coordination

Stakeholder liaison

Value engineering

Problem solving

Planning & organisation

Education

Engineering or Architectural background

Job description

About this Role

Ambitious/experienced Design Manager required by the Southampton office of this busy Tier 1 Main Contractor to take the lead and manage the design process for a £20m new build and refurbishment defence scheme near Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Initially based in the Southampton office, as Design Manager you will be involved in the tail end preconstruction phase for the scheme which is due to commence on site early Q1 next year.

You will be responsible for the detailed design development and some value engineering through to financial close; Thereafter you will be based on site with the team throughout the delivery phase of 18 months.

This is a part new build and part refurbishment scheme on the DIO framework - comprising the re‑purposing of several existing buildings plus demolition and new build of others on an existing MOD site, with the work carried out in several phases.

There is a further pipeline of works in the region to follow on for the next 3-4 years on a larger defence project which is currently also in preconstruction.

Duties will include

• Management of the design development for projects, packages and sections of works;
• Management of consultant design team;
• Chairing regular design team meetings;
• Regular liaison with clients and end users;
• Engagement with and managing specialist sub‑contractor design teams;
• Agreement of information required schedule; Ensuring key dates achieved;
• Dealing with local authorities to achieve planning permission and discharge conditions;
• Review of construction design information for buildability, compliance with contractors proposals, employers requirements, budget, current building legislation, etc;
• Identifying opportunities for value engineering where appropriate;
• Proactive issue resolution;
• Overall managing the smooth and timely delivery of detailed design information for procurement and construction throughout the preconstruction and build process.

About the Company

The company is the busy Southern Regional office of a national Tier 1 main contractor, with experience and a proven track record in the delivery of new build and refurbishment schemes in education, defence, healthcare, local authority, higher education faculty buildings, all predominantly in the Hampshire and Dorset areas.

Turnover is circa £150m for the office which is located in Southampton with easy access from the M27 / M3.

Requirements including certificates and qualifications

Either from an Engineering/Construction delivery or Architectural background, you will possess excellent technical and commercial knowledge, a keen understanding of construction methodology, materials and systems, procurement lead in times, etc.

Ideally you will have some experience of refurbishment and new build works in a live environment and have spent time working on projects during their preconstruction phase as well as through construction.

Experience of working on a defence project previously would also be useful but not essential.

You will be well organised with effective communication and negotiations skills. You will have good planning and problem-solving ability, initiative and a positive approach.

In terms of character, you will be a driven, positive and ambitious individual able to work well within a small focussed team.

You will ideally have a proven track record of successful project delivery with a recognised Main Contractor in a Design Coordination / Design Management role.

This client will also consider a candidate currently working with an architectural or structural engineering consultancy who is looking to make the move into the main contractor Design Manager role.

High standards, attention to detail and the drive to deliver on programme, specification and budget will be very well rewarded with excellent salary, benefits, promotional and development prospects.

Candidates must be able to prove their eligibility to work in the UK