Design Manager

Tribuild; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK specialist contractor is seeking a Design Manager to manage design and technical deliverables across various construction projects. You will ensure compliance with regulations, lead design reviews, and coordinate with internal and external teams. Ideal candidates will have a strong technical background and experience in specialist subcontracting, particularly in fire protection and architectural solutions. This permanent position offers the opportunity to impact a growing business.

Qualifications

• Experience in specialist subcontracting or construction, particularly in fire protection or architectural packages.
• Proven ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary design inputs.
• Strong understanding of compliance requirements, particularly regarding fire safety.

Responsibilities

• Manage design and technical coordination across projects.
• Lead design reviews, ensuring solutions are compliant.
• Liaise with contractors, architects, and regulatory bodies.

Skills

Design management

Technical coordination

Compliance knowledge

Leadership

Communication

Job description

I'm recruiting for a Design Manager on behalf of a leading UK specialist contractor delivering complex passive fire protection and architectural solutions across commercial, healthcare, residential, and major infrastructure projects. This is a permanent position and can be based out of regional offices in the South East, Midlands and Cheshire.

This is a business that has built a strong reputation for technical excellence, compliance, and collaboration with major Tier 1 contractors and public-sector clients. They are entering a new phase of growth and investing in strengthening their pre-construction and design management function.

The Role

You'll be responsible for managing design and technical deliverables from tender through to project completion, coordinating with internal delivery teams, external design consultants, and client design managers. The position requires someone confident in leading design reviews, developing compliant solutions, and ensuring projects meet both technical and regulatory standards (including fire safety and Building Safety Act requirements).

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all design and technical coordination across multiple live and tendered projects
• Lead design reviews, identify risks, and propose compliant, buildable solutions
• Liaise with main contractors, architects, consultants, and regulatory bodies
• Oversee production of detailed design information, drawings, and technical submissions
• Support estimating and pre-construction teams during bid and tender phases
• Ensure compliance with FIRAS, Building Safety Act, and 'Golden Thread' documentation

About You

• Experience working within specialist subcontracting or construction (fire protection, façades, fit-out, or architectural packages ideal)
• Proven ability to manage design information and coordinate multi-disciplinary input
• Strong technical background and understanding of compliance-led environments
• Confident communicator with a proactive, solution-driven approach

This would suit someone currently in a Design Manager or Senior Design Coordinator role looking to step into a business going through a growth and investment phase, where you can make a real impact on systems, delivery, and client interface.

If this sounds of interest, please apply with an updated CV.