Design Manager

Equans UK & Ireland; Coleshill CP; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave

Life cover 2x salary

Healthcare

Employee discounts

Gym membership

Cycle to work

CSR days

Learning opportunities

Referral rewards

Employee networks

Wellbeing app

Job summary

Equans is looking for a Design Manager to join our team in Birmingham on a full-time basis. The role offers a competitive salary, a company vehicle, bonus, and benefits package.

You will deliver design management across multiple small to medium projects, coordinate with consultants and production teams, and oversee planning approvals and complex design processes. A degree or chartered qualification is required, with strong tendering and contract knowledge expected.

Qualifications

• Degree level or chartered qualification required.
• Extensive experience in a similar role and sector.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building with clients and consultants.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to multitask under pressure.
• Experience supporting single and two-stage tendering processes.
• Familiarity with JCT, PPC, NEC contract suites.
• Proficient in design programming tools such as Asta Powerproject or Microsoft Project.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Support appointments for consultants and manage the legal review process to complete and sign appointments.
• Design manage multiple small to medium projects and pre-construction opportunities.
• Review and technical appraisal of BSR submissions on large projects through to elemental works.
• Manage the design programme to provide information for procurement and production; update IRS.
• BSR application management (Gateway) including planning fee payments.
• Coordinate third-party services to achieve project success including appointments and payments.
• Check and approve drawings; manage the viewpoint portal for sign-off.
• Assist Project Manager with client management and design-change processes.
• Manage consultant output to align with production teams and promote clear design information.
• Propose innovative solutions to drive value engineering and efficient design.
• Provide pre-construction support: site visits, proposals, and risk identification.

Skills

Communication

Relationships

Organisational skills

Tendering

Problem solving

Education

Degree/Chartered qualification

Tools

Asta Powerproject

Microsoft Project

Job description

Equans is looking for a Design Manager to join our team in Birmingham. This is a full‑time role. On offer is a competitive salary, company vehicle, bonus and benefits package.

What will you deliver?

• Support with appointments for all consultants and manage the legal review process to achieve completed and signed appointments
• Design Manage a number of small to medium sized projects and pre‑construction opportunities
• Review and technical appraisal of BSR submissions, from large projects through to elemental works
• Manage the design programme to achieve information for procurement and production requirements and timescales. Produce and update an IRS
• Manage the BSR application (Gateway) process including applications for full and outline planning, submission of NMA’s and clearance of conditions. Arrange for the payment of all planning fees
• Obtain building control, warranty and other third‑party consultant services to achieve project success including appointments, payments and clearance of conditions
• Check and approve drawings and manage the viewpoint portal to achieve sign off of drawings by the required parties so that all information is at Construction status
• Assist the Project Manager in client management and in the preparation of information to obtain instructions. Manage the design change and/or change control request process
• Manage the performance and output of consultants and sub‑contract designers to achieve project success. Work with production teams to ensure design information is well thought out and easy to follow
• Solve problems with innovative ideas and encourage creativity in achieving value engineering and efficient design
• Provide pre‑construction support including site visits, writing of contractor’s proposals, fee sheets, technical assistance to the Estimating team and identification of risk and design solutions. Attend adjudications and client meetings and present on technical matters
• Attend regular CPD events and learning opportunities where possible

What can we offer you?

• 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays)
• Life Cover equivalent to 2 times annual salary
• Single healthcare cover
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Holiday purchase scheme
• 2 corporate social responsibility days per year
• Broad range of learning opportunities, such as professional qualifications, collective/individual training, and personalised support programmes
• Attractive Employee Referral Rewards Scheme
• Access to our growing employee networks including WiE (Women in Equans), RISE (BAME), LGBTQI+, Working Parents, YPN (Young Persons Network) and our Disability Network
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app

Who are we looking for?

• A degree level or similar chartered qualification will be required to carry out the job role
• Extensive experience of working experience in a similar role and sector of the industry will be required
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills with clients, colleagues, and consultants.
• Strong organisational skills, ability to multitask and work under pressure.
• Experience supporting single and two‑stage tendering processes.
• Familiarity with JCT, PPC, and NEC contract suites.
• Proficient in design programming tools such as Asta Powerproject or Microsoft Project.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail and problem‑solving skills.
• Proactive, results‑driven approach with ability to drive issues to completion.