Design Manager

People Group; Essex; On-site; GBP 66,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

People Group is seeking a seasoned Design Manager for a site-based role on a DfE project at the Hertfordshire/Essex border, focusing on a sports block including swimming pool and gym facilities. The project is underway and requires hands-on delivery through to completion, with Handover and closeout at stage 5.

You will coordinate external design teams, ensure compliance with BB101/acoustic standards, manage risk and cost control, and liaise with school stakeholders, consultants and the

Qualifications

• Experience delivering education sector projects preferred (DfE)
• Knowledge of BB101 acoustic/ventilation standards advantageous
• Site-based design management experience in construction environments

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and maintain design management plans (DMPs) for the project.
• Coordinate external design teams, architects and consultants.
• Ensure compliance with educational layouts and government standards.
• Review drawings for buildability and identify cost-saving VE options.
• Chair design team meetings and liaise with stakeholders (DfE/school, commercial, site teams).
• Maintain risk registers and lead workshops to mitigate risks.
• Track design programmes against milestones and align with cost plans.
• Oversee RFI process, technical approvals and information distribution.
• Coordinate handover documentation including O&M manuals and H&S files.

Skills

Design management

Consultant coordination

Compliance & standards

Buildability & value engineering

Stakeholder communication

Design risk management

Programme & cost control

RFI & document control

Handover & closeout

Job description

Fantastic Design Manager opportunity to join a Project and see this through to completion based in the Hertfordshire/Essex border area, immediate start!

A Design Manager is required to join a main contractor, and deliver for a Department for Education (DfE) client, the building is a secondary school academy and specialist performing arts college, with the particular focus being a sports block, completing the swimming pool, gymnasium, changing rooms and other areas within the block. The project is already underway and a competent, confident and capable Design Manager is required to see this through and deliver stage 5 construction completion including handover, as well as handover checklists, closiung out planning ensuring school or educational buildings meet strict government standards, budgets, and timelines. The design manager will act as the bridge between the client's output specifications, external consultants, and the construction team, DfE experience is ideal but not essential.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Design Management Plans (DMPs) Develop, implement, and maintain project-specific DMPs that align with company procedures and DfE standards.
• Consultant Coordination: Appoint, manage, and coordinate external design teams, architects, and specialist engineering consultants.
• Compliance and Standards: Ensure all educational layouts, environmental conditions (such as BB101 acoustic and ventilation standards), and building safety regulations are strictly met.
• Buildability and Value Engineering: Review technical drawings and specifications to maximize buildability, spot design clashes early, and identify cost-effective value engineering options.
• Stakeholder Communication: Chair design team meetings and act as the primary link between the DfE/school stakeholders, commercial teams, and site construction crews.
• Design Risk Management: Maintain project risk registers and lead regular workshops to mitigate technical, financial, and regulatory risks.
• Programme and Cost Control: Track detailed design programmes against key milestones while keeping the design aligned with the project's commercial cost plan.
• RFI and Document Control: Oversee the Request for Information (RFI) process, technical approvals, and information distribution.
• Handover and Closeout: Coordinate technical handover documentation, including Health & Safety files and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) manuals - stage 5

Key Information:

• £450 day rate
• Length of project is a minimum of 5 months
• Immediate start
• Interview to be carried out via teams initially
• DFE experience is ideal however not essential
• Site based