Design Manager

Unfold Talent; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

London-based fit-out contractor is expanding its Design Management team, seeking experienced Design Managers to join and lead across projects from tender through to handover.

You will coordinate architects, M&E consultants and subcontractors, manage design changes and ensure buildability, build programme, and alignment with design intent on £1m–£20m schemes.

Qualifications

• Design management experience on fit-out/refurbishment projects.
• Track record on commercial fit-out projects (£1m–£20m) including Cat A/B.
• Strong technical knowledge of interior construction and M&E coordination.
• Experience leading cross-disciplinary design teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design process from tender to handover.
• Coordinate external architects, interior designers, M&E consultants, and subcontractors.
• Review drawings and specs for buildability, compliance and cost.
• Run design team meetings and manage information release to meet programme.
• Track design changes, RFIs and design risk.
• Work with Project Managers to keep projects on budget.
• Ensure designs meet Building Regulations, fire strategy and standards.
• Support bids and present to clients when needed.
• Manage O&M information and design close-out.

Skills

Design management

Fit-out experience

Coordination with external consultants

M&E coordination

Job description

This is one of London's longest-established fit-out contractors, with a reputation built on quality delivery and long-standing client relationships. They work across multiple sectors, and they're going from strength to strength, with a flurry of recently secured projects and a strong future pipeline.

With that growth, and as the Design Management team expands, they're looking for experienced Design Managers to join the team and bring their skills, knowledge and relationships.

The role

You'll lead design management on projects from £1m to £20m, from tender input, pitching and pre-construction through to completion. It's a role with real ownership. You'll be the link between the client, the design team, the project team and the supply chain, making sure every scheme is fully coordinated, buildable, on programme and true to the design intent.

What you'll be doing

• Managing the design process from tender and pre-construction through to handover
• Coordinating external architects, interior designers, M&E consultants and specialist subcontractors
• Reviewing drawings, specifications and technical submissions for buildability, compliance and cost
• Running design team meetings and managing information release to suit the programme
• Tracking and managing design changes, RFIs and design risk
• Working closely with the Project Managers and commercial team to keep projects on budget
• Making sure designs meet Building Regulations, fire strategy and relevant standards
• Supporting bids and presenting to clients where needed
• Managing O&M information and design close-out at completion

What they're looking for

• Design Management experience with a fit-out, refurbishment or Design & Build contractor
• A track record on commercial fit-out projects of £1m to £20m, including Cat A, Cat B and occupied refurbishments
• Strong technical knowledge of interior construction, detailing and M&E coordination
• Confident managing external consultants and design teams
• Ability to run multiple smaller projects at the same time with minimal supervision

What's on offer

• Competitive package
• A varied pipeline of projects with genuine ownership
• A stable, well-respected business with a great reputation