Design Manager

Bennett (Construction) Ltd.; Hounslow; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Autonomy in decision-making

Support network from qualified professionals

Job summary

A construction firm in the UK is seeking a Design Manager for a large-scale residential project in Hounslow. You will oversee the Contractor's design team, coordinate design processes, and maintain regulatory requirements for a project valued over £100m. Ideal candidates have experience in design and build for residential schemes, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders. This position is primarily site-based, requiring significant time on-site to ensure adherence to timelines and standards.

Qualifications

• Previous experience on large scale design & build residential projects over £100m.
• Exposure to BSA projects including design coordination.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of CDM, Building Control, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and leadership skills.
• Experience with BIM is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage Contractor’s design team and subcontractors.
• Set out information release schedule aligning with master programme.
• Chair project design team meetings with CMT & Contractor.
• Review and control regulatory requirements.
• Assist with Pre-Construction requirements to protect Contractor.
• Carry out buildability review.
• Identify commercial impact of changes to ER’s prior to incorporation into design.
• Review client ER’s including gap analysis and RFI schedule.
• Input into procurement of subcontract packages incl scope.
• Chair project design team meetings with CMT & Contractor team.
• Carry out design workshops as required.
• Agree design approvals process with client team.
• Input design section into monthly progress report and present at progress meeting.
• Full control of design submittals including status of information.
• Full control of regulatory discharge requirements (planning, building control, BREEAM, HQM, SBD, S278, BSA GW2 & GW3, ESG, Warranty).
• Manage sample sign-off for finishes and create sample tracker.
• Assist in collating the O&M manual prior to Practical completion.
• Ensure timely discharge of regulatory conditions to avoid delays.
• Ensure document control process is effectively managed with site Document Controller.

Skills

Residential construction knowledge

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Understanding of building regulations

Decisiveness on-site

Basic understanding of BIM

Leadership in meetings

Management of design consultants

Issue resolution

Design team management

CDM knowledge

Building Control knowledge

Tools

BIM

Job description

The role will involve full design management & co-ordination of the project including management of Contractor’s design team to include all subcontractors with design responsibility. This role would be minimum 50% site based with the remaining time spent in Head Office.

The successful candidate will be required to have previous experience working on large scale design & build residential schemes with value in excess of £100m with design being complete from stage 3 in 12‑14 months. The successful candidate will require exposure to BSA projects including co‑ordinating design for such.

Project Description

The project consists of 186 unit scheme with 88,000sq ft of CAT commercial space spread across 4nr blocks. Bennett are taking this scheme from completion of Concrete frame which has been completed by others. Main works are due to commence on site in September of this year with completion forecast for Q1 2028. The scheme has a very interesting and intricate façade paired with a high level of finish internally.

Key Skills

• Develop quick understanding of design team scope of service including setting out
• Input in sub‑contractor packages and scopes of works to ensure all items have been included.
• Good understanding of residential construction and current building regulations, Building safety Act including warranty Provider requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills at all levels
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and achieve targets
• Desirable to have a basic understanding of BIM.
• Confident in leading & chairing meetings including writing effective meeting minutes.
• Confidence in dealing with client team.
• Decisive when faced with on‑site issues to avoid delays to progress.
• Effective management of design consultants & sub‑contractors including strong enforcement of the design deliverables and timeline.
• Knowledge of Principal Contractor and Design roles (CDM & Building Control etc)

Operational Actions

• Set out Information release schedule to align with master programme
• Consultant procurement & scope of service
• Assist with Pre‑Construction requirements to protect Contractor.
• Carry out buildability review
• Identify commercial impact of any changes to ER’s prior to incorporation into design.
• Review client ER’s including gap analysis and subsequent RFI schedule
• Input into Procurement of subcontract packages incl scope
• Chair project design team meetings with CMT & Contractor team.
• Carry out design workshops as required
• Agree design approvals process with client team which they will be responsible for managing.
• Input design section into monthly progress report and present at in‑person project progress meeting.
• Full control of design submittals including status of information
• Full control of discharging regulatory requirements not limited to planning, building control, BREEAM, HQM, SBD, S278, BSA GW2 & GW3, ESG, Warranty provider.
• Manage sample sign‑off for all finishes including collating of all samples and creating sample tracker for client sign‑off.
• Assist in collating the O&M manual prior to Practical completion.
• Ensure all regulatory conditions are discharged in a timely manner to avoid any delays to PC
• Ensure document control process is being managed effectively including liaising with site Document Controller

We are an equal opportunities employer.

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Working within Bennetts brings a good degree of autonomy, allowing yourself to mature professionally, however there is a full support network of highly qualified professionals and industry leading individuals to gain advice from.