Design Manager

Skilled Careers; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Job summary

Skilled Careers is recruiting a Design Manager in Central Manchester for a Tier 2 main contractor delivering refurbishment schemes across the UK. You will manage the design process across pre-construction and delivery, coordinating design packages, liaising with subs and consultants, and ensuring Building Regulations compliance.

Expect to lead design programmes with VE proposals and provide expert guidance on risk and statutory requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience in design management for Tier 1/2 contractors.
• Ability to lead design programmes and VE initiatives.
• Strong communication and collaboration with design teams and clients.

Responsibilities

• Manage the design process to deliver compliant, cost-efficient design packages pre-construction and delivery.
• Engage with digital and sustainability requirements of the project.
• Liaise with subcontractors and consultants to ensure design information meets Building Regulations.
• Control design information release, drawings production and approvals; chair meetings.
• Provide guidance with risk mitigation and statutory compliance across disciplines.

Skills

Design management

Collaboration

Communication

Lead design programme

Design review

VE proposals

MEPH understanding

Tools

Viewpoint EDMS

Job description

Position: Design Manager

Office location: Central Manchester

Salary/Package: £ competitive + car allowance and comprehensive package

Target start date: October/November2026

The company: A Tier 2 main contractor delivering refurbishment schemes across the UK that delivers Design & Build contracts for a host of clients nationally and are primarily focused envelope refurbishments. An excellent work winner and the future pipeline of work with new contracts flowing through constantly..

The Design Manager role:

• You will be required to manage the design process to deliver technically compliant, cost-efficient and coordinated design packages, during both the pre-construction and project delivery stages.
• Engage and manage the digital and sustainability requirements of the project.
• Liaise with subcontractors, design team members and external consultants, creating a collaborative environment to deliver design information that meets all the relevant requirements and conforms to Building Regulations.
• You will manage the design information release, production and approval of technical drawings, chair Client Engagement Meetings (CEM's) and design workshops, coordinate complex design packages, and validate design details, adding value to the construction process.
• Providing expert guidance and technical support, you will work closely with the client, Technical Advisors (TA's) and project teams to identify and mitigate risks, as well as ensure compliance with all statutory, legal, and planning requirements.
• Demonstrate level of technical competence across Arch, Structures and MEPH
• Assisting with the selection and scope of suitable subcontractors for Contractor Design Portions and working drawings.
• Ensure the design programme is developed and managed with all parties to inform the TIDP and MIDP.
• Regular reporting both internally and externally.

About you and the skills you possess:

• Design Manager experience within a Tier 1 or 2 is preferred
• A collaborative approach that can gel with site operations teams as you will be an intrinsic part of the project team.
• Able to engage and motivate and with confidence to make decisions when required.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Confident in reviewing designs for technical completeness and buildability
• Develop Consultant scopes of service and the Design Responsibility Matrix, Develop VE proposals with wider team, Lead design programme.
• An understanding of Viewpoint EDMS.

Why apply for this role:

• A competitive starting salary + package.
• Working in a supportive, professional team environment.
• Working within a well resourced business that is focused on quality execution of projects.
• Working with a company that is consistently winning profitable work and has a very strongpipeline of projects for the coming years.

Career mobility and opportunity