Design Manager

Building Design Partnership Limited; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee profit share

Private medical insurance

Life insurance

Hybrid working policy

Job summary

Building Design Partnership Limited (BDP) is recruiting a permanent design/project manager for our Manchester studio. You will support the design process with specialist project and commercial management, coordinating design disciplines and managing project controls.

The role involves working on global projects with multidisciplinary international teams, and candidates may be architects seeking a career change. A proactive, career-focused individual is sought.

Qualifications

• Experience in building design process and project management/ commercial issues.
• Knowledge of project planning and ability to interpret contractual documentation.
• Strong mathematical and data analysis skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Project and MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Plan and program design projects across disciplines.
• Oversee internal and external commercial management.
• Coordinate resources across design disciplines and projects.
• Manage procurement through supply chain processes.
• Define scope, deliverables, and monitor progress.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Data analysis

Organisational skills

Contractual awareness

Excel

Education

PRINCE2 or APM PFQ/PMQ

Tools

Microsoft Project

MS Office

Job description

We are looking to recruit a design/project manager on a permanent basis. The role would be based in our Manchester studio. Applications are welcomed from those with project and design management backgrounds, or architects seeking a potential change of career.

Our Design Managers play a key role in supporting the design process via the provision of specialist project and commercial management services including:

• Planning and programming of design projects
• Internal and external commercial management
• Resource co-ordination across design disciplines, projects and sectors.
• Supply chain procurement and management
• Scope and deliverables definition and progress monitoring and reporting
• Working closely with project directors to manage quality assurance and project controls
• Appointment and fee negotiation

This is a permanent, full-time role and we are seeking a pro-active and motivated individual with the ambition to develop a career within BDP. The role will be based in our Manchester studio but will involve working on global projects with multidisciplinary international teams.

About us

BDP is a leading, global, multidisciplinary design practice united by a shared purpose: to design a world that’s built for good. For more than 60 years, we've been solving problems, creating innovative spaces, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. From the start, we've been pioneers in the world of design, and our legacy is built on the meaningful, people‑centred places we've brought to life.

We are a diverse, international practice of architects, engineers, designers, and urbanists. We work closely with our clients, users, and communities to craft spaces for living, working, learning, and enjoying life across the globe. With studios spanning the UK, Ireland, Europe, Asia, and North America, our reach is as broad as our expertise. And since joining forces with Japan’s Nippon Koei in 2016, our ability to deliver integrated, impactful design has only grown stronger.

Our work is rooted in creativity, quality, and collaboration. We believe that great design removes barriers and opens new possibilities, all while meeting the demands of a constantly evolving world. Whether we’re designing homes, workplaces, or public spaces, we always put people at the heart of our thinking, ensuring that the environments we create are not just functional, but also inclusive, beautiful, and socially and environmentally responsible.

We're proud of the places we've shaped and the lives we've touched, and we are committed to continuing our mission of designing a better, more connected world—one that leaves every place better than we found it.

About you

The ideal candidate will have experience of the building design process and project management/ commercial issues. You may be an architect who wishes to move into a project management role, or work in a related design/project management role already.

In addition, the ideal candidate will:

• Have strong communication and people skills with the ability to work well within the dynamics of design and client teams.
• Be commercially aware and comfortable with interpreting and applying contractual documentation.
• Have strong mathematical and data analysis skills.
• Be aware of the challenges and opportunities of working within a creative environment.
• Have knowledge of project management software such as Microsoft Project and an awareness of project planning techniques.
• Have strong organisation skills, with the ability to juggle projects with differing deadlines.
• Have good knowledge of Microsoft applications including Excel.

Relevant qualifications such as PRINCE 2 or APM PFQ/PMQ will be considered an advantage but not essential. There will be opportunity for BDP to support additional training if appropriate.

BDP offers

In return, BDP can offer you a wide range of learning opportunities to encourage personal and professional career development. From sponsorship to profession led CPD events, we also offer annual appraisals and a mentoring scheme that is supported by our internal online learning platform.

We are committed to being an employer of choice and offer a competitive remuneration and benefits package that includes an employee profit share scheme, tax efficient smart benefits, private medical insurance, life insurance, long term sickness insurance, interest free season ticket loans, health screening, opportunity to buy/swap holidays and enhanced maternity and paternity provision, plus many more.

We offer regular international, and studio based social, sporting and charitable events. Some recent events include month-end socials, a hiking club, wellbeing webinars and toolbox talks. Our variety of employee forums gives everyone the platform to have a voice and be heard which drives cultural changes and helps to create an engaged, inclusive organisation.

BDP is actively fostering an inclusive organisation where people can be themselves and everyone has a sense of belonging. We want our teams to be diverse at every level, reflecting the communities we design for. As designers, we will create spaces for all that promote equity, wellbeing and participation within the built environment. We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different skills, professional and life experiences, to join us and help us to achieve our aspirations. We also welcome applications from candidates who wish to work flexibly. BDP also operates a hybrid working policywhich is usually three days in the office and two days working from home.