Design Manager

Ignite Talent Group; North East; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ignite Talent Group is partnered with a well-established UK contractor to appoint a Design Manager for its Durham-based North East operation. The role is ideal for an experienced Design Manager or Senior Design Coordinator seeking progression.

You will lead early-stage design, work with clients and internal teams to maximise site development, assess constraints, and ensure feasibility across major schemes typically £50m+.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working for a Tier 1 or major UK main contractor.
• Experience as a Design Manager, Senior Design Coordinator, Design Lead or similar.
• Experience working on major construction projects, ideally with project values of £50m+.
• Strong understanding of pre-construction and early-stage design development.
• Experience of greenfield and/or brownfield developments, with greenfield experience particularly desirable.
• Understanding of site infrastructure and utility requirements.
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder-management experience.
• Experience across sectors such as education, residential, healthcare or commercial construction would be beneficial.
• Working knowledge of Revit and AutoCAD 3D.
• Strong understanding of BIM processes and coordinated design environments.
• Knowledge of planning requirements and Section 106 agreements would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the design process from early-stage feasibility and pre-construction through to project delivery.
• Work closely with clients to understand development requirements and establish viable design solutions.
• Assess greenfield and brownfield sites, identifying constraints, opportunities and infrastructure requirements.
• Support decisions around building footprint, floor space, storeys, accommodation requirements and overall site utilisation.
• Coordinate architects, consultants, subcontractors and other design stakeholders.
• Manage design programmes, information requirements and technical deliverables.
• Ensure designs meet client requirements, Building Regulations, planning requirements and relevant construction standards.
• Support BIM-led design coordination and collaborative working.
• Identify and manage design risks throughout the pre-construction and delivery process.
• Work closely with commercial, planning, operational and pre-construction teams.

Skills

Design management

Pre-construction experience

Stakeholder management

Client liaison

BIM coordination

Project feasibility

Space planning

Site utilisation

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD 3D

Job description

An established UK contractor is looking to appoint a Design Manager to join its growing North East operation, based from its Durham office.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Design Manager or a Senior Design Coordinator / Design Lead looking to take the next step in their career.

The role will have a strong focus on the early stages of project development, working with clients and internal teams to understand how sites can be developed and maximised. This will include assessing land and site constraints, buildability, utilities and infrastructure requirements, planning considerations and the overall feasibility of proposed developments.

Projects will typically be major construction schemes, often in excess of £50m, across sectors including education, residential, healthcare and commercial development.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the design process from early-stage feasibility and pre-construction through to project delivery.
• Work closely with clients to understand development requirements and establish viable design solutions.
• Assess greenfield and brownfield sites, identifying constraints, opportunities and infrastructure requirements.
• Support decisions around building footprint, floor space, storeys, accommodation requirements and overall site utilisation.
• Coordinate architects, consultants, subcontractors and other design stakeholders.
• Manage design programmes, information requirements and technical deliverables.
• Ensure designs meet client requirements, Building Regulations, planning requirements and relevant construction standards.
• Support BIM-led design coordination and collaborative working.
• Identify and manage design risks throughout the pre-construction and delivery process.
• Work closely with commercial, planning, operational and pre-construction teams.

Experience Required

• Previous experience working for a Tier 1 or major UK main contractor.
• Experience as a Design Manager, Senior Design Coordinator, Design Lead or similar.
• Experience working on major construction projects, ideally with project values of £50m+.
• Strong understanding of pre-construction and early-stage design development.
• Experience of greenfield and/or brownfield developments, with greenfield experience particularly desirable.
• Understanding of site infrastructure and utility requirements.
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder-management experience.
• Experience across sectors such as education, residential, healthcare or commercial construction would be beneficial.
• Working knowledge of Revit and AutoCAD 3D.
• Strong understanding of BIM processes and coordinated design environments.
• Knowledge of planning requirements and Section 106 agreements would be advantageous.

This is a permanent opportunity offering the chance to join a growing regional operation with a strong pipeline of major construction projects across the North East.