Design Manager

Fawkes and Reece; Swindon; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fawkes and Reece in Swindon is seeking an ambitious Design Manager to lead design development for two education schemes in Wiltshire, including a CLT framed new build SEND school.

Reporting to the Senior Design Manager, you will oversee consultant design teams, coordinate information, secure planning permissions, and manage buildability and value engineering to deliver on programme and budget.

Qualifications

• Engineering/Construction or Architectural background with strong technical knowledge.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Proven track record delivering projects for a main contractor.
• Able to work to programme, budget and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Manage design development for education projects.
• Appointment and management of consultant design teams.
• Liaise with clients, trusts and end users.
• Coordinate specialist sub-contractor design teams.
• Ensure information required schedules and key dates are met.
• Review construction design information for buildability and compliance.

Skills

Design management

Communication skills

Project coordination

Buildability knowledge

Education

Engineering/Construction background

Job description

Reference: MO11082026_1789462305
Posted: September 15, 2026

Ambitious/experienced Design Manager required by the Swindon office of this busy Southern Regional contractor to take the lead and manage the design process for 2 education projects in the Wiltshire area.

One of these is a new build SEND school currently in PCSA for design development for a further 30+ weeks, then construction is due to commence on site in the new year. This school will feature a cross laminated timber (CLT) frame, so some prior experience of working with this material would be advantageous.

There is also prior experience within the business currently.

The other scheme is a new build single storey PE block constructed within the grounds of an existing school. This scheme is also currently in PCSA and due to commence later this year/early next.

Reporting to the Senior Design Manager and working closely with the relevant Project Manager, you will manage the design development and input to the buildability aspects of schemes through the rest of the second stage preconstruction phase and throughout the construction phase on site.

Duties will include:

• Management of the design development for projects;
• Appointment and management of consultant design team;
• Regular liaison with clients and stakeholder, trusts and end users
• Engagement with and managing specialist sub-contractor design teams;
• Agreement of information required schedule; Ensuring key dates achieved;
• Dealing with local authorities to achieve planning permissions / discharge planning conditions;
• Review of construction design information for buildability, compliance with contractors proposals, employers requirements, budget, current building legislation, Building Safety Regulations, etc;
• Identifying opportunities for effective value engineering where appropriate;
• Proactive issue resolution;
• Overall managing the smooth and timely delivery of detailed design information for procurement and construction throughout the preconstruction and build process.

About the Company:

This opportunity is the busy Regional office of a larger main contractor group with several other offices across the South of England.

They have experience and a proven track record in the delivery of new build and refurbishment schemes in retirement living, primary school education, private education, healthcare, leisure, commercial offices, local authority, etc in the Wiltshire, Gloucester, Hampshire areas.

Turnover is circa £60m for the office which is located in Swindon with easy access to the M4.

There is a very good pipeline of work for the next 2 years secured on a mixture of regional frameworks, competitive tenders and negotiated work with repeat clients.

This business has a strong commitment to and focus on delivering quality buildings for clients, making the right decisions at each stage of the process and building positive relationships with clients, consultants and supply chain.

Requirements including certificates and qualifications:

Either from an Engineering/Construction delivery or Architectural background, you will possess excellent technical and commercial knowledge, a keen understanding of construction methodology, materials and systems, procurement lead in times, etc.

You will have excellent communication and negotiations skills, strong planning and problem solving ability, initiative and a positive approach. In terms of character, you will be a hard-working, positive and proactive individual able to work well within a team dynamic.

You will ideally have a proven track record of successful project delivery with a recognised Main Contractor in a Design Coordination / Design Management role.

High standards, attention to detail and the drive to deliver on programme, specification and budget will be very well rewarded with excellent salary, benefits, promotional and development prospects.