Design Manager

Fortem; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

25 days annual leave

Discretionary bonus up to 10%

Company car orMotor Expenditure Allow.

Training & development

Cycle to work

Job summary

Fortem is seeking a Design Manager to lead the technical design function across RIBA stages for social housing retrofit and capital works. Hybrid role with national travel; based anywhere in England.

You will oversee design teams, ensure compliance with Fortem processes, and lead design review meetings while focusing on decarbonisation and efficient, clash-free BIM coordination.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-discipline design teams.
• Knowledge of design requirements for procurement and construction.
• Ability to manage design information against programme.
• Experience with social housing retrofit projects.
• Understanding of decarbonisation and embodied carbon requirements.
• Familiarity with Two Stage/PCSA contracts.

Responsibilities

• Act as design issues contact and coordinate design work.
• Lead Client Design/Review meetings during Bid/Construction.
• Ensure compliance with Fortem processes and CDE (Viewpoint).
• Coordinate design with BIM toolkit to avoid clashes.
• Oversee design fees, surveys, tests and reports.
• Ensure sustainability requirements (BREEAM) are met.

Skills

Design management

BIM

Viewpoint/CDE

Cladding/retrofit knowledge

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Hons) in a relevant field

Tools

Viewpoint

BIM toolkit

Job description

Fortem Solutions are currently recruiting for a newly created Design Manager position to join our established Technical Services department on a permanent basis.This position is integral to the sustainable business model, using your knowledge and ability to lead the technical design function throughout the RIBA Work stages, from bidding stage, pre-construction and during the construction stage, to ensure that all designs are produced in compliance with relevant legislation, Come and be part of an exciting team within Fortem, as the business grows to meet Social landlords needs and develop yourself as the team expands.You will be joining a recently new team developed three years ago who are open, transparent, well bonded and professional offering a one team approach with assistance and guidance to the business. The role is exceptional unique and offers opportunities for you to place your mark on the business and in return it will offer growth, training progression, in a friendly working environment.This is a high performing, professional and dedicated team offering excellent career progression for the successful individual.Hybrid position with flexible working, you can be based anywhere in England (some national travel required to sites and offices, accommodation is provided).

The Project

You will be working on large scale Retrofit and Capital Works social housing refurbishment contracts, with particular focus on high risk/high rise buildings.

Essential and Desirable Criteria

• Act as point of contact for design issues.
• Establishment and compliance of design management / information protocols using Fortem Process and Procedure; Common Data Environment (CDE) i.e. Viewpoint.
• Review designers scopes of services, and novation agreements, against projects, ECI or PSCA agreements
• Ensure individual staff from consultants / specialists / CPD sub-contractor designers are competent to undertake the roles required and follow the Fortem competency framework.
• Establish any other design/specialist consultants required for the scheme, agree scope and fee proposals.
• Ensure all roles and responsibilities of CDM is factored into the design by the design team, PD (PD advisor)
• Review all design information to establish any areas where Fortem can add value to proposals in decarbonisation / Smart Buildings / design efficiencies.
• Assist estimating / commercial with a technical review of specialist design (CDP) subcontractor tender ensuring design teams are consulted for compliance, qualifications, alternative specifications and opportunities
• Delivery of fully co-coordinated and detailed design proposals
• Coordinate and oversee the design process, ensuring all disciplines fully collaborate and work together seamlessly to avoid conflicts and delays
• Establish and obtain fee quotes / commission any required surveys / tests / reports.
• Liaise with the Commercial Team for cost checking and ensuring the design meets the project budget
• Lead Client Design/Review meetings during Bid/Construction Phases.
• Input into design change - Monitor design changes and change control
• Co-ordinate and manage any BREEAM or sustainable requirement i.e embodied carbon requirements and ensure these are achieved through appropriate appointments and delivered to meet the program.
• Lead the Design Team to use the BIM toolkit to improve design co-ordination and promote clash avoidance, if required.

Personal Qualities

Essential Criteria:

• Excellent construction design technical knowledge.
• Excellent management capabilities to manage, direct and drive multi disciplined design teams.
• Knowledge of methodology and sequencing process in delivering a construction project including design and pre-construction activities.
• Understanding and able to interpret the Employers requirements for design to procurement and construction purposes.
• Ability to drive issues through to completion, setting clear targets and driving the delivery of design information towards those targets.
• Experience working for Social housing Landlords and sustainability/retrofit projects through funding such as , Cladding Safety Scheme.
• An understanding of Retrofit project specifications and requirements and understanding Building Pathology - impacts of retrofitting on an existing built form.
• A demonstrable history of work on complex projects and what impacts the candidate had on these in regard to design control.
• Knowledge of contractual requirements of design and build contracts (Employers Requirements and preparation of Contractors Proposals) with Two Stage, PCSA contracts
• Ability to plan, prepare and present complex technical issues in an appropriate manner to internal (i.e./Governance) and external parties.
• Knowledge of design requirements for procurement and construction purposes.
• Technical understanding of substructures, structures, M&E services and finishes solutions

Desirable Criteria:

• A bachelor's degree (Hons) in a relevant field such as Architecture, Building Surveying, Construction Management, or Architectural Technology.
• Chartered memberships: Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) or Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) demonstrating a high level of commitment and expertise.
• Knowledge of working within public sector contracts within a private sector/practice
• We would consider Architects or Technicians who have client side council and corporate sector contracting backgrounds.

Additional Information

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Motor Expenditure Allowance (£4,000) or company car.
• Option to opt into a salary sacrifice car lease
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + your birthday off (34 days total)
• Discretionary bonus of up to 10%
• 26 weeks full pay maternity leave
• Annual pay reviews
• 8 weeks full pay paternity leave
• Discounted gym memberships at national and local gyms
• Up to £3,000 colleague referral fee
• Vast directory of training on bespoke in-house Learning Management System
• Private healthcare and dental care
• Cycle to work scheme
• Retail and mobile phone provider discounts

About Us

We are part of the Willmott Dixon group, established in 2002 Fortem provides specialist property solutions tailored to keep homes and buildings running smoothly. Our highly trained teams deliver a range of internal and external repairs for Retrofit, Capital works and Repairs and Maintenance programmes.Alongside our core functions, we have extensive experience in decarbonisation, specialising in making homes more energy-efficient and helping clients on their journey to become zero carbon. Our experience, commitment to best practice and exemplary quality, together with a genuine partnered approach, ensures we achieve excellent outcomes for our partners, clients and customers.We have an established track record of improving communities and creating better places for people to work and live.We are Investors in People - Gold, we believe in equality, diversity and respect for all and encourage applications from all sectors of the community.