Design Manager

Willmott Dixon; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction company is seeking a Design Manager to oversee design phases of projects in the West Midlands. The role involves collaborating with various stakeholders, managing design solutions, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Candidates should have strong communication and negotiation skills, alongside technical construction knowledge. Flexibility for hybrid working is offered, aiming for a team-oriented approach and sustainable practices.

Benefits

Enhanced pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Incentive bonus

Car allowance / salary sacrifice car scheme

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of the broader construction industry, sustainability and social value commitments.
• Ability to use software to review 3D models.
• Strong communication and negotiation abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage the design phase of construction projects from concept to documentation.
• Contribute to design partner selection and appointment.
• Prepare design reviews and collaborate with design professionals.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Technical knowledge of construction design

Teamwork

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

Construction related degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

Bluebeam

Job description

Design Manager

Willmott Dixon are currently recruiting for a Design Manager to work on exciting projects within our Midlands construction business. We deliver projects across multiple sectors in the West Midlands. Willmott Dixon support hybrid working and this role will require a presence in our Coleshill office or Snowhill office / on-site at least 3 days per week.

As a Design Manager you will be responsible for the development and control of design on one or more projects. You will identify where we can add extra value for our customers whilst ensuring buildability and quality that meet statutory requirements.

The Design Manager collaborates with project stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and customers, to establish project requirements, objectives, and design criteria. You will also share your knowledge with other members of the design team as well as operational and commercial teams to ensure the overall success of the project.

Duties / responsibilities

• Managing the design phase of construction projects from concept development to construction documentation, ensuring compliance with project objectives, codes, regulations, and standards, for example, fire, planning and building control, among others.
• Contributing to the selection and appointment of design partners, ensuring design responsibilities are correctly apportioned between them and the supply chain partners delivering the Contractor's Design Portion.
• Participating in the selection and procurement of design solutions including modern methods of construction (MMC), materials, finishes, sustainable technology, ensuring they align with project specifications, budgets, and timelines with the wider project team.
• Arranging and preparing for design reviews to assess progress, to identify potential risks or deviations, and implement corrective measures as necessary.
• Collaborating with architects, engineers, and other design professionals to develop comprehensive design plans, drawings, and specifications and work with the design manager to ensure that they accurately represent project requirements.
• Coordinating and managing external design consultants, reviewing and providing feedback on their work to ensure design integrity, consistency and quality.

Essential and Desirable Criteria

Essential

• Working knowledge of the wider construction industry, its challenges and future direction including sustainability and social value commitments.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Technical knowledge of construction design principles, practices, and systems, including architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines.
• Ability to work within a team environment.
• Able to use Microsoft suite of office programmes including Excel, Word, Outlook and Microsoft Project, Bluebeam, use appropriate software to review 3D models.

Desirable

• Working towards CIOB or another related professional membership.
• Construction related degree.
• Valid driving licence.
• Appropriate CSCS card.

Personal Qualities

• Adaptable when dealing with people and managing relationships.
• Seeing the bigger picture and planning ahead.
• Working as part of a team.
• A good forward planner and excellent motivator.
• Able to identify and manage risk and opportunity.
• Constantly reinforce our customer first ethic.
• Provide cost effective and innovative technical solutions.
• A key decision-maker.
• Willingness to continually develop personal and technical effectiveness.

Additional Information

Willmott Dixon embraces diversity in the workplace and will consider flexible and agile working.

We are a disability confident employer.

Benefits : In return we reward our people with a competitive package that gives you flexible benefits to fit your lifestyle and priorities. This includes but is not limited to, an enhanced pension scheme, full / heavily discounted private medical, life assurance, incentive bonus and a car allowance / salary sacrifice car scheme which makes us a leader in sustainable company travel.

About Us

With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon’s purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive.

Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe’s 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025. Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.