Design Manager

Fawkes & Reece Group; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary and benefits package

Promotional and development prospects

Job summary

Fawkes & Reece Group is recruiting an ambitious Design Manager for our Bristol office to lead design development on a £15m Bath-based extra care residential scheme. You will work with project teams from preconstruction through early construction, spending time between office and site with 2–3 days on site as the works progress.

Reporting to the Regional Design Manager, you will manage design development for two schemes at a time, coordinate consultant teams, and ensure information schedules,

Qualifications

• Proven track record in design management or coordination for main contractors.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials and regulations.
• Excellent communication, planning and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage design development for schemes and coordinate timelines.
• Engage and manage consultant design teams and stakeholder interface.
• Liaise with client and statutory bodies to secure approvals.
• Agree information required schedules and ensure key dates are met.
• Review construction design information for buildability and compliance.
• Identify value engineering opportunities where appropriate.
• Proactively resolve issues and keep design delivery on track for procurement and construction.

Skills

Design management

Coordination

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Engineering/Construction or Architecture background

Job description

Reference: MO23092026_1790174864
Posted: September 23, 2026

Ambitious/experienced Design Manager required by the Bristol office of this busy Tier 2 main contractor to work on a key new build extra care residential scheme in Bath.

The scheme is a circa £15m new build with a complex sub-structure and retaining features due to the hillside location, plus additional challenges in terms of ecology and logistics. Currently in PCSA for the rest of the year, the scheme has planning and momentum so is due to start in early 2027.

Once out of the ground, the scheme will comprise multiple single and two storey modern extra care houses finished externally with Bath stone and a central garden and water feature.

Reporting to the Regional Design Manager, you will work closely with the project team through the latter stages of the PCSA to agree design, methodology, cost plan then throughout construction phase.

Based in the Bristol office for preconstruction phase, then working between office and site once main works are underway, with an expectation of 2-3 days on site with the team as required.

A key flagship scheme for the contractor and BANES Council, you will focus initially on this scheme.

Typicaly you will be responsible for design development across two schemes at a time from preconstruction phase and through delivery on site

Reporting to the Regional Design Manager and working with preconstruction and project delivery teams, you will be responsible for:

• Management of the design development for your schemes;
• Engagement and management of consultant design teams;
• Regular liaison with client and statutory bodies;
• Agreement of information required schedule; Ensuring key dates achieved;
• Review of construction design information for buildability, compliance with contractors proposals, employers requirements, budget, current building safety regulations, etc;
• Identifying opportunities for value engineering opportunities where appropriate;
• Proactive issue resolution;
• Overall managing the smooth and timely delivery of detailed design information for procurement and construction throughout the build process.

About the Company:

The company is a busy Tier 2 main contractor with experience and a proven track record in the delivery of schemes ranging £8m to £20m in value across the patch in the following sectors - private and local authority schools, care and retirement homes, colleges, student accommodation, offices, leisure, etc.

Turnover is circa £35m for the office, with a regional base close to the M4 / M5.

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, building regulations, 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 driven, positive and ambitious individual able to work well within a small team dynamic.

You will ideally have a proven track record of successful project delivery with a main contractor in a Design Management / Coordinator 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.

Candidates must be able to prove their eligibility to work in the UK