Design Manager - Facades

Albion Recruitment Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Death in Service

25 days annual leave

Long-term career progression

Exposure to Board

Job summary

Albion Recruitment Ltd is recruiting a Design Manager to lead the UK design function for a European façade contractor. You will drive technical excellence, mentor a growing UK design team and partner with senior leadership on major façade projects in the UK.

The role combines hands-on leadership with strategic design direction across multi-project portfolios, reporting to the board and guiding design decisions from pre-construction to completion.

Qualifications

• Varied experience leading UK design teams in façade or building envelope projects.
• Strong knowledge of current Building Regulations and standards.
• Proven ability to coordinate external design consultants and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the UK design function across multiple façade projects.
• Coordinate external design consultants and specialist designers.
• Liaise with architects, structural engineers, façade consultants and clients.
• Manage the design process through all RIBA stages.
• Review drawings and design deliverables for accuracy and conformance.
• Ensure designs meet Building Regulations and fire safety standards.
• Support pre-construction submissions and value engineering.
• Collaborate with operations to ensure on-time project delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Façade expertise

Building Regulations

Stakeholder communication

External consultants management

Job description

Design Manager - Facades

£70,000-£80,000 + Excellent Package

South West London (1 Day Remote Working)

Lead the UK Design Function for a Growing European Façade Contractor

Albion is exclusively supporting a well-established European façade contractor in the appointment of a Design Manager to lead its UK design department.

Reporting directly to the Board, this is a genuine leadership opportunity for an ambitious Design Manager looking to take the next step in their career and play a key role in the continued growth of a highly respected specialist contractor.

With a strong reputation built on delivering landmark high-rise façade projects across Europe and the UK, the business has evolved into one of the market leaders within façade remediation, recladding and building safety, acting as Principal Contractor on complex schemes nationwide.

As the business continues to expand, they are looking for someone to take ownership of the UK design function, driving quality, technical excellence and project delivery across an exciting portfolio of work.

The Role

You’ll lead the design process from pre-construction through to project completion, coordinating external design consultants while acting as the key technical interface between clients, architects, engineers and project delivery teams.

This is a hands-on leadership position, offering the opportunity to influence the company's design strategy, mentor the wider team and work directly alongside senior leadership on major façade remediation projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the UK design function across multiple façade projects.
• Coordinate and oversee external design consultants and specialist designers.
• Liaise with architects, structural engineers, façade consultants and clients.
• Manage the design process through all RIBA stages.
• Review technical drawings, specifications and design deliverables.
• Ensure designs comply with current Building Regulations, fire safety requirements and industry standards.
• Support pre-construction, technical submissions and value engineering.
• Work closely with operational teams to ensure successful project delivery.

About You

• Previous experience as a Design Manager within the façade, cladding or building envelope sector.
• Strong technical understanding of façade systems and current Building Regulations.
• Experience managing external consultants and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Confident communicating with clients, architects, engineers and senior stakeholders.
• Ambitious and career-driven, looking to step into a genuine leadership role.
• Experience across façade remediation or recladding projects would be highly advantageous.

The Company

• Established and highly respected European façade contractor.
• Strong track record delivering flagship high-rise façade projects.
• Significant investment and growth within façade remediation and recladding.
• Acting as Principal Contractor on complex building safety projects nationwide.
• Collaborative, forward-thinking business with a strong technical reputation.
• Genuine opportunity to influence the future direction of the UK design function.

Package

• £70,000-£80,000 depending on experience.
• One day per week working from home.
• Private healthcare.
• Death in Service.
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
• Long-term career progression with direct exposure to the Board.
• Opportunity to lead and develop a growing UK design department.