Design Manager in Brighton

Energy Jobline CVL; Brighton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Energy Jobline CVL is seeking a Design Manager to lead the design process for refurbishment and new build schemes in Brighton. You will ensure compliant, coordinated design outputs aligned with statutory requirements and the Building Safety Act.

The role covers preconstruction and delivery phases, managing design teams, consultants and subcontractors, and driving risk and value engineering within a main contractor environment.

Qualifications

• Strong experience as a Design Manager within a main contractor environment.
• Knowledge of Building Safety Act and Building Safety Regulator processes, including Gateway submissions.
• Experience coordinating design consultants and subcontractors.
• Construction-related degree and health & safety qualifications, with CDM understanding.
• Experience with BIM processes and information management (Golden Thread).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate internal teams, external consultants and subcontractors to deliver safe, compliant and buildable designs.
• Support risk management and value engineering with commercial and operational teams.
• Own design management across preconstruction and delivery phases, ensuring coordination and de-risking.
• Lead design solutions addressing fire safety, structural integrity and buildability in line with legislation.
• Oversee design consultants and specialist subcontractors, with clear scopes and coordination.
• Chair design team meetings and workshops, driving issue resolution and progress.
• Assist tender activities by developing compliant, deliverable design proposals.

Skills

Design management

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder coordination

BIM knowledge

Education

Construction-related degree or equivalent

Tools

Viewpoint

BIM

Job description

New Design Manager vacancy

Position: Design Manager

Sector: Main contractor (new build and refurbishment)

Location: Brighton, EastSussex

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: £ competitive

The company:

A well established main contractor delivering refurbishment and new build schemes procured through design & build contracts. Projects range from minor £2m schemes up to £20m major works contracts.

The role:

The Design Manager will lead and manage the design process for projects, ensuring that all design solutions are compliant, coordinated and aligned with statutory requirements, with particular emphasis on the Building Safety Act and associated regulatory framework. The Design Manager will ensure that design outputs meet the requirements of the Building Safety Regulator, including the management of Gateway submissions, the development and maintenance of the Golden Thread of information, and compliance with duty holder obligations. The key responsibilities of the role include:

• Coordinate internal teams, external consultantsand specialist subcontractors to deliver safe, compliantand buildable solutions.
• Support the commercial and operational teams in managing risk anddelivering value engineering.
• Take ownership of the design management function across both preconstruction and delivery phases, ensuring that schemes are fully coordinated, compliantand de-risked.
• Lead the development of design solutions that address fire safety, structural integrityand buildability. Ensuring alignment with current legislation, guidanceand industry best practice, particularly in relation to higher-risk buildings.
• Oversee the appointment and management of design consultants and specialist subcontractors, ensuring competency, clear scopes of workand effective coordination of design responsibilities.
• Chair and lead design team meetings and technical workshops, driving resolution of design issues, ensuring coordination between disciplinesand maintaining progress in line with programme requirements.
• Support tender activities by developing compliant and deliverable design proposals, identifying risks and opportunitiesand engaging with the supply chain to inform robust design solutions.

Your skills and expertise

• Strong experience as a Design Manager or similar role within a main contractor environment.
• Working knowledge of the Building Safety Act and the role of the Building Safety Regulator is essential, including experience with Gateway processes and regulatory submissions.
• Experience managing design consultants and specialist subcontractors, with the ability to coordinate complex design interfaces and drive design programmes.
• A construction-related degree (or equivalent) is expected, alongside relevant health and safety qualifications and a good understanding of CDM Regulations.
• Experience with BIM processes and common data environments (such as Viewpoint or equivalent) is also important, particularly in relation to information management and the Golden Thread