Design Manager - Oxford

Fawkes & Reece London; Oxford, Banbury; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fawkes & Reece London is recruiting a Design Manager for Oxford to lead the design process across a varied pipeline, including high-end refurbishment projects for Oxford University, within listed buildings and live schemes. You will oversee preconstruction through to delivery, coordinating with Project Managers and the wider teams to develop buildable designs on time and within budget.

Based at the Oxford office, the role requires a technical background and a proven track record in Design

Qualifications

• 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.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, strong planning and problem solving ability, initiative and a positive approach.
• A proven track record of successful project delivery with a recognised Main Contractor in a Design Coordination / Design Management role.
• High standards, attention to detail and the drive to deliver on programme, specification and budget.

Responsibilities

• Manage the design development for projects.
• Appointment and management of consultant design team.
• Chair regular design team meetings.
• Liaise with clients and stakeholders regularly.
• Engage with and manage specialist sub-contractor design teams.
• Agree information required schedules and ensure key dates are met.
• Obtain planning permissions and discharge planning conditions.
• Review construction design information for buildability and compliance with budgets and regulations.
• Identify opportunities for value engineering where appropriate.
• Proactively resolve issues.
• Ensure smooth and timely delivery of detailed design information for procurement and construction.

Skills

Design management

Construction knowledge

Communication skills

Planning

Problem solving

Negotiation skills

Education

Engineering/Construction background

Job description

Design Manager - Oxford

About the role:

Ambitious/experienced Design Manager required by the Oxford office of this busy Southern Regional contractor to take the lead and manage the design process across a varied pipeline of projects in and around Oxford.

The workload includes regular high-end refurbishment projects for Oxford University, including works within listed buildings, alongside several live and upcoming schemes.

Current projects include a 3.5m student accommodation scheme at St John's College, due to commence on site later this month, a 1m children's home refurbishment in Oxford city centre which is currently on site, and a 2m town centre refurbishment and fire suppression scheme in Banbury, due to commence next month.

You will manage projects from preconstruction through to delivery, working closely with the relevant Project Managers and wider project teams to manage design development and buildability throughout the preconstruction and construction phases.

Duties will include:

• Management of the design development for projects;
• Appointment and management of consultant design team;
• Chairing regular design team meetings;
• Regular liaison with clients and stakeholders;
• Engagement with and managing specialist sub-contractor design teams;
• Agreement of information required schedule; ensuring key dates are achieved;
• Dealing with local authorities to achieve planning permissions / discharge planning conditions;
• Review of construction design information for buildability, compliance with contractors proposals, employers requirements, budget, current building legislation, Building Safety Regulations, etc;
• Identifying opportunities for effective value engineering where appropriate;
• Proactive issue resolution;
• Overall managing the smooth and timely delivery of detailed design information for procurement and construction throughout the preconstruction and build process.

About the Company/Client/Project:

This opportunity is with the busy Oxford office of a larger main contractor group with several other offices across the South of England.

The Oxford office has a turnover of circa 65m and a varied pipeline of refurbishment and new build work, including regular projects for Oxford University alongside schemes across Oxford and the surrounding area.

The business has recently strengthened the Oxford operation with a new senior team, including a new Head of Construction and Regional Lead, providing an opportunity to join the office as it continues to develop.

This business has a strong commitment to and focus on delivering quality buildings for clients, making the right decisions at each stage of the process and building positive relationships with clients, consultants and supply chain.

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, etc.

You will have excellent communication and negotiation skills, strong planning and problem solving ability, initiative and a positive approach. In terms of character, you will be a hard-working, positive and proactive individual able to work well within a team dynamic.

You will ideally have a proven track record of successful project delivery with a recognised Main Contractor in a Design Coordination / Design Management 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.