Freelance Design Manager

Nadson Consulting Limited; Bristol; On-site; GBP 95,940 - 125,460; Full time

Job summary

Nadson Consulting Limited is partnering with a leading principal contractor to appoint an experienced Freelance Design Manager to support a growing portfolio of Department for Education projects across the Bristol and West M4 corridor.

Projects range from £20m to £60m and include new schools, major refurbishments and extensions, offering a varied, technically challenging workload and a long‑term freelance opportunity.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Design Manager delivering projects for a principal contractor.
• Strong technical and design management capability.
• Ideally qualified with an Architectural or Engineering background.
• Experience on Department for Education or public sector projects is desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of construction detailing, design coordination and building regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the design process from pre-construction through to project completion.
• Manage consultant teams and drive programme, design quality and technical compliance.
• Resolve technical and buildability issues while maintaining milestones.
• Work with operational, commercial and client teams to ensure successful project delivery.

Skills

Design Manager experience

Design coordination

Building regulations

Construction detailing

Public sector/education experience

Education

Architectural background

Job description

Leading Principal Contractor | Department for Education Projects

We are working exclusively with a highly regarded principal contractor who is looking to appoint an experienced Freelance Design Manager to support the delivery of a growing portfolio of Department for Education projects across the Bristol and West M4 corridor.

Projects range from £20m to £60m and include a mixture of new build schools, major refurbishments and extension schemes, offering a varied and technically challenging workload.

• Lead and coordinate the design process from pre-construction through to project completion.
• Manage consultant teams and drive programme, design quality and technical compliance.
• Resolve technical and buildability issues whilst maintaining programme milestones.
• Work closely with operational, commercial and client teams to ensure successful project delivery.

Must have

• Proven experience as a Design Manager delivering projects for a principal contractor.
• Strong technical and design management capability.
• Ideally qualified with an Architectural or Engineering background, although other relevant technical disciplines will be considered.
• Previous experience on Department for Education, education or public sector projects is highly desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of construction detailing, design coordination and building regulations.
• Available to start at short notice.

If you're an experienced Design Manager looking for your next long-term freelance opportunity with one of the UK's leading contractors, I'd be keen to have a confidential discussion.