Freelance Design Manager

Borne Resourcing Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 83,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Freelance Design Manager is sought in London to lead design for residential and mixed-use schemes, advancing through pre-construction and detailed design, with delivery support.

You will coordinate architects, structural and MEP consultants, managing design risk, tracking programmes and information release, and chairing design-team meetings.

Qualifications

• Proven design management experience on residential or mixed-use schemes.
• Strong ability to manage multiple workstreams and consultants.
• Knowledge of PCSA, pre-construction processes, and design risk.
• Experience in coordinating architects, engineers and subcontractors.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects through PCSA, pre-construction and detailed design.
• Coordinate architects, structural, MEP engineers and subcontractors.
• Review design for buildability, programme, and commercial risk.
• Produce and maintain design programmes, trackers and release schedules.
• Chair design-team meetings and drive actions to completion.
• Handle RFIs, technical submissions, and drawing reviews.
• Support tendering, procurement and design development with subs.
• Resolve architectural, structural and services interfaces.
• Collaborate with commercial, operations and pre-construction teams.
• Support environmental and sustainability requirements as needed.

Skills

Design management

Stakeholder coordination

Programme management

Buildability assessment

Sustainability awareness

Education

Architectural background

Job description

Freelance Design Manager | Residential & Mixed-Use | London | Hybrid Working

I'm working with a London-based main contractor who are looking to appoint an experienced Freelance Design Manager to support a growing portfolio of residential and mixed-use projects.

The initial focus will be on schemes progressing through pre-construction and detailed design, alongside providing technical support to projects moving into delivery.

This would suit a commercially aware Design Manager who can quickly take control of consultant information, identify design risk and maintain momentum across several workstreams.

The Role

• Managing projects through PCSA, pre-construction and detailed design
• Coordinating architects, structural engineers, MEP consultants and specialist subcontractors
• Reviewing design information for buildability, compliance, programme and commercial risk
• Producing and maintaining design programmes, trackers and information-release schedules
• Chairing design-team meetings and driving actions through to completion
• Managing RFIs, technical submissions, drawing reviews and consultant information
• Supporting tendering, procurement and subcontractor design development
• Resolving architectural, structural and building-services interfaces
• Working closely with commercial, operational and pre-construction teams
• Supporting environmental and sustainability requirements where required

Projects

• Residential and mixed-use developments
• Schemes progressing through PCSA and pre-construction
• Multi-storey residential construction
• New-build and refurbishment projects
• Multiple projects requiring consultant and design coordination

What they're looking for

• Experienced Design Manager from a main-contractor or developer background
• Strong residential or mixed-use project experience
• Architectural or technically focused background preferred
• Previous involvement during PCSA and pre-construction
• Confident managing multidisciplinary consultants and specialist subcontractors
• Strong understanding of design risk, buildability and information management
• Able to establish control quickly within an existing project team
• BREEAM or wider sustainability experience would be beneficial
• Comfortable working independently across multiple priorities

The Opportunity

• Long-term freelance potential
• Strong pipeline of residential and mixed-use projects
• Exposure to projects from pre-construction into live delivery
• Direct involvement with senior construction and commercial personnel
• Opportunity to improve and influence existing design-management processes