Freelance Design Manager - Mod Or Moj

Velocity Recruitment Ltd; Prestwich; Hybrid; GBP 74,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Velocity Recruitment Ltd is partnering with a premier UK main contractor to recruit a Freelance Design Manager to lead fire safety improvements for MoD/MoJ projects. The role requires dual presence between Warrington office and Rochdale site, with a day rate of £400-£500 and an ongoing freelance contract, starting ASAP.

You will own the design process, review drawings for buildability and security, coordinate external consultants, and lead design team meetings with delivery teams on site.

Qualifications

• Proven Design Manager experience in a main contractor.
• Experience on MoJ or MoD projects.
• Experience with fire safety schemes or passive fire upgrades.
• Ability to split time between Warrington and Rochdale.

Responsibilities

• Manage the design process for fire safety improvements.
• Review drawings for buildability, compliance, security.
• Liaise with external design consultants and clients.
• Lead design team meetings with onsite delivery teams.

Skills

Design management

MoJ/MoD experience

Fire safety schemes

Stakeholder coordination

Main contractor

Job description

Position: Freelance Design Manager - MoD or MoJ Location: Split between Warrington Office & Rochdale Site Salary: £400-£500 per day (plus expenses) Contract: Freelance, Ongoing Start Date: ASAP

We are partnering with a premier UK main contractor that specialises in high-profile fit-out, refurbishment, and essential infrastructure upgrades.

On their behalf, we are seeking an experienced Freelance Design Manager to lead critical fire safety improvement works within a secure government environment. This is an excellent opportunity to manage complex, compliance-driven design modifications on a high-stakes, long-term project.

This position requires a dual presence, with time split between the regional office in Warrington and the project site in Rochdale. You will take full ownership of coordinating the design process for vital fire safety enhancements.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the entire design process for dedicated fire safety improvement works.
• Review architectural and engineering drawings to ensure buildability, compliance, and strict security protocol alignment.
• Act as the main point of contact for external design consultants, technical specialists, and client stakeholders.
• Lead design team progress meetings and collaborate closely with onsite commercial and delivery teams to resolve technical issues swiftly.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Design Manager within a main contractor environment.
• Experience working on MoJ or MoD projects.
• Experience in fire safety schemes, structural fire upgrades, or passive fire compliance.
• Ability to comfortably split time between the Warrington office and the site in Rochdale.

What's on Offer

• Ongoing, stable freelance contract on a vital infrastructure framework.
• Immediate start available.