Graduate Construction Design Manager

Kier Group plc.; Waterbeach; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Practical hands-on experience

Mentorship from professionals

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Kier Group plc in Cambridge is seeking a Graduate Construction Design Manager to join a 2-year pathway that leads to an assistant-level role. The programme offers hands-on experience, mentorship from seasoned professionals, and a starting salary of £31,000 per annum plus a car allowance on some contracts.

The position is permanent, full-time and starts September 2027. You will support the design management process from inception to completion, coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors

Qualifications

• Degree in Architectural Technology, Construction Project Management, Civil Engineering or related field.
• Interest in pursuing a career in design management and construction industry.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and time effectively.
• Team player with reliability and respect for colleagues.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Assist in coordinating and managing the design process for construction projects.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors and clients to ensure design specs are met.
• Review and analyse project drawings, plans and specifications for accuracy and compliance.
• Support development of design solutions aligned with objectives, budget and timelines.
• Conduct site visits to understand project requirements and gather data.

Skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Teamwork

Collaboration

Driving licence

Education

Architectural Technology

Construction Project Management

Civil Engineering

Related discipline

Job description

We're looking for a Graduate Construction Design Manager to join our team based in Cambridge, Location: CambridgeHours: 40 hours per week Starting Salary: £31,000 per annum + Car Allowance (on some contracts)Pathway: Permanent, Full-time 2-year programme, leading to assistant level role upon completion with salary potential of CIRCA £38kStarting date: September 2027

We are unable to offer certificates of sponsorship to any candidates in this role.

As a Graduate Construction Design Manager, you will assist in coordinating and managing the design aspects of construction projects from inception to completion. This role is ideal for a recent graduate eager to start a career in construction design management, offering hands‑on experience, mentorship from seasoned professionals, and opportunities for professional growth. You'll ensure drawings and designs are produced on time and easy to decipher, whilst overseeing the design process using technical expertise.

What will you be responsible for?

As a Graduate Construction Design Manager, you'll be working within the team, supporting them in delivering high-quality design solutions for construction projects.

Your day to day will include:

• Assisting in the coordination and management of the design process for construction projects
• Collaborating with architects, engineers, contractors, and clients to ensure design specifications are met
• Reviewing and analysing project drawings, plans, and specifications for accuracy and compliance with standards
• Supporting the development of design solutions that align with project objectives, budget, and timeline
• Conducting site visits to understand project requirements and gather relevant data

What are the benefits for you?

• Practical experience: gain valuable hands‑on experience in your field.
• Skill improvement: develop technical and professional skills.
• Networking: build professional relationships and expand your network.

You hold a degree in Architectural Technology, Construction Project Management, Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline

• You demonstrate a genuine interest in pursuing a career in design management and the construction industry, with clear motivation to learn and develop professionally
• You have strong attention to detail, ability to prioritise multiple tasks and manage time effectively whilst maintaining high standards
• You work effectively as part of a team, demonstrating collaboration, reliability, and respect for others
• You hold a full UK driving licence

Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a huge priority for us. We're proud of the steps we've taken so far, but we know we must always do more. Our employees are key in shaping Kier's diversity and inclusion initiatives and our people have made a huge impact on how we work, by using their experiences to shape our policies. You can see our D&I action plan here.

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview.

Due to the nature of this role, you will also be required to complete a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (applicants with convictions will be treated on a case‑by‑case basis. We do not discriminate based on an applicant's conviction history or the details of any convictions disclosed to us). Some roles may also be subject to further pre-employment checks.