Graduate Design Manager

Kier Group; Witham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK national contractor is seeking a Graduate Design Manager in Witham. This role offers a structured 2-year development programme aimed at recent graduates in related fields. Responsibilities include assisting design processes and collaborating with various stakeholders. The position provides a starting salary of £30,000 with career progression potential to an assistant level role.

Benefits

Practical experience

Skill improvement

Networking opportunities

Career insight

Qualifications

• Graduates due in 2026, or graduates within the past three years.
• Full UK Driving Licence required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing all aspects of design on projects.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and clients.
• Review and analyze project drawings for accuracy.
• Support development of design solutions that meet objectives.

Skills

Effective communication

Team collaboration

Interest in project management

Proficiency in AutoCAD

Proficiency in Revit

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering, or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Overview

Graduate Design Manager to join the Construction team based in Witham. This is a structured graduate development programme designed to provide experiences and tools for progression within your chosen career.

Location: Witham, with flexibility to travel across the region. Starting salary: £30,000 per annum, with potential £4,750 car allowance depending on eligibility. Pathway: Permanent, Full-time 2-year programme, leading to an assistant level role upon completion with salary potential of circa £38k. Starting date: September 2026.

We are a leading UK national contractor delivering projects of all sizes and complexities in the public and private sectors, including education, healthcare, defence and justice. We design and deliver buildings that are key to the UK's infrastructure, from hospitals and treatment centres to schools, leisure centres and prisons.

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

What you will be responsible for

As a Graduate Design Manager, you will be working within the Construction team on live projects on site and in pre-construction in the office. You will assist in managing all aspects of design on projects, working alongside the Architects, Engineers and other design team members. This role offers a fantastic opportunity for a recent graduate to gain hands-on experience, receive mentorship from experienced professionals, and develop a strong foundation in quantity surveying.

Day-to-day duties

• 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.
• Monitoring design progress and adjusting as necessary to meet project goals.
• Working alongside the Kier Operational and Commercial teams to update them on design progress and address project challenges and solutions.

Graduate scheme

When you join, you will be enrolled onto our graduate scheme. The programme will take 2 years to complete and has been designed to equip you with the skills you need to excel in your chosen profession and help you achieve professional membership or chartership.

You can find more details about our schemes in the relevant section.

Benefits

• 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.
• Career insight: gain insights into your chosen industry and potential career paths.

Who we’re looking for

Graduates due in 2026, or graduates within the past three years, with a degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineer/Technology, Interior Architecture or a related field.

Candidate profile

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Interest in learning to plan and manage a project.
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to build relationships with people external to the company.
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Project).
• Must hold a Full UK Driving Licence.

Rewards and benefits

We offer a variety of flexible benefits that you can tailor to your needs. Further information on benefits is available through our resources.

Diversity and inclusion

We are committed to diversity and inclusion. Our Disability Confident status ensures fair opportunities for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for this role. We also publish our D&I action plan for transparency.

Recruitment timeline

• October 2025: Initial applications
• November 2025: Application reviews
• January 2026 onwards: Virtual and in-person assessment centres

We look forward to receiving your application to join Kier.