Industrial Placement - Design Manager

Kier Group; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction contractor is seeking a Construction Design student for an Industrial placement in Nottingham. This role includes assisting with the design aspects of construction projects and requires a strong interest in design management. Candidates must be pursuing a relevant degree and have the potential to graduate in 2027. The position offers hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and the chance to secure further employment or graduate opportunities.

Benefits

Practical experience

Skill improvement

Networking opportunities

Career insights

Increased employment opportunities

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a relevant degree with a placement requirement.
• Strong interest in construction design management and project coordination.
• Ability to return to university with a graduation year of 2027.

Responsibilities

• Assist in coordinating and managing design aspects of projects.
• Ensure design accuracy and timeliness of structural drawings.
• Collaborate with teams to meet design specifications.

Skills

Organisational skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving abilities

Effective communication

Teamwork

Proficiency in AutoCAD

Proficiency in Revit

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

Pursuing a degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering

Job description

Overview

We’re looking for a Construction Design student to join our Construction team based in Nottingham, for an Industrial placement.

Location: Nottingham, with flexibility to travel across the region
Starting salary: £26,208 per annum
Pathway: 12 months - 40 hours per week, with the potential to lead onto a Graduate position
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 and borders. We design and deliver buildings that are key to the UK's infrastructure — from hospitals and treatment centres to schools, leisure centres and prisons. Kier operates across regions: London & Southern, Western & Wales, Eastern & Midlands and North & Scotland.

These programmes provide experiences and tools for progression within your chosen career as part of Kier’s placement scheme.

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

Responsibilities

What you will be responsible for:

• As an Industrial Placement Design Manager, assist in coordinating and managing the design aspects of construction projects from inception to completion.
• Ensure structural drawings and designs are produced on time and are easy to decipher.
• Oversee the design process using technical expertise.

Day-to-day activities

• 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.

How the Industrial Placement works

Kier is committed to encouraging talent and providing opportunities for growth and development. When you join, you will be enrolled onto our Industrial placement scheme. The programme will take 12 months to complete and is designed to immerse you in the world of construction, giving you practical experiences to support your degree.

What we offer – 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 the industry and potential career paths.
• Employment opportunities: increase chances of securing a further placement or graduate opportunity at Kier or elsewhere.

What we are looking for

We’re seeking students pursuing a degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering or related field who have the option or requirement to complete a placement year from 2025–2026. After placement, you’ll return to university with a graduation year of 2027.

Role fit

• Strong interest in construction design management and project coordination.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Project).

Rewards and benefits

We offer a range of flexible benefits you can tailor to your needs. See more information on benefits here.

Diversity and inclusion

Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a high priority. Our employees shape Kier’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, and our people have influenced policies through their experiences. 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 who meet the minimum criteria are offered an interview.

Recruitment timeline

• October 2025: Initial applications
• November 2025: Application reviews
• January 2026 onwards: Interviews