Industrial Placement – Design Manager

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

Job summary

A leading construction firm in Plymouth is seeking a Construction Design student for an Industrial Placement as a Design Manager. This 12-month programme will provide practical experience in managing design aspects of construction projects. Ideal candidates should be pursuing a relevant degree and have a strong interest in construction design management. Flexible travel across the region may be required through the placement year.

Benefits

Valuable hands-on experience

Career insights into the construction industry

Networking opportunities

Skill development in technical and professional areas

Qualifications

• Students pursuing a degree eligible for a placement year from 2025-2026.
• Must return to university with a graduation year of 2027.

Responsibilities

• Assist in coordinating and managing the design process.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and clients.
• Review and analyze project drawings for accuracy.

Skills

Interest in construction design management

Organisational skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit

Education

Degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Overview

We\'re looking for a Construction Design student to join our Construction team based in Plymouth, for an Industrial placement.

Location: Plymouth with flexibility to travel across the region

Starting Salary: £26,208 per annum

Pathway: 12 Months - 40hrs per week, with the potential to lead onto a Graduate position

Starting date: September 2026

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

What will you be responsible for?

As an Industrial Placement Design Manager you\'ll be working within the Construction team you will assist in coordinating and managing the design aspects of construction projects from inception to completion. Ensuring structural drawings and designs are produced on time and easy to decipher. Overseeing the design process using technical expertise.

What 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.

How does an Industrial Placement work?

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 has been designed to immerse yourself in the world of construction, you\'ll get to see your learnings in real world situations and gain practical experiences to support the rest of your degree.

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.
• Career insight: gain insights into your chosen industry and potential career paths.
• Employment opportunities: increase your chances of securing a further placement, or graduate opportunity, at Kier or elsewhere.

What are we looking for?

We\'re on the lookout for students undertaking 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 your placement, you\'ll be returning to university with a graduation year of 2027.

The role of Industrial Placement Design Manager is great for you if

• 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).
• Hold a full driving licence

Rewards and benefits

We are proud to be able to offer our brilliant people a variety of flexible benefits that you can tailor to your needs. You can see more information of benefits here.

Diversity and inclusion

Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a high 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.

Recruitment timeline

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