Industrial Placement - Design Manager

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

Job summary

A leading construction firm in the UK is seeking a Construction Design student for an Industrial placement in Witham. The position offers hands-on experience in coordinating design aspects of construction projects. Ideal candidates will be pursuing a degree in a related field and are expected to return to university after the placement. The starting salary is £26,208 per annum, with a pathway to a graduate position.

Benefits

Practical experience

Skill improvement

Networking opportunities

Career insights

Potential employment opportunities

Responsibilities

• Assist in coordinating and managing the design aspects of construction projects.
• Collaborate with architects and engineers to meet design specifications.
• Analyze project drawings for accuracy and compliance.
• Support development of design solutions aligning with project objectives.

Skills

Strong interest in construction design management

Excellent organisational skills

Analytical abilities

Effective communication

Proficiency in design software

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 Witham, for an Industrial placement.

Location: Witham, with flexibility to travel across the region. Starting Salary: £26,208 per annum. Pathway: 12 months - 40 hrs 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.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a leading construction and infrastructure services company on our placement programme. These programmes are designed to provide you with experiences and tools needed for progression within your chosen career.

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 work within the Construction team to assist in coordinating and managing the design aspects of construction projects from inception to completion. You will ensure structural drawings and designs are produced on time and are easy to decipher, and you will oversee the design process with technical expertise.

Day to day responsibilities

• 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, providing real-world experiences to support your degree.

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

What we are looking for

We are seeking students pursuing a degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering or a related field who have the option or requirement to complete a placement year from 2025–2026. After your 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 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 variety of flexible benefits that you can tailor to your needs. See our benefits information for details.

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 made a huge impact on how we work. 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 meeting the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview.

We look forward to seeing your application to #joinkier.

Recruitment timeline

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