Main Contractor Design Manager

Cornerstone Project Source Ltd; St Albans; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm in St Albans is seeking an experienced Main Contractor Design Manager for a full-time permanent role. The role involves leading the design process across projects, ensuring alignment with requirements, and managing external consultants. The company offers a competitive salary of £55,000 to £70,000 per annum and additional benefits including up to 35 days of annual leave and private health insurance. Interested applicants should apply with their CV.

Benefits

Competitive salary depending on experience

Up to 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Competitive pension scheme via salary sacrifice

Private health insurance

Ongoing training and development opportunities

Long-term progression potential

Qualifications

• Proven experience working as a Design Manager within a main contractor environment.
• Strong understanding of the construction design process from pre-construction to delivery.
• Experience managing and coordinating external consultant teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and management of the design process from pre-construction through to project completion.
• Ensure the project design aligns with the agreed brief, budget, and programme.
• Appoint and manage external consultants, ensuring design information is produced to a high standard.
• Collaborate closely with the Senior or Lead Design Manager and wider project team.
• Coordinate and oversee multi-disciplinary consultant teams.
• Manage and monitor design review processes.
• Oversee the discharge of third-party approvals.
• Identify and manage design-related risks.

Skills

Proven experience working as a Design Manager

Strong understanding of the construction design process

Experience managing external consultant teams

Familiarity with digital document management systems

Confident communicator

Strong organisational skills

Ability to manage multiple workstreams

Tools

Aconex

Procore

Asite

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Main Contractor Design Manager to join a full-time, permanent role, predominantly office-based and will involve leading and coordinating the design process across projects from pre-construction through to completion, ensuring alignment with programme, budget, and technical requirements.

Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire

Salary: £55,000 to £70,000 per annum, depending on experience

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week (typically 08:30 to 17:30 with a 1-hour lunch break, flexibility available)

Start Date: ASAP

Working Arrangement: Office-based, with potential work-from-home options following successful integration

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and management of the design process from pre-construction through to project completion
• Ensure the project design aligns with the agreed brief, budget, and programme
• Appoint and manage external consultants, ensuring design information is produced to a high standard
• Collaborate closely with the Senior or Lead Design Manager and wider project team to deliver design milestones efficiently
• Coordinate and oversee multi-disciplinary consultant teams, including architects, structural engineers, fire engineers, façade consultants, M&E consultants, and relevant subcontractor design packages
• Manage and monitor design review processes, ensuring compliance with Building Regulations, planning requirements, and warranty conditions
• Oversee the discharge of third-party approvals, including planning conditions and building control requirements
• Manage design information and workflows using common data environments such as Aconex, Procore, or Asite
• Identify and manage design-related risks, proposing practical solutions as issues arise
• Maintain strong working relationships with clients, consultants, and key stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle
• Support construction teams by ensuring timely issue of accurate and buildable design information
• Attend design meetings and undertake occasional site visits where required

Requirements

• Proven experience working as a Design Manager within a main contractor environment
• Strong understanding of the construction design process from pre-construction to delivery
• Experience managing and coordinating external consultant teams
• Familiarity with digital document management systems
• Confident communicator with strong organisational and coordination skills
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and priorities simultaneously

What's Offered

• Competitive salary depending on experience
• Up to 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to up to 35 days with length of service
• Competitive pension scheme via salary sacrifice
• Private health insurance
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Permanent, full-time position with long-term progression potential

Interested applicants are invited to apply by sending their most up-to-date CV.