Senior Design Manager

GVR Solutions Ltd; Sevenoaks; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

GVR Solutions Ltd in Kent is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to lead and advance our carpentry and joinery design discipline. You will oversee design development from concept through manufacture and installation, coordinating with architects, engineers, and suppliers to ensure on-time delivery.

The role requires a strong background in design management, BIM and CAD, and knowledge of building regulations and sustainability requirements.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and develop team members effectively.
• Customer-focused approach with behaviours that promote excellent service.
• Proven experience in construction project design and design management across multiple project stages.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials, regulations, and best practice.
• Proficient in design software and BIM platforms.
• Excellent project management, leadership, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop design processes and procedures across projects.
• Manage Design Managers and resources to ensure effective delivery.
• Oversee workloads and ownership distribution within the design team.
• Resolve technical design issues with architects, engineers and supply chain.
• Develop and produce design drawings and construction documents.
• Ensure compliance with building regulations and sustainability requirements.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and Main Contractors to align design with objectives.
• Manage design schedules and milestone delivery across projects.
• Maintain design requirements across all projects and ensure timely delivery.
• Attend client design meetings and provide updates to senior leadership.
• Collaborate with suppliers to meet standards, requirements and deadlines.
• Attend tender interviews and meetings.

Skills

Design leadership

Project management

Team development

BIM platforms

CAD management

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Architectural knowledge

Construction knowledge

Tools

BIM systems

CAD (AutoCAD)

Revit

Job description

Senior Design Manager required in Kent

GVR Solutions are working with a specialist carpentry and joinery fit-out contractor based in Kent, delivering high-quality bespoke joinery and carpentry packages across a range of commercial and fit-out projects.

Due to continued growth, they are looking to appoint an experienced Senior Design Manager with a strong technical background in carpentry and joinery, particularly in the design, manufacture and installation of doors and associated joinery packages.

This is an excellent opportunity for a technically strong design professional who understands the full process from initial design development through to manufacture, coordination and on-site installation.

Responsibilities of the Senior Design Manager:

• Lead and develop consistent processes and procedures for design.
• Lead and manage the Design Managers and design resources to ensure effective delivery across our projects.
• Retain responsibility for overseeing allocated projects, working collaboratively with the Design Managers to ensure workloads, accountability and ownership are appropriately distributed across the team.
• Lead the resolution of technical design issues, working with project design teams including architects, engineers and the supply chain.
• Develop and produce design drawings, specifications and related construction documents.
• Ensure compliance with building regulations, standards, safety requirements and sustainability requirements.
• Lead and coordinate with Project Managers and Main Contractors to align design with project requirements and objectives.
• Manage design schedules, track progress and ensure the timely delivery of design milestones and key deliverables.
• Maintain overall design requirements across all projects and ensure design obligations are effectively managed and delivered.
• Attend client design meetings.
• Provide regular updates to the Operations and Commercial Directors, highlighting progress, risks, responsibilities and key deliverables.
• Provide specialist and expert design advice to teams internally and clients externally.
• Work closely with suppliers and supply chain partners to manage design requirements and ensure deliverables meet agreed standards, requirements and deadlines.
• Attend tender interviews and meetings.

The Senior Design Manager must have/be:

• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and develop team members effectively.
• Customer-focused approach with behaviours that promote excellent service and represent the organisation positively at every opportunity.
• Proven experience in construction project design and design management across multiple project stages.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials, building regulations, and industry best practice.
• Proficient in the use of design software and Building Information Modelling (BIM) platforms.
• Excellent project management, leadership, organisational, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams and resolve design and project-related conflicts.
• Experienced in developing, coordinating, and maintaining comprehensive door schedules across a range of sectors.
• Construction design coordination and multidisciplinary design management.
• Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) management.
• Strong understanding of architectural, structural, and construction design principles.
• Knowledge of building regulations, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and industry standards.
• Team leadership, mentoring, and performance development.