Senior Design Manager

Fawkes & Reece; South Oxfordshire; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established contractor in South Oxfordshire is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead design management on a £50 million residential project. You will coordinate with consultants and subcontractors, ensuring smooth processes and compliance while maintaining quality. The ideal candidate has a strong background in main contracting on projects valued at £30m-£60m and strong communication skills. This role offers a supportive culture and work-life balance.

Benefits

Supportive senior leadership

Work-life balance

Opportunity to work with experienced professionals

Qualifications

• Experienced Design Manager or established Senior Design Manager.
• Strong background in main contracting on projects valued at £30m-£60m.
• Detail-driven and commercially aware.

Responsibilities

• Lead design management from pre-construction to delivery.
• Coordinate consultants, architects, and subcontractors.
• Drive value engineering and ensure compliance while maintaining design quality.

Skills

Design management

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Job description

If you're looking to join a contractor where you'll feel valued, supported, and given the autonomy to deliver, this could be the perfect next step. Fawkes and Reece are working with a well-established main contractor that has built a strong reputation delivering projects across commercial, education, residential and public sector schemes. With a healthy pipeline of work and a collaborative culture, they are now looking for a Senior Design Manager to join their team.

This main contractor are delivering a £50million design and build Residential/Later living scheme in South Oxfordshire. Initially you will be office based in their London office during the pre-construction stage of the project. This project is due to commence on site pretty swiftly and will require a Senior Design Manager who is capable of delivering the project from it's inception through to completion in 2027.

What's in it for you?

• A contractor with a proven track record of repeat business and long-standing client relationships.
• A role where you'll lead design management across varied and interesting projects.
• Supportive senior leadership and a culture that values work-life balance.
• Opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals within the industry.

What you'll be doing:

• Taking the lead on design management from pre-construction through to delivery.
• Coordinating consultants, architects, and subcontractors to ensure smooth design processes.
• Driving value engineering, buildability, and compliance while maintaining design quality.
• Supporting junior team members and helping shape best practice within the business.

What we're looking for:

• Experienced Design Manager ready to step up, or an established Senior Design Manager.
• Strong background working for a main contractor on £30m-£60m projects.
• Confident communicator who can build strong relationships with clients and consultants.
• Detail-driven, commercially aware, and proactive in problem-solving.

If you want to hear more about this Senior Design Manager role, please apply with an up-to-date copy of your CV or contact Arri Kirby in our London office on [e-mail].