Senior Design Manager

JC Virtual PM; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote working

Flexible hours

Professional membership fees covered

Job summary

JC Virtual PMs is seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead design on complex, multi-disciplinary commissions. You will own the design programme, drive coordination, and mentor a growing team of Design Managers and Assistants across UK and international projects.

The role emphasizes leadership, regulatory compliance, BIM and ISO 19650-aligned information management, with remote-first working and a clear path to Associate Design Manager.

Qualifications

• Around 8 years' design management experience in consultancy, contractor or client-side roles.
• Deep knowledge of the RIBA Plan of Work, Building Regulations and CDM 2015.
• Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary design teams on complex projects.
• Experience of design and build and traditional procurement.
• Right to work in the country where you will be based.

Responsibilities

• Lead design management across RIBA Stages 1–5 on multiple concurrent projects.
• Own the design programme, Design Responsibility Matrices and Information Required Schedules.
• Chair design reviews and coordination workshops, and resolve design conflicts.
• Review deliverables against Employer's Requirements, Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act 2022 where applicable.
• Manage design risk, change and value engineering with the project manager and cost consultant.
• Oversee BIM and information processes on your projects in line with ISO 19650.
• Mentor and quality-check the work of Design Managers and Assistant Design Managers.

Skills

Design management

Leadership

Multi-disciplinary teams

RIBA Plan of Work knowledge

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Education

Degree in Architecture or related field

Professional membership (RIBA/CIOB/RICS/APM) or working toward

Tools

BIM workflows

ISO 19650

Microsoft 365 / collaboration tools

Job description

Lead design management on complex, multi-disciplinary projects and mentor our design managers.

About JC Virtual PMs

JC Virtual PMs (JC.VPMS LTD) is a UK-based virtual consultancy delivering project management, design management, BIM, information management and document control. We work with SMEs and other clients across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, bringing joined-up project, design and information management to projects that need more than a freelancer but less than a large consultancy. We are remote-first and growing.

About the role

You will lead design management on our larger and more complex commissions, owning the design programme and making sure the design team delivers a coordinated, compliant and buildable information set. You will report to the Associate Design Manager, mentor Design Managers and Assistant Design Managers, and act as a senior point of contact for clients on design matters.

The step up from Design Manager is complexity and leadership: wider stage coverage (RIBA Stages 1–5), higher-risk compliance, and checking other people's work.

Key responsibilities

• Lead design management across RIBA Stages 1–5 on multiple concurrent projects
• Own the design programme, Design Responsibility Matrices and Information Required Schedules
• Chair design reviews and coordination workshops, and resolve design conflicts
• Review deliverables against Employer's Requirements, Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act 2022 where applicable
• Manage design risk, change and value engineering with the project manager and cost consultant
• Oversee BIM and information processes on your projects in line with ISO 19650
• Mentor and quality-check the work of Design Managers and Assistant Design Managers

What we're looking for

Essential

• Around 8 years' design management experience in consultancy, contractor or client-side roles
• Deep knowledge of the RIBA Plan of Work, Building Regulations and CDM 2015
• Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary design teams on complex projects
• Experience of design and build and traditional procurement
• Right to work in the country where you will be based

Desirable

• Awareness of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the golden thread
• Strong working knowledge of BIM workflows and ISO 19650
• Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or similar, or equivalent experience
• Professional membership (RIBA, CIOB, RICS, APM or equivalent), chartered or working towards

How we work

• Remote-first: you work from your home base, with occasional client meetings or site visits when a project needs them.
• Our clients and teams span the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, so we agree working hours that overlap with each project's time zones.
• We work in Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint and Outlook) and our own project controls and HR platforms for timesheets, reporting, leave and expenses.
• This role is open as an associate on a day rate or on an employed basis, full-time or part-time. Tell us which suits you.
• We resource against confirmed client commissions, so start dates follow project mobilisation. We will be open about timing from our first conversation.

What we offer

• Remote, flexible working, full-time or part-time
• Competitive salary or associate day rate, benchmarked to your location and experience. We will discuss pay with you before your interview
• Professional membership fees covered for employed team members
• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of UK and international projects
• A clear career path, with Associate Design Manager as your next step
• A supportive, collaborative team with a focus on professional growth
• The chance to help shape and grow a forward-thinking virtual consultancy

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If you need any adjustments to apply or interview, just tell us. We do not ask about your pay history.