Summer Placement - Design Manager

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

Job summary

A leading UK national contractor is seeking a Construction Design student for a Summer placement in Cambridge. This role offers valuable hands-on experience and professional skill development over 8 weeks. Candidates studying Quantity Surveying or Construction Management with a strong interest in design management are encouraged to apply. The placement starts in September 2026 and provides a chance to work within a supportive and diverse environment.

Benefits

26 days annual leave

24/7 Wellbeing Support Programme

Networking opportunities

Qualifications

• Must be a student returning to university after the placement.
• Strong interest in construction design management.
• Excellent time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the coordination and management of design processes.
• Collaborate with architects and engineers.
• Review project drawings and specifications.

Skills

Organisational skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Proficiency in design software

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or Construction Management

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Overview

We're looking for a Construction Design student to join our Construction team based in Cambridge, for a Summer placement.

Within this role you can enjoy 26 days annual leave, 24/7 Wellbeing Support Programme, and even more. The position is part of Kier's construction and infrastructure services, delivering projects across public and private sectors.

Location: Cambridge, with flexibility to travel across the region

Starting Salary: £26,208 per annum

Pathway: 8 weeks - 40hrs per week

Starting date: September 2026

We are unable to offer certificates of sponsorship to any candidates in this role.

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.

Responsibilities

What will you be responsible for?

As a Summer Placement Design Manager, you'll be working within the Construction team and will 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 using technical expertise.

Day-to-day activities

• 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 does a Summer Placement work?

Kier is committed to encouraging talent and providing opportunities for growth and development. When you join, you will be enrolled onto our summer placement scheme. The programme will take 8 weeks to complete and has been designed to immerse yourself in the world of construction, you\'ll get to see your learnings in real world situations and gain practical experiences to support the rest of your degree.

Benefits for you

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

What are we looking for?

We\'re on the lookout for students undertaking a degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related field, who can join us on an 8-week placement across July - August. You must be returning to university upon completion of your placement.

Requirements and role fit

• The role of Industrial Placement Design Manager is great for you if:
• 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 both 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 are proud to be able to offer our brilliant people a variety of flexible benefits that you can tailor to your needs. You can see more information of benefits here.

Diversity and inclusion

Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a high priority for us. Our employees are key in shaping Kier\'s diversity and inclusion initiatives, and our people have made a huge impact on how we work, by using their experiences to shape our policies. We invite you to see our D&I action plan here.

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview.

We look forward to seeing your application to join Kier.

Recruitment timeline

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