Summer Placement - Design Manager

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

Job summary

A leading national contractor is seeking a Construction Design student for a Summer placement based in Cambridge. The role involves coordinating design aspects of construction projects and requires applicants pursuing a relevant degree. An 8-week placement allows for practical experience, skill development, and networking opportunities within the construction industry.

Benefits

26 days annual leave

24/7 Wellbeing Support Programme

Practical experience in the field

Opportunities for skill improvement

Networking opportunities

Career insights and potential employment opportunities

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in a relevant field with plans to return to university after placement.
• Strong interest in construction design management and project coordination.

Responsibilities

• Assist in coordinating and managing design aspects of construction projects.
• Collaborate with architects and engineers to meet design specifications.
• Review project drawings for accuracy and compliance.

Skills

Interest in construction design management

Organisational and time-management skills

Analytical and problem-solving abilities

Communication and interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Proficiency in design software (AutoCAD, Revit)

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

Job 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 https://jobs.kier.co.uk/benefits/

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.

Construction comprises our Regional Building, Strategic Projects, Kier Places and we operate across all regions – London & Southern, Western & Wales, Eastern & Midlands and North & Scotland https://www.kier.co.uk/who-we-are/our-business-divisions/

Placement Details

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.

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. Ensuring structural drawings and designs are produced on time and easy to decipher. Overseeing the design process using technical expertise.

Day‑to‑day duties?

• 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.

Placement Programme

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 you in the world of construction – you will 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.

Ideal candidate profile

• 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).

Diversity and inclusion

Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a high priority for us. We're proud of the steps we've taken so far, but we know we must always do more. Our employees shape our diversity and inclusion initiatives and have made a huge impact on how we work. 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.

Recruitment timeline

• October 2025 – Initial applications
• November 2025 – Application reviews
• January 2026 onwards – Interviews