Technical Design Manager- Residential developer

Bimplus; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Deverell Smith Ltd is recruiting an experienced Architectural Technician/Design Manager for a London-based residential development client. You will lead technical delivery, coordinating drawing packages and BIM workflows across external design teams, consultants, and construction delivery to ensure buildable, compliant solutions aligned with programme and commercial needs.

The role is office-based five days per week with regular site attendance, reporting directly to the Development Director.

Qualifications

• Degree, diploma, HNC/HND in Architectural Technology or related field.
• CIAT membership is advantageous but not essential.
• Demonstrated right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Review, prepare, and coordinate drawing packages across tender, construction, and as-built stages.
• Coordinate design information among architectural, structural, MEP, fire, and façade teams to prevent clashes.
• Assist in planning submissions, accessibility, and Building Regulations compliance.
• Liaise with contractors, consultants, and authorities to monitor progress and resolve issues.
• Support feasibility studies, massing, and development appraisal activities.
• Prepare handover documentation and maintain document control.

Skills

AutoCAD

Revit

BIM coordination

Residential design

Education

Degree in Architectural Technology

Tools

BIM platforms

Job description

Deverell Smith Ltd

Architectural Technician/Design Manager
London, UK * Full-Time, Permanent
BTR / Residential Development * Client-Side * RIBA Stages 3-5

The Opportunity

Our client is a London-based real estate developer and investor with an active pipeline of residential-led schemes, including Build-to-Rent, office-to-hotel conversions, and emerging pipeline projects. They are seeking an experienced Technician / Architectural Technologist to take on a central technical delivery role within their growing in-house development team. This is a hands-on, client-side position working directly with the Development Director. You will act as the key interface between the external design team, consultants, and construction delivery – ensuring design information is coordinated, buildable, compliant, and aligned with programme and commercial requirements.

At a Glance

• Client-side role reporting directly to the Development Director
• Lead technical coordination across BTR and mixed-use residential schemes
• RIBA Stages 3-5 through to construction, handover, and close-out
• Involvement in early-stage feasibility, massing studies, and development appraisal
• Office-based, 5 days per week, with regular site attendance
• Competitive salary based on experience

Key Responsibilities

Technical Design & Coordination

• Review, prepare, and coordinate architectural drawing packages, technical details, schedules, and specifications across tender, construction, and as-built stages
• Translate concept and planning-stage information into coordinated, construction-ready packages
• Manage and review consultant information across architectural, structural, MEP, fire, façade, interior, and landscape workstreams to ensure integration and eliminate clashes
• Coordinate design information in line with the project brief, planning conditions, Building Regulations, warranty requirements, and employer standards
• Identify and resolve coordination conflicts between architectural, structural, and MEP information using BIM workflows and drawing coordination processes

Planning & Statutory Compliance

• Assist in discharging planning conditions and ensuring technical submissions remain aligned with approved consents
• Review accessibility, space planning, and apartment layouts against UK residential standards, including London Plan, NDSS, and M4 requirements where applicable
• Contribute to design risk reviews and support CDM compliance at design stage

Construction & Site

• Liaise with contractors, subcontractors, statutory authorities, approved inspectors, and utility providers throughout delivery
• Conduct site inspections, monitor construction progress against drawings and specifications, and identify non-conformances and coordination gaps
• Respond to RFIs and technical queries in a timely, commercially aware manner
• Support quality assurance processes, including benchmark reviews, sample apartments, façade interfaces, and finishing standards

Early-Stage & Feasibility

• Prepare and coordinate feasibility layouts, massing studies, and technical assessments to support acquisition, planning, and development appraisal activities
• Assess site constraints, efficiency metrics, unit mix, circulation, servicing, and buildability at concept stage

Handover & Closeout

• Support handover documentation, O&M information coordination, snagging close-out, and production of as-built records
• Maintain document control standards, revision management, drawing registers, and audit trails across all technical information

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 4-8+ years in a technical delivery role on UK residential projects
• Strong track record coordinating external architects and consultant teams during technical design and construction phases
• Proven experience on medium to large-scale residential developments - apartment-led or mixed-use schemes in London or major UK urban locations
• Prior experience on BTR, private sale residential, student accommodation, or high-density housing schemes is highly advantageous
• Solid grounding in RIBA Stages 3-5 from developed design through to practical completion
• Experience preparing residential feasibility studies, test fits, and massing exercises

Skills & Knowledge

• Proficiency in AutoCAD is essential; Revit and BIM-based coordination experience is strongly preferred
• Sound knowledge of UK Building Regulations and technical standards relevant to residential design
• Good understanding of planning compliance, statutory approvals, and technical submission processes
• Practical understanding of construction sequencing, site logistics, and buildability
• Strong space planning and residential layout capability
• Commercial awareness – able to balance design quality, compliance, cost, and programme
• Excellent organisational skills, document control discipline, and attention to detail
• Competence in Microsoft Office and common document management platforms

Qualifications

• Degree, diploma, HNC/HND, or equivalent in Architectural Technology, Architecture, Building Studies, or a related built environment discipline
• Demonstrated right to work in the UK
• CIAT membership (ACIAT or MCIAT) is advantageous but not essential

Personal Attributes

• Detail-oriented and technically rigorous, with a solutions-led mindset
• Delivery-focused and comfortable in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial development environment
• Confident challenging inconsistencies and driving coordinated outcomes
• Collaborative and professional in dealings with consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders