Design Manager jobs in United Kingdom

Rate: £300 per day (Outside IR35)

Contract: 12 months

Location: Derbyshire Head Office with travel to Ashington (North East) once per week

Start: Immediate

A well‑established UK main contractor with a strong track record in education, commercial and public‑sector construction is recruiting a Freelance Design Manager to support a major further education redevelopment project. The business is recognised for its financial stability, collaborative working environment and consistent delivery of multi‑building campus schemes across the country.

This role is primarily based at the contractor’s Derbyshire head office, with travel to the project site in Ashington once per week. The successful candidate will be instrumental in driving consultant deliverables, coordinating specialist design packages and managing site‑driven design queries throughout the delivery phase.

Freelance Design Manager providing day‑to‑day technical and design coordination support.

Office‑based role with weekly site attendance required.

Working on a multi‑building vocational college redevelopment including workshop, teaching and commons blocks.

• Managing consultants and design subcontractors to ensure timely information release.
• Leading design meetings, progressing actions and supporting the delivery team.
• Addressing site queries, RFIs, interface issues and buildability challenges.
• Maintaining and managing the design release programme.

• Demonstrable experience as a Design Manager on live construction projects.
• Experience in education, schools or multi‑building schemes preferred.
• Strong coordination capability across architectural, structural, civil and MEP disciplines.
• Confident in managing consultant outputs and specialist design subcontractors.
• Strong technical understanding with the ability to resolve site‑generated design issues.
• Ability to manage design programmes and meet delivery deadlines.
• Able to work from the Derbyshire office with weekly travel to the North East.
• Available for an immediate or short‑notice start.

• £300 per day outside IR35.
• 12-month contract through to project completion.
• Head office role with structured weekly site involvement.
• Opportunity to support a major FE redevelopment with a respected national contractor.
• If you are an experienced Design Manager seeking a long‑term freelance opportunity with a blend of office and site involvement, please get in touch or send your CV for immediate consideration.