Design Manager

Design Manager

Location: Manchester

The Opportunity

We are currently working with a leading North West Contractor who are seeking an experienced Design Manager to support the delivery of a £30 million, 12-storey residential apartment scheme in Manchester.

This is a high-profile, urban residential development requiring a Design Manager with strong technical knowledge, excellent coordination skills, and proven experience managing the design process on multi-storey residential projects from pre-construction through to completion.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring design information is coordinated, compliant, and issued in line with the construction programme, working closely with the Project Manager, site teams, consultants, and subcontractors.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the design process from pre-construction through delivery
• Coordinating consultants, architects, engineers, and specialist designers
• Ensuring design information is fully coordinated, buildable, and issued on time
• Managing design risk, change control, and design queries (RFIs)
• Reviewing drawings and specifications for compliance with employer\’s requirements
• Supporting value engineering and buildability reviews
• Ensuring compliance with building regulations, planning conditions, and fire strategy
• Maintaining the design programme aligned with the construction programme
• Attending design team meetings and reporting progress to senior stakeholders
• Supporting technical approvals, warranties, and handover documentation

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience as a Design Manager on multi-storey residential or mixed-use projects
• Strong understanding of the design and construction process within a main contractor environment
• Experience coordinating complex design packages and specialist subcontractors
• Sound knowledge of building regulations, fire safety, and technical compliance
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills
• Relevant construction or design-related qualification (Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or similar)
• Professional accreditation (MCIOB, RIBA, CIOB, ICE or similar) desirable

What\’s on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunity to work on a flagship Manchester residential development
• Long-term project pipeline with a growing and reputable contractor
• Collaborative and supportive working environment