Design Manager

Design Manager

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
A.D.S Construction Personnel Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative design projects and manage the full design process from start to finish.
  • Company: Join a top-tier construction firm known for its people-first culture and strong values.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a supportive environment, career growth, and a focus on employee wellbeing.
  • Other info: This role offers long-term career development opportunities within a respected Tier 1 contractor.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in education, healthcare, and public sector projects while collaborating with a dynamic team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in construction design management and a collaborative mindset are essential.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

A leading Tier 1 construction business is seeking an experienced and motivated Design Manager to join its London and Home Counties team. This is an office-based role in Welwyn Garden City, with flexibility for occasional remote working. You will be part of a respected, people-first organisation known for its strong values, collaborative culture and commitment to delivering high-quality projects across education, leisure, healthcare and public sector frameworks.

This employer is recognised for its exceptional investment in staff development and wellbeing, offering a safe, inclusive and rewarding working environment. Employees benefit from a culture built on trust, teamwork and shared success, with long-standing relationships across clients and supply chain partners. With a strong forward order book, high levels of repeat business and a team-driven ethos, it is an excellent place to build a long-term career.

About the Role

You will manage the full design process across both bids and live projects, ensuring the delivery of coordinated, compliant and innovative design solutions. Working closely with internal teams, consultants and stakeholders, you will be responsible for establishing and maintaining effective design resources and design strategies throughout all key stages. This includes leading the design service at both bid and delivery stages, coordinating the RIBA design process, challenging briefs to enhance value, and ensuring that design outputs fully align with customer requirements, legislation, standards and cost parameters.

You will coordinate activities between design consultants, statutory authorities such as planning and building control teams, subcontractors and internal project teams in line with programme requirements. You will maintain design compliance, manage change control processes and ensure that all design procedures are followed from inception to completion.

Key Responsibilities

  • Establish and manage design resources for bids and live schemes
  • Lead the design approach and strategy for new projects
  • Deliver a professional and comprehensive design service to clients and key partners
  • Manage the design process through the full RIBA stages
  • Ensure design compliance with building regulations, standards and project specifications
  • Coordinate design consultants, subcontractors and statutory bodies
  • Challenge briefs and drive innovation and continuous improvement
  • Maintain design within cost, programme and customer requirements
  • Manage change control processes in collaboration with project managers and clients
  • Ensure departmental design procedures are completed at bid and delivery stages
  • Develop scopes of service and ensure adherence to design briefs

What You Will Bring

  • Significant experience in the main contracting environment
  • Experience delivering education, healthcare or leisure schemes between 10m and 40m
  • Strong understanding of construction techniques and design management principles
  • Experience in pre-construction, PSCA frameworks, BIM, 3D modelling and digital construction
  • Relevant qualifications such as BSc, HND or HNC and ideally membership of a professional body
  • Ability to provide a professional, comprehensive and sustainable design service
  • Experience working with internal teams, clients, consultants and statutory authorities
  • A collaborative mindset and the ability to work within a supportive, inclusive and ambitious team environment

What You Can Expect

  • A dynamic and supportive working culture with an emphasis on teamwork and integrity
  • A business that genuinely values its people and promotes from within
  • A stable and growing workload across core sectors including education, healthcare, civic buildings and public sector frameworks
  • A positive, fun and fast-paced environment where no two days are the same
  • A team-focused culture where you are encouraged, challenged and trusted to deliver your best work
  • Long-term career development opportunities within a respected Tier 1 contractor

This role offers the chance to join a high-performing regional team that takes pride in delivering projects the right way. If you thrive in a collaborative environment, enjoy contributing to meaningful projects and want to be part of a company that truly invests in its people, this position offers an exceptional opportunity.

Design Manager employer: A.D.S Construction Personnel Ltd

Join a leading Tier 1 construction business in Welwyn Garden City, where you will be part of a people-first organisation that prioritises employee wellbeing and development. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, this role offers a dynamic work culture and long-term career growth opportunities across diverse sectors such as education, healthcare, and public frameworks. Experience a rewarding environment that values trust, innovation, and shared success, making it an excellent place to build your career as a Design Manager.

A.D.S Construction Personnel Ltd

Contact Details:

A.D.S Construction Personnel Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Manager

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Design Manager role.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Since this role is all about collaboration and teamwork, we suggest you come armed with examples of how you've thrived in similar environments. Show them you’re a perfect fit!

Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows you’re genuinely interested in the position.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to submit your application directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our people-first organisation. Let’s get you on board!

We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager

Design Management
RIBA Design Process
Construction Techniques
BIM
3D Modelling
Digital Construction
Change Control Processes

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Design Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing design processes, especially in education, healthcare, or leisure projects. We want to see how your skills align with our values and the specific requirements of the job.

Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit:Since we value teamwork, emphasise your ability to work with internal teams, clients, and consultants. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated on past projects. This will help us see how you fit into our supportive and inclusive culture.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details directly and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at A.D.S Construction Personnel Ltd

Know Your Design Process

Make sure you’re well-versed in the RIBA design stages and can discuss how you've managed design processes in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve coordinated with consultants and stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions.

Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit

This role thrives on teamwork, so highlight your experience working within diverse teams. Prepare anecdotes that demonstrate your ability to foster collaboration and maintain strong relationships with clients and subcontractors.

Understand the Company Culture

Research the company’s values and culture before the interview. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially around trust, teamwork, and commitment to high-quality projects.

Prepare for Change Control Questions

Since managing change control processes is key in this role, think about times when you’ve successfully navigated changes in project scope or design. Be ready to explain your approach and how you ensured compliance with regulations and standards.