Design Manager in Luton

£60,000 - £75,000 + Car Allowance

Full Time | Office / Site Based | 37.5 hours per week within a 7.30am - 5.30pm working window (Teams typically work 8.30am - 5.00pm, with site operatives starting and finishing earlier)

Benefits:

• Car allowance
• On-site parking
• All PPE provided
• 33 days holiday including bank holidays
• Contributory pension
• Non-contributory life cover
• Continued professional development through structured learning programmes

About the Client:

Our client is a long-established, family-owned construction business with over 150 years of history, delivering high-quality projects across commercial, education, industrial, heritage, blue light and leisure sectors. They operate across the Home Counties, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire and North London, delivering projects through two divisions: Small Works & Frameworks (up to £1m) and Main Contracts (up to £15m). They are now seeking a Design Manager to join their Main Contracts division, delivering projects up to £15m across their operating region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the design process from tender/pre-construction through to completion and handover
• Coordinate external design consultants (architects, structural/M&E engineers and specialists) and internal project teams
• Review and manage technical submittals, RFIs, drawing registers and design information release schedules
• Ensure compliance with Building Regulations, warranty provider requirements, CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act (including Gateway processes and golden thread requirements for higher-risk buildings)
• Identify and resolve design risks, buildability issues and value engineering opportunities with project and commercial teams
• Develop and manage the design programme, ensuring alignment with the construction programme
• Chair and attend design team meetings, producing minutes and tracking actions
• Support bid/estimating teams during tender stage, including review of Employers Requirements and development of Contractors Proposals
• Manage change control of design information throughout the project
• Liaise closely with clients, architects, engineers and subcontractors to ensure design intent is understood and delivered on site

Skills & Experience:

• Strong technical knowledge across a range of construction methods and building types
• Working knowledge of NEC3/4 and JCT forms of contract
• Experience managing design on main contracts projects up to £15m
• Knowledge of CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act
• Confident managing multiple consultants and stakeholders
• Familiarity with BIM/Revit-based coordination (desirable)
• Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills

Qualifications & Requirements:

• In-date CSCS card supported by a recognised qualification (NVQ, HNC/HND, degree or equivalent)
• HNC/HND or degree in Architecture, Building Surveying, Construction Management or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• SMSTS (desirable)
• Minimum 5 years design management experience with a main contractor

Security, Vetting & Right to Work:

• Must have full right to work in the UK
• Must have been continuously resident in the UK for the past 5 years to meet client vetting requirements
• Must be willing to undertake DBS, BPSS or client-led security checks where required
• Must be willing to discuss any matters relevant to vetting as part of the process
• Must be able to maintain the vetting standards required for regulated sites

Salary & Package:

£60,000 - £75,000 depending on experience

Car allowance