At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design management for exciting building projects and ensure timely delivery.
- Company: A progressive contractor with a focus on people and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, hybrid working, and extensive training opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of construction while working on high-value, impactful projects.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in design/project management; façade experience is a plus.
- Other info: Join a stable company with strong growth and a supportive culture.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 85000 £ per year.
A progressive and people-focused principal contractor is looking to appoint a Design Manager to join its expanding design team, supporting the delivery of major façade remediation and complex building envelope schemes. With confirmed work secured into 2028, this is an opportunity to join a stable, cash-rich business that continues to invest in its people, its technology, and the future of safer, better-built environments.
Based out of their head office in the Portsmouth area, projects are delivered nationwide. This new position has been created due to increased workload, offering a unique opportunity to shape and influence design management within the business. Projects range in value up to £22 million and include complex schemes across residential towers, stadiums, commercial buildings, and public sector assets. The company has built strong, long-term partnerships with blue-chip clients and is widely recognised for technical delivery on challenging and sensitive sites.
Now targeting further growth, the company is scaling with purpose, aiming to exceed £50 million turnover this year. Backed by a listed parent group with significant financial strength, they operate with a modern, entrepreneurial approach while maintaining strong family values and a culture of trust and development.
Design Manager Salary & Benefits
- Salary: £60,000 - £85,000 (DOE)
- 25-30 days holiday + Bank Holiday
- Pension Scheme
- Project Bonus Scheme
- Company Bonus Scheme
- 4 Years Death in Service Cover
- Critical Illness Cover
- Hybrid working available (mainly office-based with occasional site visits)
- Team Social Events
- Company events and supportive social environment
- Comprehensive in-house and external Training and Development
- Access to Udemy and training courses
- Charity Fundraising Days
- Office facilities including stocked kitchen and shower
Design Manager Job Overview
- Manage and coordinate design deliverables across complex envelope remediation and construction schemes.
- Ensure all design milestones are achieved and programmes continuously updated.
- Oversee and drive performance of external design houses, consultants, and internal design/technical teams.
- Provide programme and milestone control using Microsoft Project.
Design Manager Requirements
- Minimum 5 years' experience in design and/or project management within the building envelope or wider construction industry.
- Strong background in design management; façade remediation experience desirable.
- Technical proficiency with Microsoft Project; Primavera advantageous.
- Ability to manage workflows, external consultants, and multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong commercial awareness in relation to design deliverables.
- Confident communicator, able to build and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships.
- Candidates from an architectural background (e.g., Architectural Technologist) with progression into project management will also be considered.
What makes this opportunity different?
- Forward workload confirmed into 2028
- Secure financial backing with strong reserves
- Low staff turnover and clear paths for progression
- Structured mentoring and access to coaching
- Real stories of team members doubling their earnings in under three years
- Weekly culture feedback that informs senior management decisions
- Training support, flexible working, and long-term incentives including shares
Design Manager in England employer: Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD
Contact Detail:
Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager in England
✨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
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best design management projects. We want to see how you've tackled complex schemes and delivered results. A strong visual representation of your work can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview like it’s the final project deadline! Research the company’s recent projects and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to hear how you can contribute to their vision of safer, better-built environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. We’re all about making the process smooth and straightforward, so take advantage of it and get your foot in the door!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Design Manager role. Highlight your experience in design management and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving façade remediation or complex building envelopes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your passion for design management and how you can contribute to the company's goals of delivering safer, better-built environments.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your technical proficiency with tools like Microsoft Project. If you have experience with Primavera, make sure to include that too! This will show us that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD
✨Know Your Design Management Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your design management principles, especially around façade remediation and building envelope schemes. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've managed complex designs, as this will show your expertise and confidence in the field.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Design Manager, you'll need to build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with multi-disciplinary teams and external consultants in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and collaborate.
✨Get Familiar with Microsoft Project
Since technical proficiency with Microsoft Project is a requirement, make sure you're comfortable discussing how you've used it to manage workflows and track milestones. Bring specific examples of how you've kept projects on schedule using this tool.
✨Emphasise Your Commercial Awareness
The company values strong commercial awareness in relation to design deliverables. Be prepared to talk about how you've balanced design quality with budget constraints in previous roles. This will show that you understand the business side of design management.