Freelance Design Manager – High End Commercial Fit Out
Soho, London
£300 - £350 per day
Start Date: Monday 13th July 2026
Minimum 6 month Contract
We are seeking an experienced Freelance Design Manager to join a leading main contractor delivering a prestigious £60m high-end commercial fit-out project in Central London.
Reporting to the Senior Design Manager, you will take ownership of managing the contractor design process during the construction phase, ensuring information is released in line with programme requirements and supporting the successful delivery of site activities.
Key Responsibilities
Managing the flow of design information between consultants, subcontractors and the site team.
Ensuring design information is issued in line with the construction programme and procurement schedule.
Coordinating specialist subcontractor design packages and monitoring deliverables.
Reviewing design proposals and value engineering options with the project delivery team.
Liaising closely with Site Managers and the construction team to resolve design and buildability issues.
Managing RFIs, technical queries and design changes through to approval.
Coordinating statutory authority approvals and third-party approvals where required.
Chairing design coordination meetings and maintaining design trackers and action schedules.
Ensuring design information is fully coordinated prior to installation on site.
Supporting procurement and package management teams to ensure programme milestones are achieved.
Requirements
5-10 years' experience working as a Design Manager for a main contractor or specialist fit-out contractor.
Proven experience delivering commercial fit-out, CAT A/CAT B, hospitality or high-end interiors projects.
Strong understanding of construction sequencing, procurement and package management.
Experience managing subcontractor design packages during live construction projects.
Able to interpret construction drawings and identify coordination issues before they impact programme.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Proactive, organised and delivery-focused approach.
Please note this position is suited to contractor-side Design Managers with live project delivery experience and is not suitable for architectural or consultancy-only backgrounds.
For a confidential discussion, please apply today
