At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design management for exciting construction projects, ensuring compliance and quality.
- Company: Join Bowmer + Kirkland, a top family-run construction group with a strong commitment to staff.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private health insurance, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on safety, innovation, and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-value projects while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven design management experience and a degree in a construction-related field.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
Location: Heage with regular travel to Derbyshire & Woking
Salary: Competitive
Job Type: This is a full time, permanent role 40 hours over 5 days per week
About Bowmer + Kirkland: Since being established in 1923 Bowmer + Kirkland has grown to become one of the most successful privately-owned, and family run construction groups in the UK. Our Investors in People accreditation demonstrates our commitment to our staff and we are Scheme Partners of the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
We are now looking to strengthen our team with the appointment of an experienced Design Manager, ideally with experience of MOJ projects, to lead the coordination and delivery of design on our projects based at HMP Foston Hall and HMP Coldingley.
The Role: As Design Manager, you will be responsible for managing the design intent through detailed interrogation, coordination, and leadership of the design process across the full project lifecycle. This includes ensuring compliance with the Building Safety Act, CDM Regulations, statutory approvals, and B+K's internal governance. You will work collaboratively with clients, consultants, specialist subcontractors, and internal teams to ensure design excellence, programme certainty, and buildability while embedding health and safety and digital innovation throughout. You will play a key part in ensuring information flows smoothly between the B+K, subcontractors, consultants, and the client - contributing to the delivery of high-quality, well-coordinated projects.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the management of the design process across one or more projects
- Coordinate the full design team including consultants and design-and-build subcontractors
- Manage the design programme, RFIs, change control and document control processes
- Ensure designs are compliant with Building Regulations, planning conditions, CDM, and other statutory requirements
- Drive Safety in Design (SiD) and embed buildability and health & safety risk mitigation
- Oversee BIM coordination, clash detection reviews, and digital model audits
- Support tendering, value engineering and pre-construction activities
- Maintain a high level of technical and commercial awareness in all design decision-making
- Engage in client meetings and lead proactive design-based communication
- Participate in lessons learned and best practice forums to enhance our delivery model
- Mentor junior design team members and actively support CPD development
About you: The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional leadership, a robust understanding of delivering in a main contracting environment, and the ability to work collaboratively with key project stakeholders. A relentless focus on safe delivery, programme certainty, stakeholder engagement, and quality assurance are essential.
Key Skills & Experience required:
- Proven experience in a design management role, within a main contracting environment
- Ideally candidates will have experience working on MoJ schemes, although experience in other sectors such as commercial or education also accepted.
- Experience of high value projects is also necessary
- Strong technical design background with a degree (or equivalent) in a construction-related discipline
- Solid understanding of current regulations (Building Safety Act, CDM, Building Regs, etc.)
- Experience in coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing specialist subcontractors
- Skilled in BIM processes and using platforms such as Viewpoint 4P
- Proactive, organised, and a confident communicator
- Capable of managing a range of project types, tight deadlines, and complex design scopes
In return we offer:
- 25 days holiday per year, plus 8 bank holidays and Christmas Eve
- Entry into the Group Personal Pension Scheme
- Private Health Insurance (subject to a qualifying period)
- Eye care voucher scheme
- Training & Development Opportunities
Bowmer + Kirkland are an equal opportunities employer. We are a disability confident employer and actively encourage applicants who are covered under the equality act to apply. Please contact HR in advance of an interview to discuss any adjustments that are required in order to support you in the process.
If you're interested in the role and would like to put yourself forward, please hit APPLY and attach your CV and Cover Letter.
Design Manager in Derby employer: Bowmer And Kirkland Limited
Bowmer + Kirkland is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to staff development and well-being, as evidenced by our Investors in People accreditation. Located in Heage with opportunities for travel across Derbyshire and Woking, we foster a collaborative work culture that prioritises safety, innovation, and quality, while offering competitive benefits such as private health insurance, generous holiday allowances, and continuous training opportunities. Join us to be part of a family-run construction group that values your growth and contributions in delivering high-quality projects.
Contact Detail:
Bowmer And Kirkland Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager in Derby
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the construction industry, especially those who have worked on MOJ projects. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or attend industry events, bring along a portfolio showcasing your best design management work. Visuals speak volumes and can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a company you admire, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly with a friendly email expressing your interest in working with them. You never know, they might just create a role for you!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to submit your application directly. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Bowmer + Kirkland, which is always a bonus!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Design Manager role. Highlight your experience with MOJ projects and any relevant design management skills. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the role and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention your leadership experience and understanding of current regulations.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your technical design background and any experience with BIM processes. We’re keen on candidates who can manage multidisciplinary teams and understand the nitty-gritty of design compliance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bowmer And Kirkland Limited
✨Know Your Design Regulations
Make sure you brush up on the Building Safety Act, CDM Regulations, and other relevant statutory requirements. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with design management but also understand the legal landscape that surrounds it.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Design Manager, you'll need to lead teams effectively. Prepare examples of how you've successfully coordinated multidisciplinary teams in the past. Highlight your ability to mentor junior team members and how you’ve contributed to their professional development.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about BIM processes and clash detection reviews. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve applied these skills. This will demonstrate your strong technical background and problem-solving abilities.
✨Engage in Client Communication Scenarios
Since client engagement is key in this role, think of scenarios where you’ve had to communicate design changes or manage client expectations. Practising how you would handle these situations can help you articulate your proactive communication style during the interview.
