At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design coordination and delivery across projects, ensuring compliance and quality.
- Company: Join Bowmer + Kirkland, a top family-run construction group with a strong commitment to staff development.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private health insurance, and training opportunities.
- Other info: We welcome diverse applicants and support adjustments for interviews.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative team focused on innovation, safety, and high-quality project delivery.
- Qualifications: Experience in design management and a degree in a construction-related field are essential.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Title: Design Manager
Location: Bristol
Salary: Competitive
Job Type: This is a full time, permanent role 40 hours over 5 days per week. This is a hybrid role, where you will be based out of our Bristol office and work from sites in Somerset and Dorset.
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 - something which only a select number of high performing contractors achieve.
We are now looking to strengthen our team with the appointment of Design Managers to lead the coordination and delivery of design in preconstruction and on live sites for Education projects ranging between £15m and £50m. We welcome applicants with a range of experience levels, from Assistant Design Managers through to Senior Design Managers.
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.
Duties of the Role:
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 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.
Key Skills & Experience required:
- Proven experience in a design management role within a main contracting environment.
- 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.
- Department for Education framework experience essential.
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 at in advance of an interview to discuss any adjustments that are required in order to support you in the process.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE .
If you're interested in the role and would like to put yourself forward, please hit APPLY and attach your CV and Cover Letter.
Candidates with experience or relevant job titles of; Design Manager, Senior Design Manager, Assistant Design Manager, Construction Design Manager, Pre-Construction Design Manager, Design Coordinator, Senior Design Coordinator, Technical Manager, Technical Design Manager, Construction Project Manager, Pre-Construction Manager, Project Design Manager, Design and Build Manager, Design Lead, Technical Coordinator, Senior Technical Coordinator, BIM Manager, may also be considered for this role.
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Locations
Design Manager in Newport, Wales employer: Bowmer And Kirkland Limited
Bowmer + Kirkland is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to staff development and a supportive work culture. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, employees benefit from extensive training opportunities, a competitive benefits package including private health insurance, and a generous holiday allowance, all while working in the vibrant city of Bristol and surrounding areas. As a family-run business with a strong emphasis on safety and quality, we foster an environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to meaningful projects in the education sector.
Contact Details:
Bowmer And Kirkland Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager in Newport, Wales
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Building Safety Act and CDM Regulations, as these are crucial for the Design Manager role. Being able to discuss how you have applied these regulations in past projects will demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience in managing multidisciplinary teams during interviews. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully coordinated design processes and resolved conflicts among team members.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your proficiency in BIM processes and tools like Viewpoint 4P. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies to enhance project delivery and collaboration in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with current trends in construction design and safety. Being knowledgeable about recent developments can set you apart and show your commitment to continuous improvement in the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in Newport, Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in design management, particularly within a main contracting environment. Emphasise your technical design background and any specific projects that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, address how your skills and experiences meet the key responsibilities of the Design Manager role. Use specific examples to demonstrate your leadership abilities and your understanding of compliance with regulations like the Building Safety Act and CDM.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since the role requires engaging with clients and leading design-based communication, highlight your communication skills in both your CV and cover letter. Mention any experience you have in coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing stakeholder relationships.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:Ensure you mention your degree or equivalent qualifications in a construction-related discipline. If you have additional certifications related to BIM processes or health and safety, include those as well to strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bowmer And Kirkland Limited
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Design Manager, you'll need to demonstrate exceptional leadership. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led design teams in the past, highlighting your ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and manage complex projects.
✨Understand the Regulations
Familiarise yourself with the Building Safety Act, CDM Regulations, and other relevant statutory requirements. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your design processes and how this impacts project delivery.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role requires working closely with clients, consultants, and subcontractors. Prepare to discuss your experience in fostering collaboration and communication among various stakeholders to achieve design excellence.
✨Demonstrate Technical Proficiency
Highlight your technical design background and experience with BIM processes. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, such as Viewpoint 4P, and how they have contributed to successful project outcomes.
