At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design management across projects, ensuring compliance and collaboration.
- Company: Join Bowmer + Kirkland, a top family-run construction group in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private health insurance, and a pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for mentoring and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in construction while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in design management and a degree in a construction-related field.
About Bowmer + Kirkland 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 Partners of the Considerate Constructors Scheme – something which only a select number of high performing contractors achieve.
We are seeking an enthusiastic Design Manager to join our B+K Property Services, based at Robert W Kirkland House, Alfreton Road, DE21 4AG. This is a full-time permanent role.
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.
This is a full-time, permanent role 40 hours over 5 days per week.
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, ideally within a main contracting environment.
- Ideally candidates will have large residential/commercial project experience with the direct support from a Senior Design Manager (projects £70m+), or, have independent residential/commercial project experience on schemes ranging from £15m-£70m.
- 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.
Bowmer + Kirkland is an equal opportunities employer. NO AGENCIES PLEASE. We are a disability confident employer and actively encourage applicants who are covered under the equality act to apply. Please contact the HR Department on 01773 853131 in advance of an interview to discuss any adjustments that are required in order to support you in the process. We are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and encourage applications from service leavers. We are also signatories of the Care Leaver's Covenant and encourage applications from care leavers.
Design Manager - B+K Property Services - Derby employer: Bowmer + Kirkland
B&K Hybrid Solutions is an exceptional employer located in Derby, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises safety and innovation in the construction industry. With flexible working hours, a commitment to employee development, and a modernised facility equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, we empower our team to excel while contributing to sustainable projects. Join us to be part of a collaborative culture that values leadership, continuous improvement, and the well-being of our workforce.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager - B+K Property Services - Derby
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Bowmer + Kirkland, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Design Manager - B+K Property Services - Derby at Bowmer + Kirkland.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager - B+K Property Services - Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bowmer + Kirkland
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
