At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design processes and manage consultants for exciting commercial construction projects.
- Company: Tier 2 main contractor with a strong pipeline of diverse projects.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, flexible working hours, and ongoing project opportunities.
- Why this job: Enjoy autonomy while making a real impact in the construction industry.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Design Manager in commercial projects and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and thrive in a dynamic work environment.
Location: Bridgnorth, Shropshire (with site visits as required)
Contract: Freelance | 2-3 days per week
Sector: Commercial Construction
The Opportunity
My client is a Tier 2 main contractor with a strong pipeline of commercial build projects valued up to £25 million. We're looking for an experienced Design Manager to join them on a freelance basis, supporting our delivery teams through the design and preconstruction phases. This is a flexible role suited to someone who thrives on variety, values autonomy, and wants to balance project work with other commitments.
What You'll Do
- Lead and coordinate the design process from tender through to construction, ensuring buildability, compliance, and programme alignment
- Manage design consultants and subcontractor design packages
- Chair design team meetings and track deliverables against project milestones
- Identify and mitigate design risks early
- Liaise with clients, architects, and engineers to resolve technical queries
- Support value engineering and ensure designs meet budget and specification
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience as a Design Manager within a main contractor environment
- Strong track record on commercial projects (offices, retail, industrial, mixed-use, apartments, residential)
- Confident managing multiple design packages and consultant relationships
- Solid understanding of UK Building Regulations, CDM, and relevant standards
- Excellent communication skills - equally comfortable in a design workshop or a site coordination meeting
- Self-sufficient and able to hit the ground running with minimal supervision
What We Offer
- Competitive day rate (negotiable based on experience)
- Flexible working pattern - typically 2–3 days per week, with scope to adjust around project demands
- A collaborative team and a varied project portfolio
- Opportunity for ongoing work as our pipeline grows
Interested? Send your CV and day rate expectations to Heather Duncan in the Birmingham office. We'd love to hear from you.
Design Manager - Freelance in Bridgnorth employer: Buildforce Solutions Ltd
Contact Detail:
Buildforce Solutions Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager - Freelance in Bridgnorth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, attend events, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Design Manager gig.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure to have a solid collection of your best work ready to share. When you meet potential clients or employers, let your designs do the talking.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire and express your interest in freelance opportunities. You never know what might come up!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience. Plus, we love seeing applications from talented individuals like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager - Freelance in Bridgnorth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Design Manager role. Highlight your experience in commercial projects and any relevant design management roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be liaising with clients, architects, and engineers, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Use examples in your application that show how you've effectively managed relationships and resolved technical queries.
Be Clear About Your Availability: As this is a freelance position, let us know your availability upfront. Mention how many days you can commit each week and if you're flexible around project demands. This helps us understand how you fit into our plans!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Buildforce Solutions Ltd
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of commercial projects the company has worked on. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences and how they relate to their work, especially in managing design processes and ensuring compliance.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Design Manager, you'll need to liaise with various stakeholders. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in both design workshops and site meetings. This will show that you can handle the diverse interactions required in this role.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Brush up on UK Building Regulations, CDM, and relevant standards. Expect questions that test your knowledge in these areas, as well as scenarios where you might need to identify and mitigate design risks. Being well-prepared will help you stand out.
✨Emphasise Your Autonomy and Flexibility
Since this is a freelance role, highlight your ability to work independently and manage multiple design packages. Share examples of how you've successfully balanced project demands with other commitments, showcasing your self-sufficiency and adaptability.