At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design coordination for exciting education projects, ensuring compliance and buildability.
- Company: Join a reputable main contractor with a strong focus on education sector projects.
- Benefits: Enjoy long-term stability, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with a strong pipeline of innovative projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in creating high-quality learning environments across Essex.
- Qualifications: Experience in design management or architecture within the education sector is essential.
Fawkes & Reece are proud to be partnering with a leading main contractor in the search for an experienced Senior Design Manager to join the team on a strong pipeline of education sector projects across Essex and the surrounding region. This is an excellent opportunity to join a business with a strong reputation for delivering DfE, academy, and public sector education schemes, working across multiple live and upcoming projects that combine technical complexity with high-quality learning environments. The portfolio includes a range of new build schools, academies, SEND facilities, and education refurbishments, typically ranging from £5m to £40m+, delivered within both live operational environments and standalone construction sites. This role offers genuine long-term stability, with repeat framework work and a strong forward pipeline across the education sector.
The Role
The successful candidate will play a key role in managing and coordinating the design process across multiple education projects, ensuring information is fully coordinated, compliant, and buildable from pre-construction through to handover.
Responsibilities:
- Managing the design process across multiple education projects
- Coordinating architects, engineers, consultants and specialist subcontractors
- Reviewing and managing technical design information across RIBA stages 2-5
- Leading design coordination meetings and design workshops
- Resolving technical and buildability challenges within live education environments
- Managing design programmes and consultant deliverables across multiple schemes
- Supporting project teams during pre-construction and delivery stages
- Ensuring compliance with DfE standards, building regulations and project requirements
About You
- Previous experience as a Design Manager or Architect within education, schools, academies or public sector projects
- Experience delivering new build or refurbishment schemes in live environments
- Strong technical design coordination skills across RIBA stages 3-5
- Ability to manage multiple consultants and stakeholder groups
- Excellent communication, coordination and problem-solving skills
- Comfortable working across multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment
- Experience working within DfE frameworks, PSBP, or similar public sector education programmes would be highly advantageous.
For Further Information, Please Apply today, or reach out to (url removed)
Senior Design Manager in Chelmsford employer: Fawkes & Reece London
Fawkes & Reece is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to delivering high-quality education sector projects across Essex. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the company fosters a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and problem-solving, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in construction management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Design Manager in Chelmsford
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Fawkes & Reece London who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Manager in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Fawkes & Reece London!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Fawkes & Reece London. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fawkes & Reece London
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Fawkes & Reece London.
