Design Manager

Fortem Solutions are currently recruiting for a Design Manager to join our Technical Services department on a permanent basis. The main purpose of the role is to be integral to the bidding team and process, to have the knowledge and ability to lead the technical design function throughout the RIBA Work stages, from bidding stage, pre-construction and during the construction stage, to ensure that all designs are produced in compliance with relevant legislation, the main contract and in time for other designs, procurement, and construction to proceed as planned.

The Company Fortem Solutions are a nationwide business specialising in the Social Housing sector. We provide Repairs & Maintenance, Voids, Capital Works and Retrofit workstreams within Local Authorities and Housing Associations.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Act as point of contact for design issues.
• Establishment and compliance of design management / information protocols using Fortem Process and Procedure; Common Data Environment (CDE) i.e. Viewpoint.
• Review designers scopes of services, and novation agreements, against projects, ECI or PSCA agreements.
• Ensure individual staff from consultants / specialists / CPD sub-contractor designers are competent to undertake the roles required and follow the Fortem competency framework.
• Establish any other design/specialist consultants required for the scheme, agree scope and fee proposals.
• Ensure all roles and responsibilities of CDM is factored into the design by the design team, PD (PD advisor).
• Review all design information to establish any areas where Fortem can add value to proposals in decarbonisation / Smart Buildings / design efficiencies.
• Assist estimating / commercial with a technical review of specialist design (CDP) subcontractor tender ensuring design teams are consulted for compliance, qualifications, alternative specifications and opportunities.
• Delivery of fully co‑coordinated and detailed design proposals.
• Coordinate and oversee the design process, ensuring all disciplines fully collaborate and work together seamlessly to avoid conflicts and delays.
• Establish and obtain fee quotes / commission any required surveys / tests / reports.
• Liaise with the Commercial Team for cost checking and ensuring the design meets the project budget.
• Lead Client Design/Review meetings during Bid/Construction Phases.
• Input into design change - Monitor design changes and change control.
• Co‑ordinate and manage any BREEAM or sustainable requirement i.e embodied carbon requirements and ensure these are achieved through appropriate appointments and delivered to meet the program.
• Lead the Design Team to use the BIM toolkit to improve design co‑ordination and promote clash avoidance, if required.

What You Will Need

Essential Criteria

• Excellent construction design technical knowledge.
• Excellent management capabilities to manage, direct and drive multi‑disciplinary design teams.
• Knowledge of methodology and sequencing process in delivering a construction project including design and pre‑construction activities.
• Understanding and able to interpret the Employer's requirements for design to procurement and construction purposes.
• Ability to drive issues through to completion, setting clear targets and driving the delivery of design information towards those targets.
• Experience working for Social housing Landlords and sustainability/retrofit projects through funding such as ECO4, Cladding Safety Scheme.
• An understanding of Retrofit project specifications and requirements and understanding Building Pathology – impacts of retrofitting on an existing built form.
• A demonstrable history of work on complex projects and what impacts the candidate had on these in regard to design control.
• Knowledge of contractual requirements of design and build contracts (Employer's Requirements and preparation of Contractor's Proposals) with Two Stage, PCSA contracts.
• Ability to plan, prepare and present complex technical issues in an appropriate manner to internal (ie/Governance) and external parties.
• Knowledge of design requirements for procurement and construction purposes.
• Technical understanding of substructures, structures, M&E services and finishes solutions.

Desirable Criteria

• A bachelor's degree (Hons) in a relevant field such as Architecture, Building Surveying, Construction Management, or Architectural Technology.
• Chartered memberships: Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) or Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) demonstrating a high level of commitment and expertise.

Benefits

• Annual bonus up to 10% of basic salary
• 29 days annual leave & your birthday off
• Pay review every year
• 26 weeks full pay maternity leave
• 8 weeks full pay paternity leave
• £1,500 towards home electric car set up
• Discounted gym memberships at national and local gyms
• Up to £3,000 colleague referral fee
• Vast directory of training on bespoke in‑house Learning Management System
• Other benefits including Private pension, Life Insurance, dental care, private healthcare, cycle‑to‑work scheme, mobile phone provider discounts & more

Who We Are

We are part of the Willmott Dixon group, established in 2002 Fortem provides specialist property solutions tailored to keep homes and buildings running smoothly. Our highly trained teams deliver a range of internal and external repairs as well as high quality voids, planned installations and gas services. Alongside our core functions, we have extensive experience in decarbonisation, specialising in making homes more energy‑efficient and helping clients on their journey to become zero carbon. Our experience, commitment to best practice and exemplary quality, together with a genuine partnered approach, ensures we achieve excellent outcomes for our partners, clients and customers. We have an established track record of improving communities and creating better places for people to work and live. We are Investors in People – Gold, we believe in equality, diversity and respect for all and encourage applications from all sectors of the community.