Facade Designer

Facade Designer (Cladding experience essential) Department: Preconstruction / Design Reports To: Design Manager / Preconstruction Manager Location: Essex (Two days per week) Purpose of the Role The Design Coordinator supports the Preconstruction and Project Delivery teams to ensure that all design outputs meet the required quality, cost, and time objectives. The role involves managing and coordinating design activities from tender through to project completion (RIBA Stages 1–7), and ensuring compliance with regulatory, client, and internal standards. The Design Coordinator also plays a key role in supporting the professional development of the design function and fostering collaboration among internal and external stakeholders. Key Responsibilities Preconstruction Stage – Design Development & Coordination Assist the Preconstruction team during the tender stage with design feasibility and advice to ensure commitments around specification, quality, programme, and performance are achievable. Complete design work on assigned projects to achieve best value, considering buildability, lean construction, environmental impact, health and safety, cost, and schedule. Collaborate with internal and external design teams to deliver design information across RIBA Stages 1 to 7. Develop strong relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers to support collaborative delivery. Promote the work of our client to support new business and repeat opportunities. Ensure all coordinated design information is delivered on time, on budget, and to the required standards. Support overall project delivery in line with Business Plan targets, KPIs, ISO 9001/14001, health and safety policy, and best practices. Tender Stage Responsibilities Support the Estimating team with tender bids as required. Contribute design risk assessments to tender submissions. Advise on design methodology, resources, and timescales to support compliant and competitive bids. Preconstruction – Development of Design Information Review existing tender and design documentation for gaps or potential issues. Recommend appropriate data collection methods such as 3D scanning or point cloud surveys. Issue and track RFIs, escalating unresolved issues when necessary. Access client portals to retrieve relevant specifications, identify gaps or conflicts, and align information release schedules. Review and compare specifications (e.g., NBS) to highlight differences between Employer’s Requirements and the contractor’s proposals. Identify and log design risks and add them to the project risk register. Engage with subcontractors and suppliers for early technical input. Define and agree scopes for any required external design packages. Project / Drawing Management Establish a detailed design programme, including key milestones for orders and subcontractor inputs. Define design deliverables and their release schedules based on the project timeline. Complete all internal design templates, including the Design Quality Plan (DQP), within the first two weeks of the design programme. Maintain the DQP throughout the project and ensure a smooth handover to the Operations team. Produce drawings in line with internal standards, BIM compliance, and agreed formats. Coordinate with the Document Controller to ensure all documents are managed using Deltek PIM or other approved systems. Attend internal and external Design Team Meetings to address coordination and inter-package issues. Prepare and issue all construction drawings required by the Information Release Schedule and Design Deliverables Schedule, including sub-grids, elevations, fire layouts, and setting-out drawings. Ensure construction-issue drawings are released in a timely manner and updated as needed to reflect changes. Coordinate with engineering teams to incorporate their input into the final design documentation. Construction Stage Responsibilities Attend pre-construction handover meetings with the Operations team to review current drawings and any outstanding issues. Engage actively with site management and subcontract installers to support clear understanding of design intent. Schedule ongoing design support based on project complexity and evolving site conditions. Upload updated drawings to Deltek PIM to prevent errors and reduce rework. Attend bi-weekly project meetings (onsite or remote) and report on drawing progress, procurement delays, or subcontractor coordination issues. Highlight and record commercial impacts resulting from design changes or deviations from tendered scope in the Design Change Register. Explain any changes to the Quantity Surveyor or Head of Commercial where required. Respond proactively to design issues as they arise on site. Material Management Schedule materials in line with the phased construction programme and issue requests to Procurement with adequate lead-in time. Coordinate schedules with the Project Manager and ensure alignment with site logistics. Adapt material schedules to account for access constraints and sequencing. Maintain up-to-date design documentation such as fixing schedules, pull test schedules, and the Design Change Register. Log, submit, and monitor all technical submittals for timely release. Track and follow up on outstanding sample submittals and approvals. BRE / Fire Compliance Create and manage the BRE file, collecting all relevant documentation and approvals, stored according to SHEQ requirements. Confirm all fire barrier systems are certified and appropriate for their intended applications. Issue RFIs to the client team for fire barrier layout approvals where our client is not the Principal Contractor. When acting as Principal Contractor, ensure third-party approvals are secured from Fire Consultants or Building Control. Supplier Coordination Engage with suppliers early to ensure effective use of materials and compatibility with the design. Seek technical approvals from suppliers for our client\’s details and proposed installations. Inform Operations of any required training or additional supplier support. Confirm that all specified materials provide best value and are available in line with the programme. Identify and propose cost-effective alternatives that meet the same performance standards. Post-Construction Responsibilities Attend project close-out meetings and provide insights into design coordination and delivery. Assist the Document Controller in compiling handover and O&M documentation. Ensure that all drawings are updated to as-built status and all certifications are complete and accurate. Professional & Team Development Attend CPD sessions and industry seminars to stay current with design standards and industry changes. Align personal development with company growth plans. Share relevant updates with the team through internal forums and meetings. Participate in design team meetings and lead discussions on topics of professional interest when suitable. Embrace and explore new technologies, including BIM updates, and collaborate with the BIM Coordinator for process improvements. Provide feedback to the wider team on changes in regulations and best practices. Maintain strong working relationships with suppliers, clients, and consultants. Mentor, coach, and support team members to encourage professional growth and team cohesion