Design Manager (Main Contractor)
Design Manager (Main Contractor)

Design Manager (Main Contractor)

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead design coordination for large-scale projects and collaborate with diverse teams.
  • Company: Join a top-tier contractor known for high-quality, design-led developments.
  • Benefits: Enjoy career advancement, modern processes, and a supportive work culture.
  • Why this job: Make an impact on flagship projects while growing your professional skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a Design Manager in a main contractor environment is essential.
  • Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities across the UK.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Your new company HAYS Architecture & Design NI are working on behalf of one of the UK and Ireland’s leading Tier One contractors in their search for a competent and experienced Design Manager, due to sustained growth gained from successfully delivering major hotel, residential, office, mixed-use and commercial projects across the United Kingdom & Ireland. With offices in both County Antrim & Tyrone, this business has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality, design-led developments through efficient processes, strong client partnerships and their fully integrated delivery model. Their project teams are known for professionalism, clarity and a solutions-focused approach - creating an excellent environment for a driven Design Manager to thrive.

Your new role Due to ongoing growth and an expanding UK-wide project pipeline, our client is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join their Belfast or Cookstown office. This position will play a key role in coordinating pre-construction and onsite design activities across large-scale projects, working closely with internal delivery teams, consultants and subcontractors. Hays’ recent interactions with the business confirm Design Manager hiring remains a core priority as the company strengthens its internal technical capacity.

In this role, you will drive design coordination throughout project lifecycle stages, ensuring information is delivered accurately, on time and aligned with programme, budget and client requirements. You will lead design workshops, review consultant and subcontractor packages, identify technical risks and support value engineering. You will collaborate extensively with procurement, commercial and construction teams, ensuring design deliverables are fully integrated with project strategy and sequencing.

What you’ll need to succeed You will bring strong Design Manager experience within a main contractor environment, ideally with exposure to large-scale multi-disciplinary projects. You are confident managing design risk, navigating complex stakeholder environments and resolving technical queries efficiently. You will demonstrate excellent communication skills, a proactive mindset, and an ability to work across UK-wide project locations when required, an attribute highly valued by this client.

What you’ll get in return Joining this premier organisation offers the opportunity to be part of a respected Tier One contractor with a strong pipeline of long-term work, modern delivery processes and a culture centred on progression, professional respect and team collaboration. Whether based in Belfast or Cookstown, you will gain exposure to flagship projects, supportive senior leadership and genuine career advancement opportunities.

Design Manager (Main Contractor) employer: hays-gcj-v4-pd-online

As a leading Tier One contractor in the UK and Ireland, this company offers an exceptional work environment for a Design Manager, characterised by a strong focus on professional growth, collaboration, and high-quality project delivery. With offices in both Belfast and Cookstown, employees benefit from a supportive culture that prioritises career advancement and exposure to flagship projects, all while working within a dynamic team known for its professionalism and innovative approach.
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Contact Detail:

hays-gcj-v4-pd-online Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Manager (Main Contractor)

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best design projects and achievements. When you get the chance to meet potential employers, having something tangible to showcase can really set you apart from the competition.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews like it’s game day! Research the company, understand their projects, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Confidence and preparation can make all the difference when it comes to landing that Design Manager role.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented individuals like you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager (Main Contractor)

Design Management
Project Coordination
Stakeholder Management
Technical Risk Management
Value Engineering
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Collaboration
Attention to Detail
Multi-Disciplinary Project Experience
Proactive Mindset
Onsite Design Activities
Consultant and Subcontractor Review

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Design Manager role. Highlight your experience with large-scale projects and your ability to manage design risks. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our team. Mention specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the role. We love a good story!

Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves extensive collaboration, make sure to showcase your communication skills in your application. Whether it's through your writing style or examples of past teamwork, we want to see how you connect with others.

Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture!

How to prepare for a job interview at hays-gcj-v4-pd-online

✨Know Your Projects Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the projects the company has worked on, especially large-scale ones. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their portfolio and how you can contribute to future projects.

✨Showcase Your Design Coordination Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your ability to drive design coordination throughout project lifecycles. Discuss specific instances where you successfully managed design risks or resolved technical queries, as this will demonstrate your capability in a main contractor environment.

✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Since excellent communication skills are crucial for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Use concise language when discussing your past experiences and be prepared to explain complex concepts in a way that’s easy to understand.

✨Demonstrate a Proactive Mindset

Employers love candidates who take initiative. Share examples of how you've proactively identified issues in previous projects and the steps you took to resolve them. This will show that you’re not just reactive but also forward-thinking.

Design Manager (Main Contractor)
hays-gcj-v4-pd-online
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