Design Manager

Design Manager

Full-Time 40500 - 49500 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead design coordination for exciting projects in hospitality and residential sectors.
  • Company: Join a respected main contractor with a strong project pipeline in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Great chance to enhance your career with a leading contractor.
  • Why this job: Transition from architectural practice to impactful design management in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in multi-room residential projects and strong technical understanding of construction.

The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.

Are you an Architectural Technologist looking to take your experience beyond architectural practice and move into a Design Management role with a leading main contractor? Hays is delighted to be working with a large and highly respected main contractor delivering major projects across the hotel, student accommodation and commercial sectors. With a strong pipeline of work across Edinburgh and Glasgow, they are looking to appoint a Design Manager to join their growing team.

Your new role involves working closely with the project, commercial and construction teams, taking responsibility for coordinating the design process from pre-construction through to delivery on site. You will work with architects, consultants, subcontractors and internal stakeholders to ensure designs are coordinated, buildable, compliant and delivered in line with the project programme.

Key responsibilities will include:

  • Managing and coordinating design information throughout the project life cycle
  • Working closely with architects, consultants and specialist subcontractors
  • Reviewing drawings and technical information for compliance and buildability
  • Liaising with Building Control and supporting projects through the approvals process
  • Identifying and resolving design issues before they impact delivery on site
  • Managing design meetings, actions and information schedules
  • Supporting site teams throughout the construction phase
  • Ensuring design information meets programme, quality and commercial requirements

What you'll need to succeed:

This role could suit an existing Design Manager, but our client is particularly interested in speaking with Architectural Technologists or Architects looking to make the move from architectural practice into main contracting. You should have:

  • Experience working on multi-room residential projects, such as hotels, student accommodation, residential developments, care/aged-care facilities or similar
  • A strong technical understanding of construction and detailed design
  • Good knowledge of Building Regulations and the Building Control process
  • The confidence to coordinate architects, engineers and specialist designers
  • An understanding of how design decisions impact construction, programme and cost
  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills
  • Previous main contractor experience would be beneficial, but it is not essential.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with the right technical background to make the transition into contractor-side Design Management.

Design Manager employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers

Hays Education is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for SEN SLD/PMLD teachers in the Hounslow/Hillingdon area. With access to exclusive vacancies, ongoing professional development, and a dedicated consultant to guide your career, you will find ample opportunities for growth while making a meaningful impact on the lives of pupils with special educational needs. Join us to be part of a community that values inclusivity and fosters both personal and professional development.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers

Contact Details:

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Manager

✨Join Construction Networks

Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!

✨Show Off Your Skills on Site

If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.

✨Utilise Construction Job Sites

Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers, to express your interest!

✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles

Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Design Manager at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers.

We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager

Design Management
Architectural Technology
Construction Coordination
Building Regulations Knowledge
Technical Understanding of Construction
Compliance Review
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.

Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.

Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.

How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers

✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge

For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.

✨Showcase Your Projects

Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.

✨Understand the Team Dynamics

Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.

✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving

Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!