At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design processes for exciting construction projects across London, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Join a top-tier contractor with a strong pipeline of innovative projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team focused on design excellence and project success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-value projects while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualification in construction or design management and experience with large projects.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are working with a National Top Tier Contractor who are adding to their growing London business and have an opportunity for a Design Manager to join them. They have a strong and secure pipeline of work across London including Commercial/Mixed Use refurbishment, Cut & Carve and Healthcare / Hospital schemes; £50m-£100m, offering exposure to technically challenging projects.
This is a key role within the project team, where you will play a pivotal part in ensuring design excellence, programme certainty, and successful project delivery.
As Design Manager, you will take ownership of the design process from pre-construction through to completion, ensuring that design information is coordinated, compliant, and aligned with programme and commercial objectives. You will act as the central point of coordination between internal teams, consultants, subcontractors and the client, driving design quality and mitigating risk.
You will:
- Manage the design process with full awareness of commercial, contractual and programme constraints
- Support tenders/bids, including input into value engineering exercises
- Lead and coordinate external consultants and subcontractor design teams
- Prepare and manage: Design Information Release Schedules, Design Programmes, Design Responsibility Matrices
- Ensure all designs comply with current legislation, standards, codes of practice and Employer's Requirements
- Develop and manage drawing/document control systems and protocols
- Collaborate with the Project Manager and Planner to align design and construction programmes
- Support the Commercial Team in procurement planning and scheduling
- Chair design team meetings and coordination workshops
- Review design outputs for: Quality and completeness, Health & Safety / CDM compliance, Buildability and technical accuracy
- Manage the RFI process and maintain registers
- Support change control, including assessment of variations
- Liaise with clients, stakeholders, statutory authorities and delivery teams
- Manage client expectations and maintain strong working relationships
- Ensure design information is delivered on time and to the required quality
- Identify and reduce design and construction risks (technical, H&S and financial)
- Support SHEQ plans, QA processes, and preparation of ITPs and quality documentation
- Contribute to BIM implementation and company standards where required
- Undertake quality inspections and report on site issues
You will have/be:
- Relevant qualification in construction, architecture or design management with a main contractor
- Experience delivering new build and refurb projects circa £50m+
- Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and drive design programmes
- IT literate (MS Office essential)
- Knowledge of BIM processes, tools and implementation (desirable)
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Design Manager (Construction New Build & Refurb) in London employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Join a leading National Top Tier Contractor in London, where you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering high-quality construction projects. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have access to ongoing training and growth opportunities, all within a collaborative work culture that values innovation and excellence. Enjoy the unique advantage of working on technically challenging projects across various sectors, including commercial and healthcare, while contributing to the success of a company with a secure pipeline of work.
Contact Details:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager (Construction New Build & Refurb) in London
✨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, 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 (Construction New Build & Refurb) at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager (Construction New Build & Refurb) in London
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
✨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!
