Design Manager (Fit Out)

Your new company HAYS is delighted to be partnering with a dynamic and progressive specialist joinery and interior fit-out contractor in the appointment of an experienced Design Manager. Based in Antrim, this is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious business with an established reputation for excellence and innovation, taking responsibility for leading design teams across multiple projects. Operating within a highly specialist area of the construction industry, our client places design quality, buildability and technical innovation at the centre of project delivery.

The successful candidate will join a positive, inclusive and high-performing working environment where people are encouraged to take ownership, challenge established approaches and continually identify better ways of working.

Your new role

As Design Manager, you will lead and manage a multidisciplinary team of Design Co-ordinators, Technicians and other design professionals. You will foster a collaborative and innovative working environment, while providing clear leadership, guidance and mentorship to the colleagues reporting to you. Working closely with operational teams and external stakeholders, you will develop a thorough understanding of project programmes, budgets and objectives. You will oversee the effective coordination of the design process from initial concept through to completion across multiple projects, ensuring that agreed programmes, performance measures and design deliverables are achieved. A key focus of the position will be ensuring that designs are buildable, repeatable and efficient.

You will encourage early engagement between the Design and Manufacturing teams, making certain that manufacturing feedback is embedded within design reviews and that information flows effectively between both functions. You will review and evaluate information provided by clients' architects and designers, programme the required design work and collaborate with production and project-delivery teams to establish realistic design programmes for each contract. You will work alongside the project management team to develop and manage the design budget for each project, ensuring that proposed solutions remain within budget allowances. This will include monitoring and reporting on design expenditure, identifying cost-saving opportunities and maintaining design quality throughout the process. You will also work with the Head of Design to assess and adjust resource requirements in line with operational demands.

You will ensure consistency and quality across all design deliverables, confirming compliance with project requirements, agreed programmes, budgets, safety regulations and relevant industry standards. By reviewing design documents and drawings at the appropriate stages, you will help identify potential issues early, address technical challenges and encourage the development of innovative, practical solutions. You will additionally ensure that variations arising during the design process are properly documented, approved and incorporated into the project.

This role also offers an opportunity to influence the company's developing digital-design capabilities. You will take a proactive role in advancing its use of Inventor, Revit, BIM and other relevant technologies, while remaining informed about emerging industry trends, software and best practice that could enhance the design. You will support the estimating team during tender, post-tender and pre-award stages, providing advice on design programmes, buildability and wider technical matters. Regular reporting to the Head of Design and clients will form part of your responsibilities, covering project milestones, budget performance and design progress. You will also promote strong communication between design, production, commercial and project teams, as well as clients, consultants, specialist subcontractors and suppliers.

What you'll need to succeed

To succeed in this position, you should have extensive experience in the design management and delivery of construction projects, supported by an impressive project portfolio. You will hold a third-level qualification in a building, construction, architectural or closely related discipline. You will have an excellent working knowledge of both 2D and 3D design, together with a proven record of effectively managing and developing design teams. Your experience should enable you to coordinate complex design information, balance technical quality against programme and budget requirements, and build productive relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. You should be a confident leader and communicator who can take ownership, solve problems and encourage collaboration across design, manufacturing and project-delivery functions. A genuine interest in digital design, innovation and the continued development of technologies such as Inventor, Revit and BIM will be particularly important.

What you'll get in return

In return, you will receive a competitive salary and benefits package, together with training and personal-development opportunities. The company also provides a range of initiatives intended to support a healthy work-life balance. More broadly, this is an opportunity to assume a highly influential role within an ambitious specialist contractor where design, manufacturing and project delivery operate in close partnership. You will have the platform to shape design standards, develop people, strengthen digital capabilities and help deliver practical, efficient and technically accomplished solutions across multiple projects. You will join a business whose stated values centre on taking ownership, recognising and supporting its people, advancing innovation, prioritising health and safety, and taking pride in the quality of its work.

What you need to do now

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.