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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage the design process for exciting projects in accommodation, commercial, and education sectors.
- Company: Established regional contractor in Bristol with a strong reputation and stability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, clear progression opportunities, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Shape high-quality designs and work on diverse projects that make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Design Manager and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with a solid order book and excellent local reputation.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
A well‑established regional contractor based in Bristol is looking to appoint a Design Manager to join their growing technical team. Known for their stability, long‑term client partnerships and secured framework agreements, this contractor offers a strong forward pipeline with a diverse range of live and upcoming schemes.
The Opportunity
You’ll be joining a collaborative design and technical department, working as part of an experienced team delivering multiple projects across accommodation, commercial, and education sectors. Typical project values range from £20m to £50m, with a mixture of new build and refurbishment schemes. This role offers real stability, variety, and the chance to play a key role in shaping the design process on high‑quality regional projects.
Role Responsibilities
- Manage and coordinate the design process from pre‑construction through to delivery
- Work closely with architects, consultants, and subcontractors to ensure accurate, buildable design information
- Support tender and bid activity with technical input
- Lead design workshops, reviews, and stakeholder meetings
- Ensure design documentation meets quality, safety, and regulatory standards
- Drive value engineering and buildability solutions across schemes
Ideal Experience
- Previous experience as a Design Manager with a main contractor
- Background in large‑scale multi‑sector projects
- Strong communication skills and the ability to manage multiple design packages
- Confident in driving coordination and problem‑solving
- Ability to work effectively within a team environment
What’s on Offer
- ~£55,000–£65,000 DOE
- ~ Work on a wide variety of schemes within a manageable working radius
- ~ A solid order book backed by frameworks and repeat clients
- ~ Clear internal support and progression
- ~ Strong team culture and a contractor with an excellent local reputation
If you’re interested in learning more, please send your CV to or contact the Hays Southampton office to arrange a confidential discussion about the opportunity.
Design Lead - to be a manager in Bristol employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead - to be a manager in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at or with the company you're eyeing. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company’s recent projects and their design approach. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their ongoing success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your previous experience as a Design Manager and how it aligns with their needs. Highlight your ability to manage multiple design packages and drive value engineering.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Lead - to be a manager in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Design Manager role. Highlight your previous experience with large-scale projects and your ability to manage design processes effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led design workshops or coordinated with teams in past projects to showcase your communication skills.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, mention instances where you've driven value engineering or found buildability solutions. We want to see how you tackle challenges and ensure quality in your designs.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of getting noticed, apply directly through our website. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Projects
Before the interview, dive deep into the types of projects the company has worked on. Familiarise yourself with their recent schemes in accommodation, commercial, and education sectors. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their work.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Design Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to manage and coordinate design processes. Prepare examples from your past where you've successfully led design workshops or managed multiple design packages, highlighting your problem-solving skills.
✨Understand the Technical Side
Brush up on the technical aspects of design management, especially around quality, safety, and regulatory standards. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles and how you can bring that expertise to their projects.
✨Engage with Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values. Ask about their approach to value engineering or how they support team collaboration on projects.
