Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design management for exciting projects worth £10m to £50m in various sectors.
- Company: Join one of the UK's top contractors, renowned for innovation in infrastructure and build.
- Benefits: Enjoy a generous holiday allowance, private healthcare, and a pension scheme with matched contributions.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values creativity, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: BA/BSc level qualifications and experience in design management and sustainable practices required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth with long service awards and exclusive discounts.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Design Manager – Construction – Negotiable Salary
Your new company
A well established, privately owned UK construction company operating throughout the UK. They deliver major projects across a number of sectors including education, leisure, commercial, and industrial. They have a strong focus on sustainability, community engagement and social value.
Your new role
An opportunity has arisen for a Design Manager to join the construction team based in the Cambridge area. The role involves overseeing design development from early consultation through to live project delivery, ensuring alignment with project intent and compliance standards. As Design Manager, you will bring strong leadership skills, experience in a principal contracting environment, and a collaborative approach to stakeholder engagement.
Duties include:
- Leading design coordination across projects
- Managing consultants and subcontractor design inputs
- Overseeing design programmes, RFIs, and document control
- Ensuring regulatory compliance and planning conditions are met
- Promoting buildability and safety in design
- Supporting BIM processes and digital model reviews
- Contributing to pre-construction and value engineering efforts
- Maintaining technical and commercial awareness
- Representing the design function in client meetings
- Sharing lessons learned and mentoring junior team members
What you\’ll need to succeed
- Demonstrated success in a design coordination or management role, preferably within a principal contractor setting.
- Strong technical foundation, supported by a degree or equivalent qualification in a construction-related field.
- Comprehensive knowledge of current legislation, including the Building Safety Act, CDM regulations, and Building Regulations.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and oversee specialist subcontractor activities.
- Highly organised, proactive, and an effective communicator.
- Comfortable managing diverse project types, tight timelines, and intricate design challenges.
- Prior experience working on Department for Education frameworks is preferred.
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.
#
Design Manager employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the RIBA work stages and ensure you can discuss them confidently. Being able to articulate your understanding of these stages during an interview will demonstrate your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience in managing multidisciplinary teams by preparing specific examples of past projects. Highlight how you coordinated between different stakeholders and overcame challenges, as this will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest trends in sustainable design and low-carbon techniques. Being knowledgeable about current best practices will not only impress your interviewers but also align with the company's commitment to innovation.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the construction and design management sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who may provide insights or referrals that could help you land the job.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in design management, particularly in relation to RIBA stages and construction knowledge. Use specific examples from previous roles that demonstrate your ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage design processes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your passion for design management and how your background aligns with the company's projects. Mention your understanding of sustainable design principles and any hands-on experience with BIM coordination.
Showcase Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise skills such as value engineering, compliance with industry standards, and your ability to challenge briefs constructively. These are key aspects of the role that the company is looking for.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any errors or inconsistencies. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in design management.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Understand RIBA Work Stages
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the RIBA work stages. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these stages in your previous projects, and how they can be used to ensure safety and compliance throughout the design process.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Design Manager, you'll need to lead multidisciplinary teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in challenging situations, and how you foster collaboration among consultants and contractors.
✨Emphasise Sustainable Design Principles
Given the importance of sustainable design, be ready to talk about your experience with low-carbon techniques and how you've implemented them in your projects. Highlight any innovative solutions you've developed that align with sustainability goals.
✨Prepare for Value Engineering Discussions
Value engineering is key in this role. Think of instances where you've challenged briefs constructively or driven continuous improvement in design activities. Be ready to discuss how you balance cost, quality, and functionality in your designs.
