At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design projects that shape public spaces and improve community infrastructure.
- Company: Reputable property consultancy focused on meaningful public sector projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, generous leave, and health insurance.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to innovation and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your design management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in design management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Our client is a highly regarded property and construction consultancy operating across the East Midlands, delivering a broad range of services to public sector organisations and community-focused projects. Working across estates, asset management, design, project delivery, construction, and property consultancy, they play a key role in shaping and maintaining essential public buildings and infrastructure throughout the region.
With a strong reputation for collaboration, innovation, and service excellence, the organisation offers employees the opportunity to work on varied and meaningful projects that have a tangible impact on local communities. Their multidisciplinary teams provide expert advice and project delivery across education, local government, healthcare, and wider public sector estates.
The Role
Design Manager Location: Nottingham Hours: 37 hours per week Salary: 60000-65000
About the Role: Seeking a proactive and collaborative Design Manager to coordinate and deliver high-quality design outputs across multiple projects. Reporting to the Head of Architecture, you will work as part of a multidisciplinary team, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Coordinate internal, outsourced, and contractor-led design activities to maintain programme adherence and quality.
- Manage design information, drawings, and specifications across multiple live projects.
- Facilitate clear communication and workflow across multidisciplinary teams.
- Support and enforce quality management systems and design protocols.
- Lead and attend design meetings, providing guidance to consultants and stakeholders.
- Ensure compliance with statutory regulations, planning, and building requirements.
- Monitor and report on design progress, resource allocation, and project risks.
About you
- Experience managing design programmes and multidisciplinary teams in a construction or architectural environment.
- Strong communication, coordination, and leadership skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritise tasks, and ensure quality deliverables.
- Knowledge of BIM standards, quality management systems, and statutory compliance.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, customer care, and sustainability.
Essential Qualifications & Training:
- Degree or HNC/HND in architecture or relevant construction field.
- Evidence of ongoing CPD (Continuing Professional Development) in construction-related issues.
Experience:
- Proven track record in design management and multidisciplinary design coordination across RIBA stages.
- Experience in sectors such as new build, refurbishment, conservation, retrofit, and sustainable/environmental design.
- Commercial controls experience, including forecasting and value for money delivery.
- Strong understanding of multidisciplinary teams (structural, civil, electrical, mechanical engineering).
- Experience managing projects and teams, ensuring budgetary control and meeting deadlines.
- Working knowledge of standard forms of contract.
- Experience in project/design reviews for quality, safety, and reputational risk.
Knowledge:
- Up-to-date knowledge of design, construction, and environmental issues, including legislative requirements (CDM, Building Regulations, Building Safety Act).
- Good knowledge of design and construction processes and deliverables.
- Understanding of commercial design, cost planning, tenders, and financial control.
- Strong knowledge of BIM (Building Information Modelling) and digital construction practices (including ISO 19650).
IT & Technical Skills:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and mobile technology.
- Experience with project programming/resource software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asta Power Project, Cemar).
Desirable:
- Formal management qualification.
- Experience with NEC4 Suite of Contracts.
- Understanding of construction in Local Government/Public Sector.
- Knowledge of sustainability in design and asset life cycle.
- Experience with Common Data Environments (CDEs).
On offer:
- An attractive package (based on experience).
- Travel expenses, to and from site.
- Local Government Pension Scheme and life assurance of 3x salary.
- BUPA Private Medical Insurance.
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and additional birthday leave.
- Enhanced paternity and maternity pay.
- Funded professional memberships.
- Based in the Nottingham office, we also offer flexible working hours to support your work/life balance.
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-Public Sector in Nottingham employer: Hays
Join a vibrant secondary school that prioritises excellence in education and fosters a supportive community for both students and staff. As the Head of Mathematics, you will benefit from a competitive salary, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and growth. This role not only allows you to lead a dedicated team but also to make a significant impact on student achievement in a welcoming environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager-Public Sector in Nottingham
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Hays who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager-Public Sector in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Hays!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Hays. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Hays.
