Associate Design Manager

Lead design management across our largest commissions, guide our design managers and help win new work.

About JC Virtual PMs

JC Virtual PMs (JC.VPMS LTD) is a UK-based virtual consultancy delivering project management, design management, BIM, information management and document control. We work with SMEs and other clients across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, bringing joined-up project, design and information management to projects that need more than a freelancer but less than a large consultancy. We are remote-first and growing.

About the role

As Associate Design Manager you will lead design management on our most complex commissions and set the standard for how we manage design across the team. You will report to the Associate Director – Design Management, lead and develop Senior Design Managers, Design Managers and Assistant Design Managers, advise clients on design strategy and risk, and support the directors with bids.

The step up from Senior Design Manager is portfolio and people leadership: you own our design management standards and the quality of the team's work. This role is a pathway to Associate Director.

Key responsibilities

• Lead design management on high-value, multi-disciplinary commissions across RIBA Stages 0–7
• Set design management standards, templates and quality checks across the team
• Advise clients on design strategy, procurement routes, design risk and value engineering
• Lead design reviews and resolve complex coordination and compliance issues, including Building Safety Act requirements where they apply
• Lead, mentor and quality-check Senior Design Managers, Design Managers and Assistant Design Managers
• Oversee BIM and information processes on your commissions in line with ISO 19650
• Support bids, proposals and client presentations

What we're looking for

Essential

• Around 10 years' design management experience, including leading complex projects
• Experience leading and developing a team of design managers
• Expert knowledge of the RIBA Plan of Work, Building Regulations and CDM 2015
• Confident with clients at director and board level
• Right to work in the country where you will be based

Desirable

• Working knowledge of the Building Safety Act 2022, including dutyholder competence and the golden thread
• Strong working knowledge of BIM workflows and ISO 19650
• Experience across traditional, design and build and EPC procurement
• Experience of bids and work-winning
• Professional membership (RIBA, CIOB, RICS, APM or equivalent), chartered or working towards

Experience levels are a guide, not a cut-off. If you are close and can show equivalent experience, please apply.

How we work

• Remote-first: you work from your home base, with occasional client meetings or site visits when a project needs them.
• Our clients and teams span the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, so we agree working hours that overlap with each project's time zones.
• We work in Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint and Outlook) and our own project controls and HR platforms for timesheets, reporting, leave and expenses.
• This role is open as an associate on a day rate or on an employed basis, full-time or part-time. Tell us which suits you.
• We resource against confirmed client commissions, so start dates follow project mobilisation. We will be open about timing from our first conversation.

What we offer

• Remote, flexible working, full-time or part-time
• Competitive salary or associate day rate, benchmarked to your location and experience. We will discuss pay with you before your interview
• Professional membership fees covered for employed team members
• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of UK and international projects
• A clear career path, with Associate Director as your next step
• A supportive, collaborative team with a focus on professional growth
• The chance to help shape and grow a forward-thinking virtual consultancy

If there is no suitable commission straight away, we may keep your details on our active file for up to 12 months so we can contact you when one comes up, and we may invite you to our free remote training sessions (we ask you to sign a non-disclosure agreement first). You can ask us to update or remove your details at any time from your application status page or by emailing projects@jcvirtualpm.co.uk.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If you need any adjustments to apply or interview, just tell us. We do not ask about your pay history.

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