Design Lead - to be a manager in City of London

Hybrid: 1+ days per week in London-based site offices & remaining days in Head Office/working from home. Head Office located in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire SL8 5AS. Full Time/Contract option available.

Middlesex Limited is a specialist subcontractor with over 20 years’ experience delivering high-quality drylining, partitions and ceiling systems across the UK construction sector. Our portfolio spans commercial, education, healthcare, residential, leisure, data centre and mixed-use developments, working with many of the UK’s leading contractors.

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager with 7+ years of experience in drylining and/or ceilings to join our growing team. This is a key role within the business, responsible for managing and coordinating the design process across specialist drylining, partition and ceiling packages from pre-construction through to project completion.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the design process across live and pre-construction projects.
• Author and manage detailed drawings, GA drawings and reflected ceiling plans (RCPs) for project packages.
• Coordinate and manage all design deliverables including drawings, technical submissions, sample sheets and as-built information.
• Develop and maintain design programmes, information release schedules and project trackers.
• Ensure all design information is coordinated between consultants, subcontractors, suppliers and internal teams.
• Work closely with estimating and commercial teams during pre-construction to review tender information, identify risks and support value engineering opportunities.
• Attend and lead design workshops, trade coordination meetings and internal design review meetings.
• Resolve design comments and technical queries within agreed timescales.
• Carry out site surveys and provide set-out information where required.
• Ensure all fire ratings, certifications and technical compliance requirements are current and fully coordinated.
• Develop pragmatic and commercially viable solutions to technical and construction challenges.
• Coordinate and manage project documentation through SharePoint, ACC Docs and associated platforms.
• Produce and manage O&M manuals and as-built drawing submissions.
• Support the Quantity Surveying team with the assessment and pricing of variations where required.
• Support continuous improvement within the design department, including mentoring junior team members and contributing to internal CPD sessions.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Design Manager within drylining, interiors or specialist subcontracting (ideally 7 years +).
• Strong technical understanding of drywall systems, partitions, ceilings and associated construction details.
• Experience producing and coordinating technical drawings and design information.
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing, buildability and project delivery.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent coordination, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to balance design, programme and budget requirements.
• Experience using Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Revit and document management platforms such as SharePoint or ACC Docs (Navisworks also a bonus).
• Understanding of fire performance requirements, certifications and technical compliance standards preferred.
• Relevant construction or design qualification preferred (HNC/HND/Degree or equivalent experience).
• CSCS card preferred.
• Full UK driving licence preferred.

Competitive salary and benefits package. Hybrid working. Clear career progression and ongoing training, CPD and professional development. Opportunities to work on high-profile projects across multiple sectors. The opportunity to contribute to landmark projects alongside experienced industry professionals.

If you are a driven Design Manager looking to join a growing specialist subcontractor with a strong technical reputation and collaborative culture, we would love to hear from you.