Design 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. £70,000-100,000 DOE.

About Middlesex

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. At Middlesex, we believe successful delivery starts long before work begins on site. Our in-house pre-construction, design and planning teams engage early to ensure systems, interfaces and sequencing are coordinated, buildable and commercially practical from the outset. This design-led approach helps projects run smoothly, reduces risk for our clients, and supports high-quality delivery on every project.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager with 7+ 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. Working closely with the commercial, operational and pre-construction teams, you will ensure all design information is coordinated, compliant, buildable, commercially aligned and delivered to programme. This role would suit someone with strong technical knowledge of drywall and interior systems, excellent coordination skills, and a proactive, solutions-led approach to project delivery.

Key Duties and 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.
• Assist site teams with technical guidance, QA support and practical buildability solutions.
• 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.
• Work in line with Middlesex internal procedures and ISO 9001 standards.

Skills & Experience Required

• 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.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to resolving technical challenges.
• High level of attention to detail and organisational ability.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Relevant construction or design qualification preferred (HNC/HND/Degree or equivalent experience).
• CSCS card preferred.
• Full UK driving licence preferred.

What Middlesex Offers You

• 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.
• A collaborative and supportive culture where people work hard, deliver high standards, and enjoy what they do.
• A forward-thinking environment within a growing UK business.
• 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. Middlesex Limited is an equal opportunities employer.