At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design coordination for impactful education projects across two sites.
- Company: Join a leading Tier 1 main contractor with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, dynamic work environment, and valuable project experience.
- Other info: Short-term contract with potential for future opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in the education sector while enhancing your design management skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Architecture or Construction and experience with main contractors required.
Design Manager or Assistant Design Manager (Contract) – Tier 1 Contractor
Day Rate
Location
Hayes & Harrow (two nearby sites)
Contract Length
- c.5 months+
- A leading Tier 1 main contractor is seeking a
Design Manager to support two £40m+ education sector projects.
This is a short-term but high impact role that requires a confident communicator, strong coordinator, and someone comfortable working across multiple live sites.
If you thrive in fast paced project environments and enjoy ensuring that design information flows seamlessly from concept to site, this contract offers an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.
The Role
As the Contract Design Manager, you will play a central part in ensuring design packages are fully coordinated, compliant, and delivered on programme.
This is very much a coordination role rather than a designing role.
Working closely with project teams across two sites, you will
- Oversee and support the design process to align with contractual, programme, and cost requirements.
- Act as the main link between clients, consultants and internal teams, ensuring clear and effective communication.
- Coordinate design packages and support procurement activities alongside the Site Manager.
- Manage design consultants to ensure buildability, efficiency, and compliance with standards.
- Lead on the preparation, review and approval of design documentation.
- Ensure full adherence to document control and information management procedures.
- Support commercial and procurement strategy development.
- Represent the contractor in client and stakeholder meetings.
- Lead design risk reviews and ensure quality assurance at key project milestones.
- Facilitate smooth handovers from pre-construction to live site delivery.
Requirements
To succeed in this position, you will need
- A qualification in Architecture, Construction or a related discipline.
- Experience working for a main contractor.
- Strong knowledge of the Design & Build process.
- Excellent understanding of both commercial and construction-stage design.
- Practical familiarity with the
RIBA Plan of Work .
- Strong technical understanding of current building regulations.
- Proven experience managing design on projects such as residential, education, healthcare or student accommodation.
- Awareness of planning requirements and sustainability frameworks (e. g.,
BREEAM ).
- What You’ll Be Doing Daily
- Working with the Senior Design Manager to deliver the full design management process across preconstruction and delivery stages.
- Driving the coordination and timely release of design information.
- Problem-solving design-related issues in conjunction with clients, consultants and project teams.
- Producing, reviewing and maintaining accurate design documents.
- Ensuring alignment between design deliverables and procurement strategy.
How to Apply
If you are interested, please click the apply button or contact
Rob James on 020 8502 0111 for further details.
Premises Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent roles and an employment business for temporary roles, in accordance with the Conduct Regulations 2003.
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Design Manager or Assistant DM - Tier 1 Main Contractor in Hayes employer: Premises Recruitment Ltd
Premises Recruitment Ltd is an excellent employer for Groundworkers, offering competitive day rates and the added benefit of accommodation while working on diverse projects across the UK. With a strong focus on safety and quality, the company fosters a supportive work culture that encourages professional growth and development, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the construction industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager or Assistant DM - Tier 1 Main Contractor in Hayes
✨Get Your Foot in the Door
Temporary roles in construction often rely on quick recruitment, so make sure to visit local recruitment agencies that specialise in the construction sector. They usually have a go-to list of companies that need staff urgently, helping us connect with potential employers faster.
✨Leverage Community Connections
Construction is all about connections! Check out local trade events, networking gatherings, or even social media groups focused on your area. Engaging with the community can lead to insider knowledge about temporary job openings that might not be advertised anywhere else.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Solid Portfolio
Even for temporary gigs, a visual portfolio can really set you apart. Take photos of previous projects you’ve worked on, or if you're fresh in the industry, show examples of your work during training. This can help us demonstrate our hands-on experience to potential employers, like Premises Recruitment Ltd.
✨Apply Directly at Construction Sites
Don’t overlook the power of walking directly into construction sites. Many temporary positions are filled on the spot, so it’s worth popping by local sites and having a face-to-face chat. Bring your CV and be ready to impress, as companies like Premises Recruitment Ltd appreciate proactive candidates ready to jump in when needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager or Assistant DM - Tier 1 Main Contractor in Hayes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the construction game, having hands-on experience matters! Be sure to showcase any previous temporary roles or projects you've worked on in your CV. Mention specific skills like safety protocols, tools you're familiar with, or types of construction work you've done – this will help you stand out!
Showcase Certifications and Training:If you've got any relevant certifications or training like a CSCS card or health and safety courses, flaunt them! Include them in your CV and mention them in your cover letter. It shows that you're not just ready to get to work but that you've got the essential safety knowledge, which is super important in the construction industry.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:For a temporary role, flexibility is key! In your cover letter, make sure to clearly state your availability – are you ready to start immediately? Can you work various shifts? Letting Premises Recruitment Ltd know how adaptable you are might just get you the edge over other candidates.
Keep it Concise and Clear:When applying for temporary roles in construction, employers often appreciate brevity. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the skills and experiences that align most with what Premises Recruitment Ltd is looking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff to make it easier for them to see why you’re the perfect fit!
How to prepare for a job interview at Premises Recruitment Ltd
✨Show Off Your Safety Knowledge
In construction, health and safety is non-negotiable. Get comfortable with specific safety regulations like COSHH or Working at Height – you might get asked how you’d handle risk assessments or unsafe conditions. We need to show that we prioritise safety above all else.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect practical questions or even a mini test where you’ll need to demonstrate basic skills. They might set up a scenario and ask how you would approach a specific task. Let’s prepare by brushing up on our trade skills and thinking through past projects we’ve worked on.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll want to know if you can adapt quickly to different teams and situations. Let's think about past experiences where we've had to adjust on the fly. This will show we’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Highlight Your Previous Experience
Temporary roles often require hitting the ground running, so make sure to have a few stories lined up that showcase your relevant experience in construction. We want to emphasise skills that might not be on our CV—like teamwork and problem-solving when things don't go to plan.