Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design projects from tender to construction, ensuring smooth communication and execution.
- Company: Join a top-tier contractor with a stellar reputation and strong client relationships.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, full training, and endless career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of exciting projects in education and healthcare while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with Tier 1 contractors on projects over £10 million is essential.
- Other info: Diversity is valued; all applicants are encouraged to apply.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
We are working with a Tier 1 contractor based near Reading to recruit a Senior Design Manager to join the team. The company is a national brand with an excellent reputation in their chosen marketplace and has excellent long-term relationships with clients, subcontractors, and the wider supply chain. They have a forward-thinking approach to staff engagement, and there are opportunities to grow and develop your career with them.
The regional office is based near Reading, but the geographical area covers the M4 Corridor Reading and Oxford. They target work in the education, public sector, leisure, and commercial marketplaces with a mix of negotiated and framework opportunities. Turnover for 2024 has been secured, and 2025/6 is almost there, so they are now in a position to be highly selective about what type of work they look at.
Current live projects include new build NHS and student schemes in Oxford, SEN schools, Life Sciences schemes, Office, and local authority developments ranging from GBP25 to GBP90 million on JCT and NEC forms of contract.
The role of Senior Design Manager includes early involvement at tender and bid stage, working with the estimating and commercial teams to carry out a detailed and forensic investigation into the scheme and work on the key packages to explore and identify both opportunities and potential issues with critical pathways. You will carry out VE exercises where needed and use your skills and expertise to create detailed input for the tender and bid packages.
You will be responsible for the information flow between client, consultants, subcontractors, and your own internal teams and take the lead on the framework schemes. You will be responsible for taking the scheme from tender and bid, including full detailed 2nd stage works, contract award, and finally onto site for the construction phase. You will manage and implement the design on site with the project manager, site delivery teams, and subcontractors, and take responsibility for managing RFIs, change processes, CDM regulations, etc., through to handover and commissioning.
You will ideally have worked for a Tier 1 or larger regional contractor on schemes above GBP10 million and have experience of both D&B projects and framework negotiations. You should be able to demonstrate excellent work practices, attention to detail, organizational skills, as well as the ability to identify opportunities and potential issues.
They are looking for experienced Design Managers as well as senior staff as part of their controlled growth and development, and now is a brilliant time to join the business. They offer a competitive salary and package, hybrid working options, full training, and bespoke development packages, and the opportunities for advancement are unlimited - they regularly recognize, reward, and promote the best internal talent.
Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
Design Manager employer: Randstad
Contact Detail:
Randstad Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific projects the company is currently working on, such as NHS and student schemes. This knowledge will allow you to speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their ongoing work during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the industry, especially those who have worked with Tier 1 contractors. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with individuals who can provide insights or even referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your understanding of the JCT and NEC forms of contract, as well as your experience with D&B projects. Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've successfully managed similar contracts in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your organisational skills and attention to detail in conversations. Prepare to share instances where you've identified potential issues early in a project and how you addressed them, showcasing your proactive approach to design management.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in design management, particularly with Tier 1 contractors and projects over GBP10 million. Emphasise your skills in managing RFIs, change processes, and your familiarity with JCT and NEC forms of contract.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention specific projects or experiences that align with their current live projects, such as NHS or educational schemes, to demonstrate your suitability.
Showcase Your Achievements: In your application, include quantifiable achievements from previous roles. For example, discuss how you improved project efficiency or successfully managed a complex design process, which will resonate with their focus on attention to detail and organisational skills.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: Since the role involves leading teams and managing information flow, emphasise your leadership experience. Provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with clients, consultants, and subcontractors to ensure project success.
How to prepare for a job interview at Randstad
✨Understand the Company and Its Projects
Before your interview, research the company’s recent projects, especially those in the education, public sector, and commercial marketplaces. Being knowledgeable about their work will show your genuine interest and help you discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
As a Senior Design Manager, you’ll likely face technical questions related to design management, contract types (like JCT and NEC), and project delivery. Brush up on your knowledge of these areas and be ready to provide examples from your past experiences.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
The role involves managing teams and liaising with various stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style, how you handle conflicts, and examples of how you've successfully led projects from tender to construction phase.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Highlight your ability to identify potential issues and opportunities during the design process. Prepare specific examples where you’ve conducted value engineering exercises or navigated challenges effectively, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
