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- Tasks: Lead design projects from start to finish, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Established Leeds-based construction firm with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, bonus scheme, and career development.
- Other info: Join a growing team with excellent progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact on diverse, high-quality projects across the UK.
- Qualifications: Experience in design management within commercial construction.
Are you a Design Manager looking to take ownership of projects across a diverse commercial portfolio? Our client, a well-established and growing Leeds-based construction business, is seeking a Design Manager to play a key role in delivering high-quality schemes across multiple sectors nationwide.
About the Company
This contractor has built a strong reputation for delivering projects across a variety of commercial sectors, including:
- Leisure
- Office developments
- Care facilities
- Residential schemes
- Retail projects
With a strong pipeline of work and continued growth, they are looking to strengthen their pre-construction and delivery team with an experienced Design Manager.
The Role
As Design Manager, you will be responsible for managing the design process from pre-construction through to project completion, ensuring that designs are coordinated, compliant, and delivered to programme. You will act as the key link between clients, consultants and delivery teams, ensuring all design outputs meet technical, commercial and operational requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and coordinate the design process across multiple projects
- Lead design meetings and drive collaboration between internal teams and external consultants
- Review and manage design programmes to ensure key milestones are met
- Ensure compliance with building regulations, planning conditions and technical standards
- Identify and mitigate design risks and resolve technical issues
- Support pre-construction activities including tender reviews and value engineering
- Oversee production and approval of design information for construction
- Liaise with site teams to ensure smooth design implementation on projects
- Drive quality and buildability throughout the design lifecycle
About You
- Proven experience in a Design Manager / Senior Design Coordinator role within construction
- Experience working across commercial build projects (e.g. office, retail, residential, leisure, care)
- Strong understanding of the design process, construction methods and regulations
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and drive design coordination
- Experience working with main contractors is highly desirable
- Excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving skills
- Proficient in design management tools and Microsoft Office
- Relevant construction or design qualification (e.g. Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management)
What's on Offer
- Competitive salary (DOE)
- Company car or car allowance
- Bonus scheme
- Pension contribution
- Ongoing career development and progression opportunities
- Opportunity to work on diverse, high-quality projects nationally
Design Manager in Leeds employer: Real
Contact Detail:
Real Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Design Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and their projects. We want you to show off your knowledge about their work in leisure, office developments, and more. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with managing design processes and coordinating teams. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror to boost your confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our growing team.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Design Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing design processes and working across various commercial projects. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to manage design teams and deliver high-quality projects.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Design Manager, communication is key. In your application, highlight instances where you've successfully liaised with clients, consultants, and delivery teams. We want to know how you keep everyone on the same page!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Real
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of projects the company has worked on. Familiarise yourself with their portfolio, especially in sectors like leisure, office developments, and residential schemes. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Design Process Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss your approach to managing the design process. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully coordinated designs, met compliance standards, and resolved technical issues. This will demonstrate your expertise and ability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Expect questions about how you manage multiple stakeholders and drive collaboration. Think of examples where you've led design meetings or liaised between clients and consultants. Showing that you can effectively communicate and coordinate will be key to impressing them.
✨Bring Your Problem-Solving Skills to the Fore
During the interview, be ready to discuss challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. This could include design risks you identified or technical issues you resolved. Demonstrating your problem-solving skills will show that you're equipped to handle the complexities of the Design Manager position.