Design Manager in Lambeth

Design Manager Location: South East London (Office-based with regular site visits) Sector: Façade, Building Remediation & Construction - Main Contractor Area of Operation: London and the South East Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent A specialist construction contractor based in South East London, delivering façade, building remediation and external envelope projects across London and the South East. Due to continued growth and an expanding project portfolio, our client are looking to recruit an experienced and proactive Design Manager to join the team. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual who can take ownership of the design process across multiple projects, ensuring designs are coordinated, compliant and delivered in line with programme, budget and quality expectations. The Role The successful candidate will take responsibility for managing and coordinating the design process across several live projects at any one time, working closely with internal teams, clients, consultants, subcontractors and site-based personnel. The role will be primarily office-based at our South East London office, with regular visits to project sites across London and the South East. You will play a key role in ensuring that design information is developed, coordinated and issued in a timely manner, supporting the successful delivery of façade replacement, remediation and external envelope projects. The ideal candidate will be highly organised, commercially aware and confident managing competing priorities across multiple projects, with the ability to work independently and drive the design process forward. Key Responsibilities Manage and oversee the design process across multiple live façade and remediation projects simultaneously. Coordinate design teams, architects, structural engineers, façade consultants, fire engineers and specialist subcontractors. Manage the preparation, review and approval of drawings, specifications, technical submissions and design information. Ensure designs meet relevant building regulations, fire safety requirements, industry standards and project specifications. Review design proposals to identify potential technical issues, design risks and opportunities for value engineering. Monitor design programmes and ensure information is issued in line with project deadlines and construction requirements. Coordinate with project managers, site managers and commercial teams to ensure designs are aligned with construction programmes and budgets. Attend design team meetings, client meetings and project progress meetings. Undertake regular site visits to review progress, assess design-related issues and ensure works are being delivered in accordance with approved designs. Manage technical queries (TQs), requests for information (RFIs) and design changes throughout the project lifecycle. Maintain accurate design trackers, drawing registers, design risk registers and technical documentation. Ensure appropriate design sign-off, approvals and document control procedures are followed. Provide technical support to site teams and assist in resolving design-related challenges during construction. Identify opportunities to improve design coordination, processes and project delivery. The successful candidate will ideally demonstrate: Previous experience working as a Design Manager, Design Coordinator or in a similar technical management role within the construction industry. Experience working for a main contractor or specialist subcontractor. Strong knowledge of façade systems, external envelopes, cladding and building remediation works. Experience working on façade replacement, recladding, fire safety and building remediation projects would be highly advantageous. Good understanding of current building regulations, fire safety requirements and relevant construction standards. Experience coordinating multiple design consultants and subcontractors across several projects. Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications and construction details. Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines. Excellent communication and coordination skills, with confidence dealing with clients, consultants and site teams. A proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to work independently. Good IT skills, including experience with Microsoft Office and drawing/document management systems. We are looking for someone who is: Highly organised and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Proactive, driven and comfortable taking ownership of their responsibilities. Commercially aware, with an understanding of the relationship between design, programme, cost and buildability. Confident communicating with people at all levels of a project team. Practical and solutions-focused, with the ability to resolve technical challenges. Comfortable working in a fast-paced contractor environment where priorities can change. What We Offer Competitive salary, dependent on experience. Opportunity to join an established and growing specialist contractor. Exposure to a varied portfolio of façade and remediation projects across London and the South East. A key position within the business with genuine responsibility and autonomy. Opportunities for professional development and career progression. A collaborative working environment with the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the company's continued growth