Design Manager in Welwyn Garden City

A leading main contractor is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join its team in Hertfordshire, specialising in fire remediation, façade remediation and re-cladding projects across Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs). This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing business delivering technically complex refurbishment and remediation schemes, where you will play a key role leading the design process from pre-construction through to project completion.

The successful candidate will take full technical responsibility for allocated projects, managing and coordinating the design process to ensure compliance, programme certainty and successful project delivery. You will provide technical support during tender stages and work closely with consultants, subcontractors and operational teams throughout construction. Previous experience delivering major refurbishment, fire remediation and re-cladding projects is highly advantageous. This role may also include mentoring or line management responsibilities for junior design team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate design activities from tender through to construction completion.
• Manage façade remediation and re-cladding design packages on Higher-Risk Buildings.
• Provide technical support during pre-construction and tendering phases.
• Coordinate architects, consultants, specialist subcontractors and project delivery teams.
• Ensure designs comply with current building regulations, fire safety legislation and industry standards.
• Manage design programmes using Asta Powerproject or Microsoft Project.
• Review technical submissions, RFIs and consultant design information.
• Drive design coordination and resolve technical issues efficiently.
• Support procurement and construction teams with buildability and sequencing input.
• Utilise Common Data Environments such as Viewpoint for Projects and Fieldview.
• Support BIM and digital design coordination processes.

Essential

• Proven experience as a Design Manager within a main contractor or specialist façade/cladding environment.
• Strong background delivering fire remediation, façade remediation or re-cladding projects.
• Experience working on Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs).
• Detailed understanding of major construction methods including RC frames, structural steel, timber and masonry.
• Experience supporting single and two-stage tender processes.
• Working knowledge of JCT, PPC and NEC contracts.
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing, procurement and design coordination.
• Experience using Asta Powerproject or Microsoft Project.
• Familiarity with BIM processes and Common Data Environments.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Relevant qualification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or a related field.

Desirable

• Membership of a professional body such as CIOB, RICS, RIBA or ICE.
• Additional qualifications in BIM, Project Management, Health & Safety or Environmental disciplines.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• 25 days annual leave plus public holidays.
• Life cover equivalent to 2x annual salary.
• Employee discount schemes and gym membership discounts.
• Cycle to work and holiday purchase schemes.
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• Employee referral programme.
• Access to wellbeing support and employee assistance programmes.
• Opportunity to work on high-profile, technically challenging remediation projects.