Design Manager in Antrim

ABOUT THORNTON: Thornton is a specialist contractor and fabricator delivering roofing, cladding, glazing, and metalwork systems across the UK and Ireland. We work across high-rise, commercial, industrial and public sector projects, providing technical design, fabrication and site delivery services.

SUMMARY OF ROLE: As the operational lead for the design department, the Design Manager directs the production, coordination, and delivery of all design information. The primary purpose of this role is to ensure that all team outputs meet the project programme, are aligned with commercially secured scope of works, while all design activities strictly adhere to the company’s Technical Governance Framework.

PURPOSE OF ROLE:

• Design programmes are live, realistic and aligned with project requirements.
• Design deliverables are issued on time and through the correct channels.
• Design development remains within the agreed scope of works.
• Technical risks, approval delays and coordination issues are identified early.
• The design team has clear priorities, standards and accountability.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the day-to-day activities of a multi-tiered design team comprising senior, intermediate, junior designers, draftsmen, document controllers & external consultants.
• Allocate resources across projects in line with agreed design programmes and business priorities.
• Provide consistent mentorship and technical guidance while holding individuals accountable for programme, compliance and quality standards.
• Build a high-performing, accountable design culture based on clarity of expectation, mutual respect and professional standards.
• Foster strong cross-functional relationships with commercial, preconstruction, manufacturing and site teams to ensure design is integrated rather than siloed.

• Implement and enforce the company’s Technical Governance Framework throughout the design development, procurement, & delivery phases ensuring all outputs align strictly with the approved compliance route & evidencing strategy set out by the preconstruction team.
• Escalate any proposed deviations from the frozen design position, specification, or performance criteria via the company’s standard operating procedures.

• Own and manage the Design Programme for all live projects, ensuring alignment with procurement, fabrication and site installation sequences.
• Apply BIM principles and ISO 19650 information management standards, including structured data environments, naming conventions and coordinated model-based design workflows.
• Produce and manage TIDPs, IRSs & utilise the company’s internal suite of design management tools.
• Manage overall design coordination to meet project milestones, maintaining controlled design status & version integrity within the company’s common data environment.
• Identify risks arising from delayed approvals, incomplete information or coordination conflicts and escalate appropriately.

• Ensure all design development remains strictly within the commercially secured scope of works and contractual obligations, identifying potential scope creep, specification drift or performance uplift at an early stage and escalating through formal change control procedures before implementation.
• Work collaboratively with the Commercial and Contracts teams to ensure design-led changes are properly documented, notified and commercially protected.
• Prepare and coordinate RFIs, technical submissions and formal design-related correspondence in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Ensure all issued design information is compliant, coordinated and fabrication-ready prior to release to procurement, manufacturing or supply chain.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the design team, encouraging learning, professional development, & the adoption of best practices.
• Maintain personal competence, ensuring skills, knowledge & regulatory awareness remain current and aligned with statutory requirements.
• Carry out any other duties as deemed required by senior management.

ESSENTIAL

• Qualification in Construction Management, Architectural Technology, Structural Engineering or similar.
• Experience managing a design team within the construction industry, including direct responsibility for programme, compliance and team performance.
• Experience interpreting consultant specifications and managing design development within defined contractual and commercial boundaries.
• Experience operating within ISO 9001-aligned quality management systems and structured Common Data Environments (e.g. Procore or similar).
• Experience working with Tier 1 Main Contractors and coordinating system manufacturers and specialist suppliers.
• Experience in working with JCT / NEC & Bespoke contract forms across a range of procurement routes.
• Experience liaising with system manufacturers & specialist suppliers, incorporating structured technical engagement, coordination of design development, & critical review of supplier technical information to ensure all proposals align with the contractual scope & established compliance baseline.

DESIRABLE

• Chartered status or working towards professional accreditation (ARB, CIAT, CIOB, RICS or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of thermal modelling and calculation software, such as Flixo, with the ability to interpret and apply outputs to coordinated façade and roofing design solutions.

• Independent, structured and process-driven design leader with proven experience managing and developing multi-level design teams within the construction sector.
• Strong technical competence in UK Building Regulations, associated Approved Documents and the Building Safety Act, with the ability to translate regulatory requirements into compliant, coordinated building envelope solutions incorporating fire, thermal and structural performance.
• Clear understanding of technical and contractual risk, with disciplined control of scope, change management and proportionate mitigation aligned to the company’s service offering.
• Commercially aware decision-maker who ensures design development remains within contractual obligations and protects margin.
• Confident in reviewing and implementing consultant and employer specifications, understanding performance responsibilities and compliance routes.
• Strong quality and governance mindset, capable of implementing structured workflows, documentation control and ISO-aligned processes without unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Digitally competent, with the ability to translate process into effective use of Common Data Environments and integrated digital workflows.
• Decisive and accountable leader who sets clear standards, challenges deviation where required and resolves conflict constructively.
• Clear and credible communicator, capable of influencing internal stakeholders, engaging external parties and delivering structured training where required.
• Highly organised and resilient under programme pressure, with strong analytical capability to identify root causes and drive issues through to resolution.
• Professional, discreet and reliable, maintaining confidentiality and fostering a constructive, performance-focused working environment.

• Travel to UK and Ireland project locations may be required.
• Flexibility may be needed for occasional out-of-hours meetings or site reviews.
• Opportunity to shape and establish a key management function in a growing business.

Thornton is an equal opportunities employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business need, and are not influenced by protected characteristics.