At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design management for high-quality fit-out projects in London.
- Company: Join Tilbury Douglas, a top UK building and fit-out company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, private medical insurance, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and community involvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on innovative interior spaces while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in design management and strong technical knowledge of interiors required.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
We are looking to appoint an experienced Design Manager to join our Fit Out team, supporting high-quality refurbishment, workplace and interior fit-out projects across London. This is a hands-on role for someone who understands the pace, detail and coordination required to take complex Cat B schemes from pre-construction and design development through delivery, commissioning and handover.
You will be at the centre of the project team, protecting design intent while making sure every detail is buildable, coordinated and commercially deliverable. Working closely with clients, architects, consultants, specialist subcontractors and our site teams, you will resolve interfaces early, drive technical decisions and help turn ambitious concepts into exceptional finished spaces. The role offers real autonomy to influence design, quality, programme and the customer experience.
Key Duties
- Lead the design management process from tender and pre-construction through detailed design, construction, commissioning and handover on fast-paced fit-out projects.
- Coordinate interiors, MEP, specialist joinery, ceilings, partitions, finishes, furniture, AV/IT and other subcontractor design packages, ensuring interfaces are fully resolved before installation.
- Work closely with clients, architects and consultants to protect the design vision while challenging details for buildability, value, programme and compliance.
- Drive design workshops, technical reviews and early coordination to close out information gaps, design changes and clashes quickly, particularly where projects interface with existing buildings, landlord works or live base-build environments.
- Own design information flow, approvals, trackers, samples, benchmarks and technical submissions, ensuring the site team has the right information at the right time and that quality expectations are understood before works commence.
About You
You will be a proactive, detail-focused Design Manager who is comfortable operating at the sharp end of fit-out delivery. You will combine strong technical judgement with the pace, collaboration and commercial awareness needed to deliver high-specification interiors to demanding programmes.
You will bring:
- Proven design management experience on commercial fit‑out, workplace, high‑specification interiors, ideally including Cat B projects delivered on fast‑track programmes.
- Strong technical knowledge of interior construction, finishes and building services interfaces, with the ability to interrogate drawings and specifications, identify coordination risks and translate design intent into practical, buildable solutions.
- Experience coordinating architects, consultants and specialist subcontractors across packages such as partitions, ceilings, bespoke joinery, doors, flooring, lighting, MEP, AV/IT and furniture, with a strong eye for detail and quality.
- Confident management of design information and approvals, including design release schedules, RFIs, change control, samples, mock‑ups/benchmarks, technical submissions and close‑out information; BIM/model‑based design review experience is advantageous.
- Excellent client‑facing, stakeholder and problem‑solving skills, with the confidence to chair design workshops, challenge constructively and balance design quality, cost, programme, compliance and buildability to achieve the best finished product.
A construction, architectural, engineering or design‑related qualification is desirable, although strong fit‑out experience and a demonstrable track record of delivery will be equally valued. Professional membership (e.g. CIOB) is advantageous.
What We Can Offer You
- Competitive salary and car allowance.
- 26 days annual leave, with the option to buy or sell up to 3 days.
- Additional long service leave at 3, 7, and 10 years.
- Private medical insurance (with option to extend to family).
- Life assurance and pension matched up to 8%.
- Enhanced family leave policies.
- 2 volunteering days per year.
- Flexible and agile working (role dependent).
- Employee Assistance Programme, including financial advice.
- Payment of professional membership fees.
- Access to “Perks at Work” discount platform.
- Flexible benefits including critical illness cover, dental insurance, travel insurance, cycle to work scheme, and retail vouchers.
Who We Are
Tilbury Douglas is a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit‑out company. Our Fit Out business delivers high-quality interior and refurbishment projects, combining the technical strength and assurance of a major contractor with the agility, attention to detail and customer focus required in the fit‑out market.
Our people are at the heart of our success. We want our teams to take ownership, collaborate closely and find better ways to deliver. We are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages innovation and celebrates individual differences, and we are proud to hold Investors in Diversity status.
Please note: we do not hold a sponsorship licence. This role is subject to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.
Design Manager in London employer: Tilbury Douglas Group
Tilbury Douglas Group offers a dynamic work environment that fosters professional growth and collaboration. Employees have the opportunity to engage in meaningful projects across both public and private sectors, enhancing their skills and career trajectories. The company values strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, creating a supportive culture for its team members.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager in London
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Tilbury Douglas Group, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Design Manager at Tilbury Douglas Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tilbury Douglas Group
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
