Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design processes for high-end construction projects and ensure quality delivery.
- Company: Specialist contractor known for prestigious projects in motorsport, healthcare, and commercial sectors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, private medical, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities in a dynamic and ambitious environment.
- Why this job: Join a growing team and work on innovative projects that make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 3+ years as a Design Manager with experience in high-value construction projects.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 85000 ÂŁ per year.
A specialist Construction Management contractor delivering high-end construction and refurbishment projects across the Motorsport, Commercial Office and Healthcare sectors is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join its expanding team.
Working on technically challenging and innovative schemes valued between £2m–£20m, this is an excellent opportunity to join a growing business delivering prestigious projects for high-profile clients.
The Role
As Design Manager, you will play a key role throughout both the design and construction phases of projects. Working closely with the Project Management team, you will manage and coordinate the design and engineering process from pre-construction through to project delivery. You will be responsible for ensuring that project teams, consultants and construction partners develop technically robust and commercially effective solutions, while maintaining programme, quality and compliance standards.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing and coordinating the design process across multiple projects
- Liaising with clients, consultants, subcontractors and delivery teams
- Ensuring design information is delivered accurately and on programme
- Driving a “right first time” approach to design quality and compliance
- Identifying opportunities to improve value, buildability and affordability throughout the design process
- Supporting project delivery teams in resolving technical and design-related issues
- Monitoring design progress against programme milestones and contractual requirements
About You
The successful candidate will possess:
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a Design Manager role within a Principal Contractor or Tier 1 Contractor environment
- Proven experience delivering construction or refurbishment projects valued between £2m–£20m
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills
- A collaborative and proactive approach to project delivery
- A solid understanding of procurement routes and contract forms, particularly:
- JCT Design & Build
- JCT SBC/IC with Contractor Design Portions (CDP)
What’s on Offer
- Basic salary of £75,000 – £85,000 DOE
- Company car or car allowance
- Annual bonus
- Private medical insurance
- 25 days annual leave
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge, high-profile projects within Formula One, healthcare and commercial sectors
- Genuine long-term career progression within a growing specialist contractor
This is a unique opportunity for a Design Manager who enjoys technically challenging projects and wants to work with an ambitious contractor delivering exceptional schemes in the £2m–£20m range for prestigious clients.
Design Manager in Reading employer: Whiteoak Associates
Contact Detail:
Whiteoak Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager in Reading
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with industry professionals! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Design Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Create a portfolio that highlights your best work in high-end construction and refurbishment. We recommend including case studies that demonstrate your ability to manage design processes and deliver projects on time. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and understanding their recent projects. We suggest practising common interview questions related to design management and being ready to discuss how you’ve tackled challenges in past roles. Confidence is key!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through us not only shows your interest but also gives you a better chance of getting noticed. We’re here to help you find that perfect Design Manager position!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in Reading
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 delivering projects in the £2m–£20m range. 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 our team. Mention specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the high-end construction and refurbishment work we do.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills: We value strong relationship-building skills, so be sure to mention your experience liaising with clients, consultants, and subcontractors. Give us examples of how you've successfully managed these relationships in past projects.
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 this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whiteoak Associates
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of projects the company has worked on, especially in high-end construction and refurbishment. Be ready to discuss similar projects you've managed, focusing on your role in ensuring design quality and compliance.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Since the role involves liaising with clients, consultants, and subcontractors, prepare examples that highlight your relationship-building and stakeholder management skills. Think of specific instances where you successfully navigated challenges or improved collaboration.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Knowledge
Brush up on your understanding of procurement routes and contract forms, particularly JCT Design & Build and JCT SBC/IC. Be prepared to discuss how these affect design responsibility and project delivery, as this will show your depth of knowledge in the field.
✨Emphasise a 'Right First Time' Approach
The company values a 'right first time' approach to design quality. Prepare to talk about how you’ve implemented this in past projects, including any strategies you used to ensure accuracy and compliance throughout the design process.