Assistant Design Manager

Willmott Dixon are currently recruiting for an Assistant Design Manager to work on exciting new projects with our London & East construction business. With offices in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, and Chelmsford (Essex), we deliver projects across multiple sectors within north London, the northern home counties and East Anglia. This will be a hybrid role which will require a presence in our Hitchin office 3 days per week.

This role will involve assisting in collaborating with project stakeholders, including architects, engineers, works and goods partners, and customers, to help establish project requirements, objectives, and design criteria. Ideally you will have at least 1 year of main contractor experience.

Some of the duties / responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the design phase of construction projects from concept development to construction documentation, ensuring compliance with project objectives, codes, regulations, and standards, for example, fire, planning and building control, among others.
• Supporting with the selection and appointment of design partners, ensuring design responsibilities are correctly apportioned between them and the supply chain partners delivering the Contractor's Design Portion.
• Supporting with the selection and procurement of design solutions including modern methods of construction (MMC), materials, finishes, sustainable technology, ensuring they align with project specifications, budgets, and timelines with the wider project team.
• Preparing information for regular design reviews to assess progress, support the identification of potential risks or deviations, and implement corrective measures as necessary.
• Supporting with collaboration with architects, engineers, and other design professionals to develop comprehensive design plans, drawings, and specifications and work with the design manager to ensure that they accurately represent project requirements.
• Supporting with the coordination and management of external design consultants, reviewing and providing feedback on their work to ensure design integrity, consistency and quality.

Essential and Desirable Criteria:

• Able to use Microsoft suite of office programmes including Excel, Word, Outlook and Microsoft Project, Bluebeam, use appropriate software to review 3D models.
• Proficient working knowledge of the construction industry.
• Understanding of the different forms of procurement and frameworks.
• Have or be working towards professional qualifications or memberships relevant to your role e.g. CIOB membership.
• Valid driving licence.
• Appropriate CSCS card.

Some of the key attributes you have will include:

• Adaptable when dealing with people and managing relationships.
• Seeing the bigger picture and planning ahead.
• Working as part of a team.
• A good forward planner and excellent motivator.
• Able to identify and manage risk and opportunity.
• Constantly reinforce our customer first ethic.

At Willmott Dixon we provide an inclusive and flexible working environment for people to thrive in and we are happy to support agile working wherever possible. We are a proud member of the Disability Confident Scheme. In return we reward our people generously with a competitive package that gives you flexible benefits to fit your lifestyle and priorities. This includes but is not limited to, an enhanced pension scheme, full / heavily discounted private medical, life assurance, incentive bonus and a car scheme which will make us a market leader in sustainable company travel.

With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon’s purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive. Willmott Dixon was awarded No 1 in the Best "big" Companies (2022) to work for and the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2024 and is the first major contractor and developer to win a King’s Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.