Role: Design Manager

Location: London

The Opportunity

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Design Manager to join a leading Tier 1 Main Contractor delivering projects within the education sector. This role offers the chance to manage the design process from pre-construction through to project completion, ensuring all design solutions are coordinated, technically compliant, buildable, and delivered in line with programme and client requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the design process throughout both pre-construction and project delivery.
• Coordinate the production, review, approval, and release of design information in line with project programmes.
• Lead Client Engagement Meetings (CEMs), design workshops, and multidisciplinary coordination meetings.
• Liaise with consultants, subcontractors, client representatives, Technical Advisors, and project teams to ensure coordinated design delivery.
• Ensure all designs comply with Building Regulations, statutory requirements, planning conditions, and relevant Department for Education standards.
• Drive digital construction, BIM Level 2 compliance, and sustainability objectives throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate complex Architectural, Structural, and MEPH design packages.
• Review designs for technical compliance, buildability, coordination, and value engineering opportunities.
• Develop consultant scopes of service and Design Responsibility Matrices (DRM).
• Manage Contractor Designed Portions (CDPs) and specialist design packages.
• Develop and manage the Design Programme, ensuring alignment with the Task Information Delivery Plan (TIDP) and Master Information Delivery Plan (MIDP).
• Identify, manage, and mitigate design-related risks.
• Produce regular internal and external design reports.

Essential Requirements

• Proven Design Management experience working for a UK main contractor is essential.
• Previous experience delivering DfE or education sector projects is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of the design and construction process from concept through to completion.
• Technical knowledge across Architecture, Structures, and MEPH disciplines.
• Experience reviewing designs for technical compliance, coordination, buildability, and value engineering.
• Working knowledge of BIM Level 2 requirements and digital construction processes.
• Experience using Revit, AutoCAD, and electronic document management systems, particularly Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) and Autodesk Forma.
• Experience developing consultant scopes, Design Responsibility Matrices, and managing design programmes.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and organisational skills.
• Collaborative, proactive, and solution-focused approach.

If you're interested in the role, apply with your CV today or get in touch directly.