Design Manager – Education & Student Accommodation – Bristol
Location: Bristol (projects across the South West)
Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 + Car Allowance + Full Package
Sector: Main Contractor – New Build Education & Student Accomm
Start Date: ASAP
Flexible Working: 2–3 days remote with site and office attendance
Design Manager – The Company
A leading Tier 1 UK main contractor with an excellent reputation as a top employer and strong regional presence across the South West.
The business delivers complex new build projects typically ranging from £10m to £75m+ across Education and Student Accommodation sectors. With a secured pipeline of work and repeat clients, this is a stable and growing regional team offering clear long-term progression.
Design Manager – The Role
An opportunity for an experienced Design Manager with proven Education or Student Accommodation experience to take ownership of the design process on major new build schemes.
Working alongside the Senior Design Manager and operational teams, you will manage design through RIBA Stages 4 & 5, ensuring coordination, compliance and programme alignment across consultants, subcontract designers and client stakeholders.
Key responsibilities include:
* Leading and chairing design team meetings
* Managing drawings, specifications and contract documentation
* Carrying out technical and buildability reviews
* Managing design programmes and information release schedules
* Driving value engineering and risk mitigation
* Coordinating BREEAM, Part L and statutory submissions
* Managing Building Control and planning condition approvals
* Controlling design change and RFIs
* Leading client design workshops and managing approvals
* Supporting construction teams through delivery and handover
Design Manager – The Person
* Experience as a Design Manager within a national or established regional main contractor
* New build Education or Student Accommodation experience
* Strong RIBA Stage 4 & 5 knowledge (architectural background considered)
* Experience on projects £15m+
* Commercial awareness within a Design & Build environment
* Confident communicator able to manage consultants and client relationships
The Reward
* £60,000 – £70,000 salary
* Car allowance and full benefits package
* Flexible working structure
* Long-term South West pipeline
* Clear progression within a leading Tier 1 contractor
For more information on this Design Manager Bristol opportunity, contact Foresight Search