Senior Design Manager
Location: Birmingham
Type: Full-time, permanent
Salary: Negotiable
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to oversee both tender and project stage design processes across major construction projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing design from early concept through to technical delivery and construction, ensuring compliance, coordination, affordability, and buildability throughout.
This role requires autonomy, strong leadership, and the ability to guide multidisciplinary teams while maintaining accountability for outputs and deliverables.
Key Responsibilities
Tender Stage – Pre-Contract
* Review tender information, including Employer’s Requirements and existing design team appointments, to establish outstanding design scope.
* Verify compliance, coordination, affordability, and buildability of design before tender settlement.
* Develop strategies for completion of design work with bid teams.
* Assess and negotiate services with novated design team members.
* Prepare fee enquiries and appoint supplementary design team members.
* Produce tender stage design programmes, deliverables, and procurement schedules.
* Establish a Common Data Environment (CDE) and produce draft Design Management Plan (DMP) and BIM Execution Plan (BEP).
* Engage with subcontractors to develop robust and innovative design solutions.
* Compile schedules of design assumptions, opportunities, and risks.
* Assist in reviewing subcontractor tender returns and alternative design proposals.
* Manage technical responses, design clarifications, and attend pre/post tender interviews.
* Undertake performance reviews for all design contributors.
Project Stage – Post-Contract
* Review project information, appoint the design team, and brief them on contractual obligations.
* Produce and agree project stage design programmes, deliverables, procurement, and installation/commissioning schedules.
* Establish CDE, file structures, workflows, and security protocols.
* Chair design coordination workshops and progress meetings.
* Monitor compliance with DMP and BEP throughout the project.
* Ensure new design documentation remains compliant, coordinated, affordable, and buildable.
* Manage planning conditions, building regulation approvals, and post-contract change control.
* Oversee design risk assessments, technical submissions, and subcontractor queries.
* Track performance against design quality KPIs and approve payment applications.
* Support final documentation handover, O&M manuals, health and safety files, and certifications (e.g., CDM, BREEAM).
* Undertake design autopsies and lessons learned reviews for continuous improvement.
What We’re Looking For
* Strong background in design management within construction projects, covering both tender and delivery stages.
* Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage subcontractor design input.
* In-depth knowledge of RIBA stages, BIM processes, design coordination, and compliance requirements.
* Strong communication, negotiation, and leadership skills with the ability to exercise broad judgement and autonomy.
* Capable of detailed analysis and solution-focused decision-making.
Level of Responsibility
This role requires an individual who can:
* Initiate and lead tasks and processes.
* Take responsibility for their own work as well as guiding and reviewing others.
* Exercise broad autonomy and judgement within defined parameters.
* Apply specialist knowledge to deliver high-quality design outcomes.
Our Client’s Culture & Values
Our client believe in trust, respect, teamwork, and mutual assistance, placing people before systems, while encouraging initiative and innovation at every level.