Design Manager
Client: Tier 2 Main Contractor
Sector: D&B Industrial / Commercial / Motor Retail / Leisure / Education Location: Office-Based, Warwickshire (with national project travel as required) Engagement: Permanent
Salary/Package: Up to £70k + £5k car allowance + discretionary annual bonus (typically £5k–£10k)
Start: ASAP – subject to successful interview We are working on behalf of a well-established regional Design & Build main contractor to appoint a Design Manager to join their growing team and support the delivery of multiple live projects across the UK.
The business delivers fast-paced, steel frame-led construction projects across a range of sectors including:
Industrial & logistics
Motor retail
Commercial
Education
Retail & leisure
Social care The Role
This position will take responsibility for managing the design coordination process across 2–3 live projects at any one time. Working under JCT D&B contracts, the Design Manager will act as the key link between client-side consultants and subcontract design teams throughout the project lifecycle.
You will:
Coordinate consultant and subcontract design packages from inception through to completion
Ensure design information is delivered in line with programme
Chair and manage design team meetings
Monitor progress against design release schedules
Manage RFIs and resolve design queries
Liaise closely with Commercial & Project teams
Support value engineering opportunities
Ensure design compliance with statutory approvals and accreditations (e.g. Building Regs, planning, BREEAM)
Maintain strong working relationships with external consultants and subcontractors
Oversee design-related risks and buildability challenges The role will also involve:
Supporting pre-construction activity including tender reviews
Managing design progress on live sites
Supporting project completion and handover documentation Key Environment
Office-based role in Warwickshire
National travel for site visits as required
Typically managing shell & core / steel frame projects
Working closely with novated consultants Salary & Package
Salary negotiable – up to £70k (dependent on experience)
£5k car allowance
Annual discretionary bonus typically £5k–£10k Ideal Background
This opportunity would suit a Design Manager currently working within:
Industrial / logistics construction
Commercial build environments
Steel frame / fast-track projects
Main contractor delivery roles Experience working under Design & Build contracts is essential. Typically, we are looking for candidates with 10–15 years of diverse building experience and a solid grounding in construction design, detailing, and stakeholder management.
Please apply with your up-to-date CV, full contact details (including postcode) and availability to arrange a call to: (url removed)
Paid Referral Scheme – up to £500* If you can recommend a suitable candidate who results in a successful permanent placement, we offer a referral fee of up to £500 (*T&Cs apply)