Design Manager – Steel Frame D&B (Retail Parks / Logistics / Data Centres)
Location: Kent (office) + sites across Kent / East London (Bromley-by-Bow, Dartford, Tonbridge Wells)
Salary: £70,000 – £80,000 + package (car allowance, bonus, healthcare + more)
Type: Permanent | Hybrid office/site split | Fast-track projects
The Client
Our client is a fast-track Design & Build contractor and structural steel frame specialist, delivering a strong pipeline of new-build retail parks, logistics/industrial warehouses, and data centres supporting the e-commerce sector. Projects are typically £15m–£20m and delivered to demanding programmes with a high standard of design coordination and buildability.
The Role
As Design Manager, you’ll take ownership of design management across 2–3 live schemes within the region, ensuring the design is developed in line with Employer’s Requirements / Contract and delivered in the most cost-effective, buildable, and coordinated manner.
You will be the key link between the client, consultants, internal project teams, and supply chain, driving information flow and maintaining control of design programme, risk, change, and quality.
Key Responsibilities (including additional duties)
* Manage the end-to-end design process on 2–3 concurrent projects from pre-construction through delivery and handover.
* Lead design coordination to ensure fully integrated information across architecture, civils, structures, MEP, fire strategy, logistics, and temporary works where applicable.
* Own the design programme, including information release schedules, consultant deliverables, RFI management, and key gateways.
* Manage and chair design team meetings and workshops; produce clear actions, trackers, and progress reporting.
* Drive buildability, value engineering, and cost alignment—working closely with commercial, planning, and construction teams.
* Coordinate procurement design packages and support the development of robust procurement strategies with the supply chain.
* Ensure compliance with statutory approvals, planning conditions, Building Regulations, and relevant British Standards.
* Support technical queries on site, ensuring timely resolutions and minimising disruption to programme.
* Manage design change control, ensuring proper assessment of time/cost impact and accurate record keeping.
* Oversee document control requirements: approval status, revisions, and distribution to ensure “right first time” information.
* Contribute to lessons learned, improved processes, and continuous improvement across the region.
Projects
You’ll be split between the West Malling office and live sites, covering 2–3 schemes with upcoming projects in:
* Bromley-by-Bow
* Dartford
* Tonbridge Wells
Typical project example includes:
Industrial Warehouse – construction of a 250,000 sq ft single-storey warehouse/production unit with two-storey offices, reception, service yard and HGV parking, car parking, roads, landscaping and drainage. The warehouse comprises a multi-span structural steel portal frame.
What We’re Looking For
* Proven experience as a Design Manager / Design Coordinator / Senior Design Manager within a Main Contractor (D&B) environment.
* Strong understanding of steel frame buildings and fast-track delivery (warehouses, industrial, retail parks, logistics, data centres advantageous).
* Confident managing multiple projects simultaneously and communicating with stakeholders at all levels.
* Solid technical knowledge of design deliverables, consultant management, and construction sequencing/buildability.
* Familiar with design risk management, design change control, and coordinating consultant information release.
* Strong organisation and reporting skills; comfortable using trackers and document control systems.
* Relevant construction qualification (HNC/HND/Degree) preferred.
If the opportunity is of interest please respond the contact details provided