Senior Design Manager

About this Role:

Experienced Senior Design Manager required by the South Coast office of this busy Tier 1 main contractor to work initially with the preconstruction team providing support to one of several large framework bids for schemes in the South Coast area, typically on national frameworks - DfE, SCF, DEOP, P23.

Initially working in the regional office, you will be involved in supporting bids, then preconstruction phase through PCSA to financial close and through construction phase on site.

Projects tend to be new build secondary schools, university faculty buildings, defence projects, health care schemes plus some commercial, sports and leisure schemes ranging from £40m to £150m in value.

Previous experience of working in preconstruction on larger projects would be useful.

Duties will include:

Management of the design development throughout preconstruction and construction phase;
Chairing regular design team meetings;
Management of consultant design team;
Regular liaison with client;
Engagement with and managing specialist sub-contractor design teams;
Agreement of information required schedule; Ensuring key dates achieved;
Dealing with local authorities to achieve planning permission;
Review of construction design information for buildability, compliance with contractors proposals, employers requirements, budget, current building legislation, etc;
Identifying opportunities for value engineering where appropriate;
Proactive issue resolution;
Overall management of the smooth and timely delivery of detailed design information for procurement and construction throughout the preconstruction and build process.

About the Company/Client/Project:

The company is the busy Southern office of a Tier 1 national main contractor, with experience and a proven track record in the delivery of new build and refurbishment schemes in education, healthcare, local authority, higher education sectors, etc in the Hampshire, Dorset areas.

Turnover is circa £150m+ for the region.

Requirements including certificates and qualifications:

Either from an Engineering/Construction delivery or Architectural background, with a proven track record of undertaking the Design Manager role with a Tier 1 main contractor, you will possess excellent technical and commercial knowledge, a keen understanding of construction methodology, materials and systems, procurement lead in times, etc.

For this particular role, previous experience of larger projects and / or university faculty buildings would be useful, but wider experience will be considered.

You will have excellent communication and negotiations skills, strong planning and problem solving ability, initiative and a positive approach. In terms of character, you will be a highly driven, positive and ambitious individual able to work well within a larger team dynamic.

You will ideally have a proven track record of successful project delivery with a Tier 1 Main Contractor in the Design Management role.

High standards, attention to detail and the drive to deliver on programme, specification and budget will be very well rewarded with excellent salary, benefits, promotional and development prospects.

For more information on this contract please contact Martin Olney on (phone number removed) or send your CV to

Candidates must be able to prove their eligibility to work in the UK
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed