Design Manager - Yorkshire

Job Title: Design Manager

Location: Yorkshire

Salary: £50,000 - £60,000

Type: Permanent

Start Date: Immediately (flexible for notice periods)

You will be a key member of the senior project team responsible for the design function and team (both internally and externally) on live schemes. The role will also involve working with our Work Winning Department on tenders to help secure our future work.

Managing and co-ordinating the design of a range of projects of varying complexity and value from tender stage through to the completion of construction stage design information. To utilise construction knowledge and experience to support innovative cost-effective and low carbon design solutions in conjunction with the appointed design partner and the project team, apply value engineering principles to ensure best value for all parties, and ensure an effective construction phase by applying an understanding of site management practices, interface management, risks, costs and co-ordination.

You will have a proven track record of undertaking design management activities at both tender and construction stages. This experience will include working on contracts principally across the non-infra water sector.

The role will require assistance to the commercial team in the preparation of contracts with Design Partners and assessing and challenging estimates to ensure value for money is being provided.

Duties

1. Support and encourage the development of innovative low-carbon design solutions in response to client briefs, collaborating with the appointed design partner, project team, and subcontractors.
2. Foster strong relationships with appointed design partners by reviewing their competencies, ensuring design deliverables are met on time, challenging costs and buildability, and auditing their performance, addressing any concerns promptly.
3. Build relationships with clients during the early concept phases, managing project expectations through regular communication and discussions about requirements and specifications.
4. Chair and document design team meetings and workshops to find cost-effective solutions that align with procurement and construction requirements.
5. Oversee the design relationship across the entire project team—client, subcontractors, and professionals—resolving any queries as they arise.
6. Understand the processes, risks, and opportunities involved in managing design in accordance with Employer’s Requirements and Contractors' Proposals.
7. Review and verify the contents of Contractors' Proposals, qualifications, design documents, and marketing materials for tenders, ensuring that the design is delivered in compliance with these parameters.
8. Adopt a proactive approach to value engineering during the design phase, staying informed of the latest construction techniques and legislation.
9. Ensure the scope sheets for each package align with the duties schedule and use them to inform design and procurement programs, guiding the design team accordingly.
10. Contribute to the development of procurement and construction programs, managing the flow of information from consultants and subcontractors, and identifying and addressing any performance issues promptly.
11. Monitor and drive progress using relevant KPIs for the design process, ensuring that targets are met.
12. Regularly review the design to identify potential interface issues or construction challenges, resolving them with the design team and specialist subcontractors.
13. Manage and coordinate the timely transfer of as-built information from the Design Partner to the Project Team during the closeout phase.
14. Participate in subcontractor selection interviews and ensure thorough preparation in advance.
15. Review subcontract enquiries for subcontractor-designed packages.
16. Appoint and evaluate Design Coordinators, ensuring their terms and conditions of appointment are acceptable.

Skills and Experience

1. Ability to communicate with a range of people at all levels, both verbally and in writing.
2. Adaptable and flexible.
3. Ability to plan, report, organise and project manage, especially in relation to programme output.
4. Analytical problem solver.
5. Client and customer focused to build productive relationships.
6. Ability to make reasoned and informed judgements and coordinate decisions.
7. Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
8. Prepared to be flexible and work in Contractors, Client & Designers office and visit sites if required.
9. Effective leadership skills.
10. Competent user of MS packages e.g. Outlook, Excel, Word.
11. Experience of P6, Microsoft Project or similar (desirable).
12. Competent user of Collaborative platforms.
13. Well-developed Technical Construction knowledge.
14. Knowledge and experience of various design standards (e.g. WIMES, Client Standards).
15. Degree qualified in a relevant construction subject.
16. Professionally qualified e.g. C.Eng or MCIOB (desirable).

What the Client Offers

1. Competitive salary (to be discussed on application).
2. Car allowance.
3. 26 days annual leave (with the opportunity to buy or sell up to 3 days holiday).
4. Private medical insurance for yourself (with the option to buy family cover).
5. Life Assurance.
6. Defined contribution pension scheme matched up to 8%.
7. 2 days volunteering opportunities.
8. Flexible and Agile working (dependent on your role).
9. Employee Assistance Programme.
10. Professional membership fees.
11. Flexible Benefits scheme which includes the opportunity to purchase benefits such as:
12. Critical illness insurance (with option to purchase for your partner).
13. Dental Insurance.
14. Travel insurance.
15. Cycle to work scheme.
16. Retail vouchers/payroll giving/activity pass for top leisure attractions.

About the Client

Our client is a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit-out company. We deliver vital projects across a range of sectors including health, education, highways, justice, defence, aviation, water and environment.

Next Steps:

Apply to this Job Title role through this advert. If you would like more information about this role, please contact our Industrial team.

If successful, you will need to digitally register with our agency (if you haven’t already done so). If you have not been contacted regarding your application within 7 days please assume that you have not been successful. We will however retain your application for any future roles for which you may be suitable.

About Regional Recruitment Services

This position is advertised by Regional Recruitment Services Ltd, an award-winning independent recruitment agency that has been operating since 2008. We offer permanent, temporary and contract jobs within the Commercial, Construction, Industrial and Engineering sectors. To view all of our positions available throughout the United Kingdom, please visit our website.