Design Manager
Location: Manchester
The Opportunity
We are currently working with a leading North West Contractor who are seeking an experienced Design Manager to support the delivery of a £30 million, 12-storey residential apartment scheme in Manchester.
This is a high-profile, urban residential development requiring a Design Manager with strong technical knowledge, excellent coordination skills, and proven experience managing the design process on multi-storey residential projects from pre-construction through to completion.
The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring design information is coordinated, compliant, and issued in line with the construction programme, working closely with the Project Manager, site teams, consultants, and subcontractors.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing the design process from pre-construction through delivery
- Coordinating consultants, architects, engineers, and specialist designers
- Ensuring design information is fully coordinated, buildable, and issued on time
- Managing design risk, change control, and design queries (RFIs)
- Reviewing drawings and specifications for compliance with employer’s requirements
- Supporting value engineering and buildability reviews
- Ensuring compliance with building regulations, planning conditions, and fire strategy
- Maintaining the design programme aligned with the construction programme
- Attending design team meetings and reporting progress to senior stakeholders
- Supporting technical approvals, warranties, and handover documentation
Candidate Requirements
- Proven experience as a Design Manager on multi-storey residential or mixed-use projects
- Strong understanding of the design and construction process within a main contractor environment
- Experience coordinating complex design packages and specialist subcontractors
- Sound knowledge of building regulations, fire safety, and technical compliance
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills
- Relevant construction or design-related qualification (Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or similar)
- Professional accreditation (MCIOB, RIBA, CIOB, ICE or similar) desirable
What’s on Offer
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunity to work on a flagship Manchester residential development
- Long-term project pipeline with a growing and reputable contractor
- Collaborative and supportive working environment
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