Design Manager (Birmingham)

Overview

In this role, you will lead the design process for refurbishment and building improvement works on a major Birmingham programme. You’ll coordinate multiple design disciplines, ensure buildability and compliance, and minimise disruption within a live, occupied building. You’ll partner with project, commercial and planning teams to manage risks and drive improvements. The opportunity combines hands-on design leadership with a strategic, cross-functional impact on a high-profile project.

Pay / Benefits

• Hybrid and flexible working opportunities
• 25 days’ annual leave
• Company pension
• Share incentive scheme
• Family-friendly policies
• Professional training and development

Responsibilities

• Lead the design process for refurbishment, remediation and building improvement works
• Manage multidisciplinary design teams across architectural, structural and MEP disciplines
• Drive design development from feasibility through construction
• Coordinate works within a live, occupied operational environment
• Manage design programmes and information release aligned with construction needs
• Provide technical input on fire safety, compliance and modernization
• Oversee consultants, specialist subcontractors and external design partners
• Review existing building constraints and develop practical, buildable solutions
• Ensure designs meet Building Regulations and Building Safety Regulator requirements
• Collaborate with project, commercial and planning teams to mitigate design risks
• Liaise with authorities, building control and key stakeholders
• Identify opportunities for innovation, efficiencies and continuous improvement

Key requirements

• Proven experience as Design Manager or Senior Design Manager in construction
• Strong refurbishment, remediation, building improvement or major maintenance experience
• Experience delivering projects within occupied or live environments
• Solid understanding of Building Regulations and building safety requirements
• Experience with fire safety improvements and compliance-led construction works
• Experience coordinating architectural, structural and MEP design
• Strong buildability and programme awareness
• Experience managing external consultants and subcontractor design packages
• Good knowledge of BIM and digital design processes
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• A valid CSCS card
• Relevant professional membership would be advantageous

• Stakeholder management and communication
• Collaborative team leadership
• Problem solving and adaptability
• BIM and digital design processes
• Coordination of architectural, structural and MEP design
• Buildability and programme awareness

…