Technical Design Manger, Luxury Retail Fit-Out
Love the detail? Enjoy solving problems and seeing great designs come to life?
For fifty years, AD Baker has built luxury retail interiors where craft, engineering and brand vision meet. We started in product and furniture design, not conventional contracting, and that maker’s instinct still defines us.
Today we’re a fully integrated fit-out partner. We bring technical development, in-house manufacture and on-site delivery together under one roof in Hampton. We work with some of the world’s most exceptional brands, including Jacquemus, Dior, Hermès, The Row, Schiaparelli, Balenciaga, Diptyque, Burberry and Supreme. Our work covers flagships, rollouts and complex refurbishments across the UK and Europe.
Role opportunity
We’re looking for an experienced Technical Design Manager to join our team, translating our clients’ designs into accurate, coordinated and buildable solutions, from tender through to manufacture, installation and handover.
This is a hands on role for someone who understands how things go together, spots potential problems early and enjoys finding practical solutions that protect the original design intent. We’re looking for a technically sharp, organised self-starter to lead our drawing information from tender to handover.
Our job is to realise retail vision precisely. Your expertise lies in buildability; understanding how things go together, spotting where a detail won’t work on site or in the factory, and proposing practical solutions that protect the design intent. This role works closely with our project managers, in-house production team, site managers, client design teams and specialist contractors, you’ll help keep information flowing, resolve technical challenges and make sure everyone has what they need to do their job well.
You’ll be organised, proactive and technically minded, with a good eye for detail and a friendly, can-do approach. With several projects on the go at once, you’ll take ownership of your workload and help keep things moving.
What You’ll be doing
- Bring Designs to Life: Develop client and architect concepts into coordinated construction drawing packages, including general arrangement plans, reflected ceiling plans, elevations, sections, setting-out information and detailed construction drawings.
- Coordinate Bespoke Joinery: Work with our in-house technical designers, client-appointed designers and third-party manufacturers to ensure bespoke joinery and millwork are accurately detailed and ready for production and installation.
- Get the Details Right: Check internal and subcontractor drawings against project briefs, surveys and specifications, resolving discrepancies and managing drawing reviews and approvals within agreed timescales.
- Make It Buildable: Coordinate architectural layouts with building services, structural information, ceilings, landlord requirements and specialist designs. Establish clear setting-out references and resolve potential clashes before they reach site.
- Keep Drawings on Track: Take ownership of drawing registers, revisions, approvals and issue statuses, ensuring the correct, current information reaches site teams and manufacturers and superseded drawings are withdrawn.
- Stay One Step Ahead: Review tender information, surveys and landlord fit-out requirements, identify gaps or risks, raise technical queries and coordinate any additional survey or opening-up work needed.
- Maintain Consistency: Help maintain our CAD standards, drawing templates, standard details and document management systems, keeping project information organised, accessible and up to date.
- Protect Quality and Cost: Ensure technical information addresses relevant building regulations and health and safety requirements. Flag design changes that could affect cost or programme, working with project managers to ensure variations are properly assessed.
- See Projects Through: Coordinate landlord and building control submissions as required, and ensure accurate as-built drawings and technical records are ready for handover, O&M manuals and the Health & Safety File.
What You’ll Bring
- At least five years’ technical design experience in retail or commercial fit-out, including construction and joinery drawings.
- An HNC or degree in architectural technology, construction, interior architecture or a relevant discipline.
- Strong AutoCAD skills, excellent technical detailing and the ability to interpret and coordinate building services and structural drawings.
- A good understanding of bespoke joinery, manufacturing processes, installation requirements and construction detailing.
- Working knowledge of UK Building Regulations, CDM 2015, the Building Safety Act and drawing control procedures.
- Good organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage several live projects and competing deadlines.
- A proactive approach. You’re comfortable taking ownership, following things through, chasing outstanding information and asking the right questions.
- Clear communication skills and a helpful, collaborative manner. You enjoy working with different people and understand the importance of keeping everyone informed.
- Experience in luxury retail or high-end commercial interiors would be particularly valuable. Familiarity with Revit/BIM, SketchUp and document management systems such as Viewpoint or Asite would be advantageous. Professional membership of CIAT or CIOB, SMSTS, Principal Designer experience and a CSCS card would also be beneficial.
Why AD Baker Shopfitters
- Great Projects: work on bespoke interiors for some of the world’s most recognised luxury brands.
- Interesting Challenges: use your technical knowledge to solve problems and find practical solutions.
- A Team Effort: work alongside people who value collaboration, shared knowledge and a helpful, down-to earth approach.
- See the Results: follow your work from technical drawings through to manufacture and installation.
- Pride in the Detail: help deliver the quality, precision and craftsmanship our clients expect.
We don’t just build stores. We build the physical expression of a brand. If you enjoy getting into the detail, working with people to find solutions and seeing your work take shape in the real world, we’d love to hear from you.
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