Design Manager

DESIGN MANAGER

Basildon, Essex

Salary to £65,000 pa

My client, an award winning main contractor, is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join our project team on a major high-rise residential development in Basildon. The project is currently in RIBA Stage 5 (Construction), making this an excellent opportunity for a proactive professional with strong technical and coordination skills to take ownership of the design management process through to completion.

Working closely with the Project Director, Construction Manager and commercial team, you will ensure design information is coordinated, issued on programme and fully aligned with construction activities to support successful project delivery.

The Role

As Design Manager, you will be responsible for managing the design process during the construction phase, coordinating consultants, subcontractors and the site team to resolve technical issues and maintain programme certainty.

Key Responsibilities

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• Manage the design process throughout RIBA Stage 5, ensuring design information is delivered in line with the construction programme.
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• Coordinate architects, structural and MEP consultants, specialist subcontractors and client representatives.
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• Lead design coordination meetings, recording actions and driving issues through to resolution.
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• Review construction drawings, technical submissions and shop drawings to ensure buildability, compliance and coordination.
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• Manage RFIs, technical queries and design change requests, ensuring timely responses to avoid programme delays.
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• Coordinate the production, review and approval of subcontractor design packages.
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• Work closely with site management to resolve live construction and sequencing issues.
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• Ensure statutory approvals, Building Regulations and warranty provider requirements are incorporated into the design.
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• Maintain design trackers, drawing registers and technical documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
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• Identify design risks, clashes and opportunities for value engineering, working collaboratively with the commercial and construction teams.
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• Support quality assurance processes by ensuring design intent is accurately translated into construction.
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• Build and maintain effective working relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors and internal stakeholders.
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Candidate Requirements

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• Minimum 5 years' experience in a Design Manager, Senior Design Coordinator or Design Coordinator role with a recognised main contractor.
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• Demonstrable experience delivering RIBA Stage 5 construction projects, ideally within the residential sector.
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• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, sequencing and buildability.
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• Experience coordinating architectural, structural, façade and MEP design packages.
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• Ability to interpret and review technical drawings, specifications and design documentation.
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• Excellent communication, organisation and stakeholder management skills.
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• Proficient in common construction management and document control platforms.
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• Degree or HNC/HND qualified in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or a related discipline is desirable.
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Desirable Experience

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• High-rise reinforced concrete frame residential developments.
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• Mixed-use or Build-to-Rent projects.
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• Design & Build procurement.
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• Experience managing design during live construction phases.
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This is an opportunity to play a key role in delivering one of Essex's landmark residential developments, taking ownership of the design management function during the most critical stage of construction while working alongside an experienced project delivery team.