Design Manager

We are looking for an experienced Design Manager to work with one of our trusted partners on a large, important, and interesting long-term contract opportunity. The contract is secured and is already on site. You will be required to support the Lead Design Manager on this classified project so all applicants must be prepared to go through the DBS, BPSS, and SC security clearance process. The contractor has their own UKSV terminal and so can progress applicants through the security clearance process. The Lead Design Manager is looking to retire soon. We anticipate a period of working alongside the Lead Design Manager and gradually taking on more responsibility as he steps back.
You will attend design team meetings, ensure notes are taken, actions are agreed and distributed to the relevant functions, and will also support the Net Zero requirements / DREEAM / Digital Strategy / MMC to help ensure all the key design deliverables are tracked and compliant with Building Standard. You will also be responsible for managing our designers (consultant and subcontract) to provide adequate, complete and compliant information to meet the design programme and to pass client approval gateways.
Our client is a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit out company.
They deliver vital projects across a range of sectors including justice, defence, aviation, water, health, education, highways, and environment.
As a UK regional contractor, they provide specialist design and build capabilities and are experienced at project management and integrating all aspects of a project.
With over 130 years of experience in the construction and engineering sector, they are a trusted partner of central and local government and are used to working closely with their customers and supply chain to achieve outstanding results.
Key responsibilities:

• Develop innovative design solutions to clients' briefs with input from the professional team and subcontractors.
• Develop relationships with clients during early concept stages; manage expectations of the project through regular communication and discussions regarding requirements and specifications.
• Manage the relationship for the whole project team - with the client, subcontractors and professional team resolve any queries.
• Identify and check contents for Contractors Proposals, qualifications list, design information and marketing documentation to accompany the tender.
• Adopt a proactive approach to value engineering throughout the design phase, by keeping up to date with latest construction techniques and legislation.
• Review the design on an ongoing basis, identify potential interface problems & practicalities in construction, and resolve with the design team and specialist subcontractors where appropriate.
• Ensure a smooth handover of the project to the project team, by becoming involved in the initial stages of project management on site, if required.
• Attend Contractor selection interviews, including preparation beforehand.
• Thoroughly appraise tender documentation when received to identify risk, opportunity, insufficient information, inadequate or incorrect design.
• Oversee the subcontract enquiries to subcontractor designed packages.
• Appoint / vet the Design Team. Ensuring terms and conditions of appointment/novation are acceptable, lead designer role is defined and all services we would normally expect are included.
• Manage the design team throughout the tender period and hold design team meetings as appropriate.
• Bid Management from first enquiry through to award of contract.
• Plan/manage the tender period to ensure that:

1. Sufficient design information is received in time.
2. In conjunction with the Estimator ensure that the BQ is prepared sufficiently early.
3. Design subcontractors have sufficient information to prepare quotations.
4. Information for presentation purposes is in-hand by consultants and other departments.

• Manage the relationship with the client and their team.
• Prepare the Tender submission presentation including delegation of certain elements to other departments or administrative staff as appropriate.
• Any other duties relevant to the role.

Required experience/qualifications/certs (essential):

• Must have experience with tier 1 contractors.
• Must have carried out design roles for project(s) of a similar size and complexity.
• Ideally will have worked on similar projects e.g., MOD, MOJ, Army, Navy, RAF, government high security facilities.
• Experience with Net Zero requirements / DREEAM / Digital Strategy / MMC.
• Competent user of MS packages e.g., Outlook, Excel, Word (essential).
• Experience of Powerproject Teamplan or similar (desirable)
• Causeway or similar estimating software (desirable).
• Comprehensive site experience in engineering or site management role (essential).
• Well-developed Technical Construction knowledge (essential).
• Knowledge of current Building Regulations (essential).
• Knowledge of current BREEAM/Passivhaus requirements (essential).
• Degree qualified in a relevant construction subject (essential).
• Professionally qualified e.g., MCIOB (desirable).
• Good eye for detail, confidence to challenge drawn information to improve detailing, buildability to create efficiencies.
• NEC contract experience
• Experience using Asite.
• Ability to communicate with a range of people at all levels (verbally and written).
• Must be adaptable and flexible.
• Excellent planning, organisation, and project management.
• Must be an analytical problem solver.
• Must be client and customer focused to build productive relationships.
• Must be able to make reasoned and informed judgements and decisions.
• Effective leadership skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group STEM Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.