Save Job Back to Search Job Description Summary Similar JobsSenior Design Manager - Construction (Cut & Carve / Commercial / Residential)Lead technical due diligence and design strategy on complex London schemesAbout Our ClientThis opportunity sits within a leading Tier 1 construction and engineering business delivering complex, design-led projects across the UK. The organisation operates across key sectors including commercial, residential, healthcare, and civic developments, with a strong presence in London and a growing pipeline nationally.The business is currently in a critical growth phase, having secured and submitted multiple high-value tenders across London. With several projects due to land in mid-to-late May, they require an experienced Senior Design Manager to join at pace and take ownership of pre-construction and live project design management.Projects include complex cut & carve refurbishments in Central London, major fit-out schemes, co-living and residential developments, and technically challenging builds requiring compliance with the Building Safety Act. The organisation is known for being highly selective with clients and schemes, focusing on quality, technical excellence, and risk mitigation.Job DescriptionLead the design management process across pre-construction and delivery phases, with an initial focus on tendering and upcoming project mobilisationTake ownership of technical due diligence, identifying and mitigating design risks across complex cut & carve and refurbishment schemesManage and coordinate multi-disciplinary design teams, including consultants and specialist subcontractorsDrive design strategy across a range of projects including commercial fit-out, residential, co-living, and civic schemesLead on projects requiring compliance with the Building Safety Act, ensuring all regulatory and safety requirements are embedded from early stagesReview and challenge design information to ensure buildability, efficiency, and technical robustnessSupport and lead tender submissions, contributing to winning work and ensuring robust design proposalsDevelop and manage design programmes, deliverables, and information flow across multiple live and pre-construction projectsCollaborate closely with commercial, planning, and delivery teams to ensure alignment and successful project outcomesAct as a key interface with clients, presenting confidently and representing the business at a senior levelProactively identify project risks and opportunities, ensuring schemes are de-risked prior to commitmentProvide leadership within the design team, supporting junior staff where requiredThe Successful ApplicantProven experience operating at Design Manager or Senior Design Manager level within a main contractor environmentStrong background in commercial cut & carve and refurbishment projects, ideally within Central LondonDemonstrable experience in tendering and pre-construction design managementStrong technical due diligence capability, with a track record of identifying and mitigating design risksGood understanding of the Building Safety Act and its implications on design and deliveryExperience across a mix of sectors including commercial, residential, co-living, or healthcareConfident communicator with the ability to present and represent the business effectively to clients and stakeholdersCommercially aware, with the ability to contribute to winning work and delivering cost-effective solutionsHighly organised, proactive, and capable of hitting the ground running in a fast-paced environmentDegree-qualified in a relevant discipline (e.g. Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management)Preference for candidates from a contractor background rather than purely architecturalAvailability to start within 1 month (or immediately available candidates highly desirable)What's on OfferSalary up to £95,000 per annumCompetitive benefits package including pension and annual leaveOpportunity to join at a pivotal time with multiple major project awards pendingExposure to complex, high-profile London schemes including cut & carve and technically challenging developmentsStrong pipeline of secured and upcoming work across multiple sectorsFast-paced, collaborative environment with clear potential for progression as the team continues to growImmediate involvement in live tenders and upcoming project winsContactDoug BichanQuote job refJN-052026-7010247Phone number+442072692407Job summaryJob functionPropertySubsectorArchitecture / DesignSectorPropertyLocationCity of LondonContract typePermanentConsultant nameDoug BichanConsultant phone+442072692407Job referenceJN-052026-7010247
