Location Derby Office and Birmingham Site
Pay Rate £55,000 - £62,000 + Car + Package + Progression
Contract Permanent, Full Time
Start ASAP
A leading UK main contractor is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join the team on a new‑build school project. This is a key role on a flagship scheme, offering long‑term stability and excellent career progression within a profitable business.
The Role
You will take responsibility for managing the design process from pre‑construction through to delivery, working closely with consultants, site teams, and internal stakeholders to ensure the design is fully coordinated, compliant, and delivered to programme.
This role requires regular travel between the project site in Birmingham, and the office in Derby. Willingness to travel regularly between Birmingham and Derby is essential.
The Company
This is a respected and financially secure UK main contractor with a strong public‑sector pipeline and a reputation for doing things the right way. People stay because they’re trusted, supported, and given genuine opportunities to progress, within a collaborative business that invests in long‑term careers and delivers standout projects.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage the design process across all project stages
* Coordinate and manage external consultants and design information
* Ensure compliance with statutory and funding‑body requirements
* Identify and manage design risks and technical interfaces
* Chair and attend design team meetings
* Support construction teams throughout delivery
* Manage design changes and value engineering exercises
About You
* Experience working as a Design Manager, either with a main contractor or a specialist subcontractor
* Experience delivering government‑funded projects
* Education sector experience (schools, colleges, universities) is desirable, but not essential
* Strong understanding of design coordination and technical delivery
* Confident communicating with consultants, clients, and site teams
* Organised, proactive, and commercially aware
* Willing and able to travel regularly between Birmingham and Derby
What’s on Offer
* £55,000 – £62,000 salary, dependent on experience
* Attractive benefits package including a car
* Opportunity to lead a major public‑sector scheme
* Autonomy to own the design process on a major scheme
* Excellent career progression within a well‑structured business
* Long‑term project pipeline and stability
Key Words: Design Manager, Design Coordination, DfE, CF21, CF25, Main Contractor, Tier 1, Tier One, Frameworks
Salary description
£55000.00 - £62000.00 per year