Design Manager

Winsearch is working with a prestigious specialist client in the façade and building envelope sector. They've been trading for more than 20 years in this area with extensive experience in major works design, facade remediation, and restoration to existing buildings- among many other areas. 

This client is now looking for a Design Manager to work out of their fantastic Portsmouth office. In this role you'll be delivering high-quality facade solutions across new builds, remediation, and complex refurbishment schemes across London, the South East, and the UK as a whole. This is a key role for someone who wants to take full ownership of design delivery on technically challenging projects. It's a leadership position where you'll take charge of facade and glazing design functions from tender all the way through to construction. 

Your day-to-day will be:

Managing façade & glazing design packages from pre-con through to site delivery
Reviewing employer’s requirements and technical specs — identifying risks and opportunities early
Appointing and managing designers, consultants, and structural engineers
Coordinating closely with commercial, estimating, and procurement teams
Ensuring all drawings, specs, and design outputs are delivered on time and to a high standard
Acting as the main technical point of contact for clients, architects, contractors, and regulators
Reviewing and signing off subcontractor and supplier designs
Managing the design risk register and leading design reviews
Supporting testing strategies (air, water, fire performance etc.)
Embedding H&S, CDM regs, sustainability, and fire safety into every stage of design
Working closely with site and production teams to ensure designs are practical and buildable
About you:

Around 7+ years’ experience in façade / glazing design or design management
Strong background working with:

Curtain walling
Rainscreen cladding
Windows & doors
Unitised façades or bespoke glazing systems

Good working knowledge of CWCT standards and UK Building Regulations
Experience using:

AutoCAD
Revit
Microsoft Project
Standard Microsoft Office tools
Façade software (e.g. SchüCal, LogiKal)

Nice to have:

Relevant degree (Architecture, Engineering, Façade Engineering, etc.)
Exposure to sustainability standards like BREEAM or LEED
Who'll do well:

A confident design leader who can manage multiple projects at once
Strong communicator — comfortable dealing with clients and senior stakeholders
Detail-focused, but still commercially aware
Solutions-driven with a proactive mindset
Big on safety, quality, and getting things right first time

You'll be joining a business with a strong pipeline of work, a solid industry reputation, and the opportunity to genuinely influence how facade design is delivered across a range of high-profile projects. If you're ready top step into a role where you can own the design process and make an impact, this is well worth the time it'll take you to apply. 

Our clients and their customers come from diverse backgrounds and so do we. We hire our people from various walks of life, each of whom make our company stronger with their talent, uniqueness, and expertise. This is what makes our company special; if you want to help us grow and take this ethos to our clients, then we cannot wait to collaborate with you!

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Many Thanks