Design Manager

TL;DR

Design Manager (Construction/Residential): Responsible for all design and technical aspects of projects to ensure delivery on budget and programme with an accent on coordinating external consultants and managing design compliance for approvals. Focus on leading design processes end-to-end, producing and controlling design programmes, and driving buildability, value engineering, and risk elimination across design, procurement, and construction.

Location: Lewisham, London, United Kingdom

Company

hirify.global delivers critical infrastructure projects across utility and social infrastructure sectors.

What you will do

• Lead technical and design processes across design, procurement, and construction; manage design teams and subcontractors and monitor progress for on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Manage technical design of schemes against the agreed programme, ensuring company targets are met and maximizing revenue through quality, cost effectiveness, and buildability.
• Review and appraise design information for allocated bids; assess requirements and compliance, identify value engineering opportunities, and prepare design programme and contractor proposal inputs.
• Produce, develop, control, and manage project-specific design programmes, scoping, procurement of consultant/subcontractor designers, and regular progress reporting.
• Fulfil CDM Principal Designer and Building Regulations Principal Design (Designated Individual) responsibilities; ensure coordinated building design across disciplines (fire safety, structures, M&E, façades, internal specifications, service and maintenance strategies).
• Oversee document control and information workflows; manage design approvals, change control for variations, submissions to Planning Authorities/Building Control, RFIs close-out, and handover deliverables (golden thread, H&S files, O&M manuals, resident packs).

Requirements

• Proactive leadership with strong ability to coordinate and influence across managers, prioritize and delegate, and communicate effectively under pressure and to strict deadlines.
• Proven track record managing all aspects of the design and technical process for residential buildings.
• Ability to review drawings and identify buildability and technical issues; strong technical knowledge to assess, challenge, and monitor design compliance.
• Up-to-date construction industry knowledge including relevant legislation and procedures; understanding of building safety legislative framework (Building Safety Act, Building Regulations dutyholder roles & competency requirements, HRB Procedure Regulations).
• Experience in designer scoping and knowledge of methodology/sequencing for construction project delivery including design and pre-construction activities.
• Valid driving licence.

Nice to have

• Experience with high-rise development.
• Experience with CAD (AutoCAD or Revit) and knowledge/understanding of BIM.
• Knowledge of PAS9980 fire risk assessments, EWS1s, and FRAEW; temporary works knowledge.
• Member of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIOB, CIAT, RICS).
• Minimum Level 4 (HNC/NVQ4 or equivalent) architectural qualification (or equivalent design/technical/construction-based qualification).

Culture & Benefits

• Permanent, full-time role focused on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for UK infrastructure needs.
• Work involves coordinating multiple stakeholders (consultants, subcontractors, commercial and construction teams) to drive approvals and start-on-site.
• Responsibilities include compliance, documentation, and handover readiness (golden thread, H&S files, O&M manuals, resident packs).
• Regular technical coordination workshops, package reviews, and project meetings.