Design Manager

About the Company

Our client is a prestigious family-owned construction company with a legacy dating back to 1868, now in its fifth generation. Renowned for high-quality construction and sustainable practices, they have built a strong reputation, particularly in Oxfordshire and the South of England. As an award-winning firm, they focus on delivering exceptional buildings while enhancing their social and environmental impact.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to join the design team based in Oxford. This predominantly site-based role will require occasional travel to the Oxford office during tender phases. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record managing projects valued between £5M and £40M across commercial, educational, and high-spec residential sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Design Management: Oversee the entire design process to meet or exceed customer requirements and framework deliverables.


• Risk Identification: Recognize financial, technical, and operational risks while exploring value engineering opportunities to minimize risk and maximize profit.


• Consultant Oversight: Lead the appointment of design consultants, ensuring all contractual requirements are met and deliverables are clearly defined.


• Performance Monitoring: Review fee proposals from consultants and manage their performance, fostering a collaborative approach to ensure timely, budget-compliant designs.


• Compliance Assurance: Develop CDP packages that meet compliance standards and ensure full coordination.


• Health & Safety Management: Ensure designs adhere to CDM 2015 requirements, prioritizing health, safety, and buildability.


• BIM Strategy Development: Support the development of a BIM strategy aligned with client requirements.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will possess:

• Extensive experience managing projects valued between £5M and £40M.


• Strong knowledge of commercial, educational, and residential construction sectors.


• Skills in risk assessment and value engineering.


• Ability to engage in tender processes, including managing design input and collaborating with subcontractors.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a well-established firm that values quality and sustainability while serving repeat business clients primarily in the private sector.