Design Manager

Location: Manchester City Centre
Salary: Circa £65,000 per annum + Car Allowance

If you are an experienced Design Manager who has worked on large commercial fit out projects and enjoys being involved from the early stages of a scheme through to delivery, this could be a really good opportunity for you.

You will be joining an established commercial fit out contractor who has secured a substantial project in Manchester City Centre.

The scheme involves approximately 40,000 sq ft of office and laboratory space, with a construction value of around £10m to £12m.

The project is currently in pre-construction, with work expected to commence on site during Q1 2027.

This is an opportunity to get involved early, helping to coordinate the design process and ensuring the project is properly prepared before construction begins.

Ideally, you will have experience working on multimillion-pound commercial fit out projects. Previous experience of laboratory fit outs or technically complex environments would be beneficial, although this is not essential.

The salary is circa £65,000 per annum, plus car allowance.

You will need previous experience working as a Design Manager within the construction industry, ideally with a background in commercial fit out, refurbishment or design and build projects.

You should be comfortable managing the design process on substantial projects, working closely with architects, consultants, subcontractors and the wider project delivery team.

Your experience should include:

• Managing and coordinating the design process from pre-construction through to project delivery.

• Working on large commercial fit out or refurbishment schemes.

• Reviewing drawings, specifications and technical information.

• Coordinating architects, consultants and specialist subcontractors.

• Managing design programmes and ensuring information is issued in line with project requirements.

• Identifying design risks and resolving technical issues before they affect progress on site.

• Attending design meetings with clients and the wider project team.

• Working closely with commercial and operational teams to ensure designs meet project requirements and budgets.

Experience working on laboratory fit outs, specialist workspaces or technically demanding commercial environments would be advantageous.

You will be responsible for managing and coordinating the design process on a major Manchester City Centre fit out project.

With the scheme currently in pre-construction, you will have the opportunity to become involved before work starts on site, helping to ensure the design is coordinated and ready for delivery.

You will work closely with the project management team, consultants and subcontractors, ensuring design information is accurate, coordinated and issued in accordance with the construction programme.

As the project progresses, you will continue to manage design-related matters, resolve technical queries and support the successful delivery of the scheme.

This could be a particularly good opportunity for a Design Manager who enjoys being involved in a substantial project from the outset and wants to take ownership of the design coordination process.

• Salary circa £65,000 per annum.

• Car allowance.

• Opportunity to work on a £10m–£12m commercial fit out project.

• Involvement from pre-construction through to completion.

• A substantial Manchester City Centre scheme combining office and laboratory space.

• Opportunity to join an established commercial fit out contractor.

If you are an experienced Design Manager looking for your next opportunity in Manchester, please get in touch for a confidential conversation.