Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: Farrans Recruitment Team

Location: Stansted, Essex, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full time

Category: Construction Management / Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-22T14:16:09

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the end-to-end design delivery for a significant airport construction transformation project, ensuring alignment with program timelines and client expectations.

• Manage the full design lifecycle, from Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) through to contract award and final completion, integrating cross-functional team input.

• Drive the review and approval processes for design elements, liaising with clients and stakeholders to secure necessary sign-offs and address any technical queries.

• Facilitate the resolution of design-related challenges encountered during the construction phase, ensuring minimal disruption and adherence to project specifications.

• Contribute to the project completion by managing the handover process, ensuring all design documentation is finalized and communicated effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Manager," the responsibilities clearly indicate a role that bridges design oversight with the practicalities of construction delivery and project management within the construction sector. This suggests a need for strong operational understanding of construction workflows, not just aesthetic or pure design principles. The focus on "delivery," "programme," "Client approval," and "construction phase" highlights the operational execution aspect crucial for success in this role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all design aspects of the airport construction transformation project, from the initial PCSA stage through to contract award and final completion.

• Ensure the design is delivered in accordance with the agreed programme, budget, and quality standards, coordinating with internal teams, consultants, and subcontractors.

• Lead and facilitate design review meetings, incorporating feedback from project teams, including engineering, construction, and commercial departments.

• Secure timely client approval for all design submissions, managing communication channels and addressing client queries or concerns proactively.

• Act as the primary point of contact for design-related queries during the construction phase, providing clear and concise resolutions to site teams.

• Collaborate with the site team to identify and resolve design challenges, ensuring that solutions are practical, compliant, and integrated seamlessly into the construction process.

• Assist in preparing for project completion by managing the design handover process, ensuring all necessary documentation, including as-built drawings and operation & maintenance manuals, are compiled and delivered.

• Maintain a robust document management system for all design-related information, ensuring accessibility, version control, and compliance with project protocols.

• Champion the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) where applicable, leveraging technology to enhance design coordination, clash detection, and overall project efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on, operational approach to design management within a construction context. The focus on "delivery," "programme," "client approval," "resolving challenges," and "handover process" indicates that this role requires not only design oversight but also strong project execution capabilities. The inclusion of "PCSA stage" points to early-stage involvement, requiring an understanding of contractual frameworks and procurement strategies relevant to construction projects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in design management within the construction industry, with a proven track record of successful project delivery.

• Specific experience within the aviation sector and on structural refurbishment projects is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Design Management: Proven ability to lead and manage the design process for complex construction projects.

• Construction Industry Expertise: Strong understanding of construction methodologies, site operations, and project lifecycles.

• Aviation Sector Knowledge: Familiarity with the unique requirements and complexities of airport infrastructure projects.

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with internal teams, clients, consultants, and contractors.

• Contract Awareness: Understanding of construction contracts and their implications for design responsibilities.

• Building Safety Legislation: Knowledge of current building safety regulations and compliance standards.

• MS Office Proficiency: Competent in using Microsoft Office Suite for communication, reporting, and project administration.

• Document Management Systems: Experience with systems for managing project documentation and drawings.

• Analytical Skills: Ability to critically review designs, identify potential issues, and propose effective solutions.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to reviewing design documents and ensuring accuracy.

Preferred Skills:

• BIM Proficiency: Experience with Building Information Modeling (BIM) software and workflows.

• Driving License: A valid driving license, as travel to various project sites may be required.

• Risk Management: Ability to identify and mitigate design-related risks.

• Cost Management Awareness: Understanding of how design decisions impact project costs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are a blend of technical design oversight and crucial operational execution capabilities. The emphasis on "Construction Industry Expertise," "Aviation Sector Knowledge," "Contract Awareness," and "Building Safety Legislation" points to the need for a candidate who understands the practical application and regulatory landscape of construction design delivery, rather than just theoretical design principles. Proficiency in document management systems is a key operational requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of Design Delivery: Showcase projects where you managed the design process from PCSA to completion, highlighting your role in achieving program milestones and client satisfaction.

• Demonstration of Design Review & Approval: Provide examples of your process for conducting design reviews, incorporating stakeholder feedback, and securing client approvals.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Illustrate instances where you successfully resolved design challenges during the construction phase, detailing the methodology and positive outcomes.

• Document Management Examples: Present evidence of your approach to managing design documentation, including version control strategies and system utilization.

• Collaboration Evidence: Examples of cross-functional team collaboration and stakeholder engagement throughout the design delivery process.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Detail your established processes for managing the design lifecycle, including pre-construction, active construction, and handover phases, with a focus on efficiency improvements.

• System Implementation & Automation: Document your experience with implementing and utilizing design management software, BIM tools, and document control systems to streamline workflows.

• Performance Measurement & Analysis: Explain how you track and measure the effectiveness of design delivery processes, including metrics related to program adherence, RFI turnaround times, and number of design queries resolved.

📝 Enhancement Note: