Design Manager

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A Design Manager will lead and manage external design consultants, design subcontractors and construction team inputs on projects directed through the selected Regional Office reporting to the relevant Regional Director, supported by the Head of Design Management as the Regional Office dictates.

Key Responsibilities:

Office

• Is responsible for delivering complete, accurate, commercially viable and buildable design information in a timely manner for construction and/or procurement processes.
• Ensures compliance of design to project contract conditions, budgets and required regulations.
• Champions, develops and maintains BIM principles and procedures as appropriate to that project.

Work Winning and Tenders

• Participates with pre-construction team where support is being provided for a bid process.
• Leads and manages the design process to ensure a viable and robust commercial process during the tender stage to ensure we have the optimum solution for D&B projects and Traditional projects/CDP elements as necessary.
• Comes up with new ideas/solutions during the bid stage including Build it in a Day workshop to proactively create bid winning opportunities. Works with the Bid team and consultants to ensure these are practical and viable.
• Reviews the tender information in detail on D&B projects (and others in agreement with the Regional Director), to ensure risks and opportunities are identified and that the tender design complies with Building Regulations and delivers the Employer's Requirements. Identifies any conflicts between the documents in terms of meeting the specific Contract Design Requirements.
• Understands and captures the project's position in respect of items that could influence a start on site, e.g. Planning (understand planning conditions), Building Control, BREEAM, Energy (LZC/SAP/SBEM), Ecology, Highways, etc.
• Design Consultants:
  • Novated - Reviews proposed Consultant Appointments and scope of services for novated design consultants and obtain fees to cover gaps within scope of services as required
  • Stepnell Selected - Assists the team in identifying a proposed consultant team. Is responsible for issuing enquiries (based on Stepnell standard scope of services) and reviewing fee for completeness.

Construction

• Supports the Stepnell team to prepare full and robust design information to allow the project to be procured, constructed and meet the agreed programme.
• Attends the project meetings as required by the Contracts Manager.
• Reports to the Contracts Manager/Project Manager and works with the Site Manager and project Quantity Surveyor to develop the optimum solution between design, buildability, programme and commercial.
• Manages the appointment of consultants and ensures that they perform in line with their deed and agreed scope of services. Clearly manages and critiques the designs and specifications they develop to ensure they are optimal; always ensuring they remain fully responsible for their design.
• Supports and advises on construction delivery.
• Support the Construction Team in commercial and production activities.
• Challenges the consultants to produce viable and competitive designs to our timescales.
• Uses workshops to ensure project teams fully understand the details as they are designed.
• With the Contracts Manager, agrees the level of time required to be spent on the project.

Financial and Reporting

• Proactively manages the selection and appointment of design and specialist consultants,utility services and third party surveys.
• Is involved in the appointment of specialist subcontractors as appropriate, particularly those with design or CDP packages.
• Maximises all value engineering opportunities.
• Raises with the Project Quantity Surveyor any design related changes which have cost implications both positive and negative.
• Ensures we deliver designs which are in line with the tender allowance and qualifications made.

Systems and Quality

• Leads and manages the design process to produce designs compliant with all applicable regulations and obtain requisite approvals. Balances optimum design with buildability and commercial input.
• Provides the necessary support to obtain third party approvals, e.g. Building Control, BREEAM.
• Understands in detail the commercial performance of the project and the reasons for its success or otherwise.

Controls

• May help to establish Design Brief and Client and/or Building Occupier.
• Leads and implements appropriate BIM execution plans.
• Undertakes or manages the coordination of design between disciplines and specialists.
• Leads and manages the design process to produce information to agreed Design Programme.
• Chairs and leads design coordination meetings and/or workshops and issues actions to all involved.
• Manages project decision trackers (Planning Condition Approval, Building Control, etc).
• Should be aware of project allocation and actively reviews workload with Contract lead to ensure optimal use of their time during a project.

People Management

• Pays attention to customer needs and wants and ensures we have delighted clients and consultants with written references that support this.
• Is recognised by others as providing excellent customer service.

Why Stepnell

At Stepnell, we're passionate about empowering our people to thrive. We believe in building fulfilling and rewarding careers by investing in talent, nurturing growth, and inspiring innovation. With the prestigious Investors in People Gold accreditation, we're proud to place our people at the heart of everything we do. Every team member is valued, and curiosity and collaboration are central to our team culture. We're committed to enabling our people to make a real impact and drive meaningful change throughout our business.

To show our appreciation, we offer generous and competitive benefits including, an enhanced pension scheme with a Stepnell contribution of 7% to help secure your financial future, annual leave that increases with service and the flexibility to purchase more, a market leading employee referral scheme, and for eligible roles comprehensive health coverage, adjustable start and finish times and a car allowance or company car.

Join us in a collaborative and inclusive environment where your well-being is our priority, and your contributions are truly valued.

About Stepnell

As a family-owned business with over 155 years of history, Stepnell is built on stability, trust, and long-term thinking. We make decisions with the future in mind for our people, our clients, and our communities.

Our capabilities span construction, property development, energy solutions, joinery, and concrete repair, allowing us to offer integrated services that meet a wide range of client needs. Operating through seven regional offices in Rugby, Nottingham, Liverpool, Wantage, Bristol, Southampton, and Poolevand across three core business units, we maintain a strong local presence while delivering consistently high standards. Today, repeat clients account for 75% of our turnover a testament to our reliability and the quality of our relationships.