Design Manager
18 days ago
Oxford
Design Manager - Oxfordshire Projects (Oxford-Based Focus) We’re working with a highly successful main contractor to appoint a Design Manager to support a growing pipeline of projects across Oxford and the surrounding area. With a strong presence in Oxfordshire, the business delivers a diverse portfolio of Design & Build schemes (£10M–£80M), including education, commercial, and technically complex projects. Many are based in and around Oxford, offering the opportunity to work locally while contributing to high-quality, often high-profile developments. This is an excellent opportunity for a Design Manager looking to take ownership of projects, influence design outcomes, and play a key role in a collaborative, forward-thinking team. The Role You’ll be involved from an early stage, helping to shape projects through pre-construction and leading design delivery through to completion. Key responsibilities include: • Supporting pre-construction activities, including value engineering and design input, • Leading and coordinating design teams through RIBA stages 4 and 5, • Acting as a key link between design, commercial, and site teams, • Managing design programmes to support procurement and construction timelines, • Driving design solutions that balance quality, cost, and programme, • Ensuring clear communication and information flow across all stakeholders, • Contributing commercial awareness to strengthen project outcomes and margins About You • Proven experience as a Design Coordinator or Design Manager on Design & Build projects (£10M+), • Strong leadership and coordination skills, with the confidence to influence multidisciplinary teams, • Solid understanding of design management, risk, and project delivery processes, • Experience across sectors such as education, commercial, or similarly complex environments, • Relevant qualification (HNC/HND/Degree in Construction, Architecture, or similar), • Full UK driving licence Why Join? This is a business with a strong pipeline of secured work across Oxfordshire and a growing reputation for delivering quality projects and maintaining long-term client relationships. You’ll benefit from: • The opportunity to work on projects local to Oxford, supporting work-life balance, • A collaborative and well-supported team environment, • Clear opportunities for career progression as the business continues to grow, • Exposure to a varied and interesting project portfolio Package includes: • Competitive salary (dependent on experience), • Car or car allowance, • Healthcare, • Pension, • Bonus scheme, • 25 days holiday (increasing with service) Next Steps This is a key hire within a growing team, and interviews are being arranged shortly. If you’re looking for a role where you can make a genuine impact while working on high-quality projects close to home, we’d be keen to speak with you