Design Manager – Cladding

Hatfield, Hertfordshire
Build Recruitment

Design Manager Refurbishment & Cladding

Location: Hatfield (with site travel as required)
Salary: 70,000 Package
Job Type: Permanent

We’re working with a leading main contractor to recruit an experienced Design Manager to join their growing refurbishment team. This is an excellent opportunity to lead the design process on complex, high-value refurbishment, fire remediation and façade/cladding projects across the South.

This role will see you taking ownership of projects from pre-construction through to delivery, managing the design process, coordinating consultants, and ensuring technical excellence throughout the project lifecycle.

The Role

As Design Manager, you will:

• Lead the design process from tender stage through construction.
• Manage the appointment and coordination of design consultants and survey teams.
• Review employer’s requirements and develop robust contractor proposals.
• Produce and manage design programmes, ensuring milestones are achieved.
• Chair design team meetings and drive design coordination.
• Review technical information to ensure compliance, buildability and cost efficiency.
• Manage design changes and technical queries throughout the project.
• Work closely with commercial, operational and client teams.
• Ensure compliance with Building Regulations, Building Safety Act requirements and statutory approvals.
• Support and mentor junior design team members where required.

About You

We’re looking for someone with:

• Previous experience as a Design Manager within the construction industry.
• Strong knowledge of refurbishment, façade, recladding or fire remediation projects (higher-risk residential experience is highly desirable).
• Experience managing design through both pre-construction and live project phases.
• Knowledge of JCT, NEC and/or PPC forms of contract.
• Experience using Asta Powerproject or Microsoft Project.
• Understanding of BIM processes and Common Data Environments.
• Excellent communication, organisation and stakeholder management skills.
• A relevant qualification in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or a related discipline.

Professional membership (CIOB, RICS, RIBA, ICE or similar) would be advantageous but is not essential.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on prestigious, technically challenging projects.
• Long-term career progression with a respected and growing contractor.
• Collaborative and supportive working environment.
• Ongoing professional development and training.

If you’re an experienced Design Manager looking for your next challenge, we’d love to hear from you.