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Design Manager
Design Manager
Location: London (Uxbridge and occasional travel to office)
Business: Galliford Try Building London / Southeast & Commercial
We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to oversee the design process for projects in the London Southeast & Commercial region, supporting our growing portfolio of innovative developments.
About the Role
The Design Manager will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, innovative designs that meet (and exceed) client expectations, whilst ensuring programme delivery, commercial viability, and full CDM 2015 compliance.
- Predominantly site-based with occasional office travel (Uxbridge)
- Responsibility for Contract Requirements, Risk Management, Value Engineering, and Consultant Appointment
- Outcome-focused role with full ownership over design processes and integration with wider project delivery teams
Key Responsibilities
-
Design Leadership:
- Oversee the entire design process, ensuring alignment with client requirements, framework deliverables, and RIBA stages
- Identify and mitigate Contractual, Financial, Technical, and Operational Risks while driving Value Engineering to enhance gross profit and customer satisfaction
- Ensure designs maximise buildability and Health & Safety compliance (CDM 2015)
-
Consultancy and Delivery:
- Manage appointment, KPIs, and performance of design consultants and external parties, ensuring collaboration and timely completion
- Assess and refine fee proposals, design deliverables, and contract obligations (IRS, MIDP, Design Responsibility Matrix, CDP Packages)
- Maintain a robust track record in meeting budgets, programmes, and quality standards
-
Technical & Methodological Expertise:
- Achieve alignment between Employer’s Requirements, Contractor Proposals, and built deliverables within programme constraints via our Collaborative Design Environment (CDE)
- Proactively analyze design challenges and propose bespoke solutions
-
Stakeholder & Team Management:
- Lead design teams, contractors, and consultants to deliver high-performance outcomes
- Maintain a customer-centric focus, ensuring all stakeholders (internal/external) drive excellence
About You
Core Qualifications & Experience
- 25+ years of experience in design management for new build and refurbishment within these sectors:
- Commercial properties, residential/operational developments, hotels, mixed-use schemes
- Project types: D&M Contracts, DM Contracts, all building elements (sub-structure, basements, frame, envelope solutions, internal trades, MMC)
- Site and senior management experience in London-based projects within the last 5+ years
- Direct leadership of design and construction teams, demonstrating:
- Cost control, programme management, and risk mitigation for working capital environment projects from concept to completion
- A proven track record of on-time, on-budget, high-quality design delivery with customer satisfaction scores consistently >85%
- Strong grasp of technical design processes, RIBA Stages, and CDM regulatory obligations
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Education & Certification
- Relevant degree/qualified membership of a Construction/Civil Engineering Professional Body (e.g., CIOB, RIBA, RICS) is desirable
- Construction/Design HNC/HND holds equivalence for experience-based candidates
Behavioural Attributes
- Commercially astute, with ability to drive profit-based decision-making
- Exceptional probity, with an unwavering commitment to operational excellence
- Exceptional communication skills, with strong collaborative, punchy, concise presentational abilities
- Resilient, robust, and adaptive, with high energy and inherent calm under pressure
What We Can Offer in Return
Why Galliford Try? Galliford Try is one of the UK’s outstanding contractors, with a £4.1+ billion order book, driving the construction industry forward while providing a supportive, values-led work culture.
Comprehensive Benefits: Our philosophy is focused on people’s success alongside our operating success. Our benefits package is designed to facilitate continuous professional and personal growth:
- Attractive Salary & Incentives
- Holiday Entitlement: Customisable and increasing with tenure
- Company Expense Discounts: Exclusive invitations to corporate leases and reduced member options (including membership of professional affiliations)
- Financial Wellbeing:
- Comprehensive Private Medical Insurance (award-winning offering)
- 24/7 Employee Assistance provides support for stress/mental health
- Cyclescheme for reduced cycling costs
- Career Support:
- Tailored Career Path opportunities (through leadership development and apprenticeship support)
- Agile Working Programme, offering flexible options to suit careers at all levels
- Paid membership to a professional association relevant to your role
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Reputation & Long-Term Stability: We operate across a diverse workload (public/regulated/private sectors), continuously phased with several £1bn+ projects. Each brings the opportunity to:
- Build lasting relationships with clients, consultants, and regulators
- Sharpen leadership skills in a dynamic & rapidly evolving UK housing/climate environment
- Influence industry standards while maintaining a skilled local team focus
Company Vibe & Commitment
At Galliford Try, we are Truly Passionate About the Built Environment and believe our Office of Values bring people together to do the right thing, every time.
Our roadmap is centered around continuous improvement, collaboration, clarity, and natural change.
Be part of a Trusted Industry Leader where excellence carries itself through all work and people-driven growth. We live by alignment to our values:
- Excellence – We are the quality that inspires clients and us to take pride in our work.
- Passion – Our commitment to places creates meaningful experiences for everyone on every site.
- Integrity – We build trust through our actions and deliver projects the right way.
- Collaboration – We share insight, take everyone’s perspective, and lead a culture of respect.
Additional Notes
Equal Opportunities & Inclusion
Galliford Try values diversity, authenticity, and progress. We actively encourage candidates to complete the recruitment process if they recognise interest in this role, even if their background does not match all criteria manifestly.
Should any adjustments or accommodations make our process more inclusive, we encourage you to disclose at any stage.
Disability Confident
As a Legally Disability Confident Employer, we stand committed to ensuring individuals with long-term health conditions or disabilities are supported reasonably via essential access considerations.
Flexible Roles
We recognise the worth of flexible and varied working hours, and this role is open to potential discussions on flexible agreements to make a positive contribution to your well-being.
Next Steps
For more information on this opportunity or queries about our wider exciting roles within Galliford Try’s Building London & South East business, please reach out to Laura Mitchell (Laura.Mitchell@gallifordtry.com).
Apply For This Vacancy Now and take the first step toward meaningful career growth at Galliford Try. ⚡
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