Design Manager – Key Responsibilities

Strong experience working on high-rise and medium-rise developments, with a solid background delivering concrete frame structures in a Design Manager capacity.

• Carry out a thorough review of all existing design and project information, identifying any gaps, missing information or areas requiring further investigation.
• Liaise with the warranty provider and Building Control to establish what construction has been completed but remains unsigned off, identifying outstanding information, risks and requirements for approval.
• Review planning conditions and trigger points, particularly where deadlines have passed and submissions are still outstanding, highlighting any associated planning risks.
• Work closely with the consultant team to understand the current design position, identify outstanding design elements, coordination issues, buildability concerns and any potential non-compliance with Approved Documents and British Standards.
• Meet with suppliers and subcontractors to review their design progress, coordination and interfaces with other trades.
• Take the lead on concrete frame investigations, working with the project team and specialist consultants to understand any structural issues, establish the required investigations and agree a clear way forward. A structural engineering background isn't essential, but a good understanding of structural principles and the ability to ask the right questions is important.
• Identify and address design scope gaps between consultants, suppliers and subcontractors, working closely with the site team to resolve them.
• Review existing consultant appointments and identify any gaps, issues or additional requirements.
• Review the façade design, particularly around fire safety requirements, inspections and EWS1 considerations.
• Review the project's fire strategy, with a good understanding of both passive and active fire protection systems.
• Regularly walk the site and compare as-built construction against the approved design.
• Review completed works and identify any areas of compliance or non-compliance with the design and statutory requirements.
• Understand the status of works and approvals involving statutory authorities, including S278, S104 and S106 requirements, particularly drainage and associated connections.
• Work alongside a dedicated Building Services Manager, while maintaining a good working knowledge of MEP systems including drainage, communal heating, access control and sprinkler systems.