Fawkes & Reece
Senior Design Manager
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Senior Design Manager
Senior Design Manager (Education Sector) – Essex & Surrounding Region
📍 Contract / Permanent (negotiable)
Stabilising a portfolio of high-profile education projects with Fawkes & Reece in partnership with a leading main contractor.
About the Role
We’re seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to lead and coordinate the delivery of a strong pipeline of education sector projects across Essex and beyond—including schools, academies, SEND facilities, and specialist refurbishments valued from £5m to £40m+.
This is your opportunity to join a trusted business with a solid track record in DfE, academy, and public sector schemes, working on technically complex projects that prioritise quality learning environments—both in live operational and standalone environments.
Looking for long-term stability? This role offers repeated framework work and a pipelined portfolio to grow with.
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Key Responsibilities
- Drive and oversee contract-specific design processes across new build, refurbishment, and live operational projects
- Coordinate architects, engineers, consultants, and specialist subcontractors to maintain alignment and buildability
- Review and refine technical design deliverables from RIBA Stage 2–5, ensuring compliance and constructability
- Lead design coordination meetings, workshops, and reviews
- Resolve technical and operational buildability challenges, especially within live learning environments
- Manage complex multibeam programmes, scope, and consultant deliverables across education projects
- Support projects from pre-construction through to handover, ensuring seamless design-to-business execution
- Enforce compliance across DfE standards, building regulations, and project-specific requirements
About You
You’ll be a seasoned professional with a clear understanding of education-focused design management. Required:
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- Proven experience as a Senior Design Manager, Architect, or equivalent, specialising in schools, academies, or public sector education schemes
- Demonstrable experience in new build versus live environment construction/changes, including hybrid projects
- Strong grip on technical design coordination across RIBA Stages 3–5
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, sub-consultants, and long-term frameworks in fast-paced industries
- Sharp communication, problem-solving, and negotiation skills
- Comfort with concurrent projects, adapting seamlessly to evolving demands
Note: Experience with DfE frameworks, PSBP, or similar public sector programmes will be advantageous.
Ready to apply? Send your CV or cover letter, or reach out directly to CGillespie@FRLondon.co.uk. No forward pipeline too broad.
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