deverellsmith
Technical Design Manager- Residential developer
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Architectural Technician/Design Manager
London, UK * Full-Time, Permanent
BTR / Residential Development * Client-Side * RIBA Stages 3-5
The Opportunity
Our client is a London-based real estate developer and investor with an active pipeline of residential-led schemes, including Build-to-Rent, office-to-hotel conversions, and emerging pipeline projects. They are seeking an experienced Technician / Architectural Technologist to take on a central technical delivery role within their growing in-house development team.
This is a hands-on, client-side position working directly with the Development Director. You will act as the key interface between the external design team, consultants, and construction delivery - ensuring design information is coordinated, buildable, compliant, and aligned with programme and commercial requirements.
At a Glance
- Client-side role reporting directly to the Development Director
- Lead technical coordination across BTR and mixed-use residential schemes
- RIBA Stages 3-5 through to construction, handover, and close-out
- Involvement in early-stage feasibility, massing studies, and development appraisal
- Office-based, 5 days per week, with regular site attendance
- Competitive salary based on experience
Key Responsibilities
Technical Design & Coordination
- Review, prepare, and coordinate architectural drawing packages, technical details, schedules, and specifications across tender, construction, and as-built stages
- Translate concept and planning-stage information into coordinated, construction-ready packages
- Manage and review consultant information across architectural, structural, MEP, fire, façade, interior, and landscape workstreams to ensure integration and eliminate clashes
- Coordinate design information in line with the project brief, planning conditions, Building Regulations, warranty requirements, and employer standards
- Identify and resolve coordination conflicts between architectural, structural, and MEP information using BIM workflows and drawing coordination processes
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Planning & Statutory Compliance
- Assist in discharging planning conditions and ensuring technical submissions remain aligned with approved consents
- Review accessibility, space planning, and apartment layouts against UK residential standards, including London Plan, NDSS, and M4 requirements where applicable
- Contribute to design risk reviews and support CDM compliance at design stage
Construction & Site
- Liaise with contractors, subcontractors, statutory authorities, approved inspectors, and utility providers throughout delivery
- Conduct site inspections, monitor construction progress against drawings and specifications, and identify non-conformances and coordination gaps
- Respond to RFIs and technical queries in a timely, commercially aware manner
- Support quality assurance processes, including benchmark reviews, sample apartments, façade interfaces, and finishing standards
Early-Stage & Feasibility
- Prepare and coordinate feasibility layouts, massing studies, and technical assessments to support acquisition, planning, and development appraisal activities
- Assess site constraints, efficiency metrics, unit mix, circulation, servicing, and buildability at concept stage
Handover & Closeout
- Support handover documentation, O&M information coordination, snagging close-out, and production of as-built records
- Maintain document control standards, revision management, drawing registers, and audit trails across all technical information
Candidate Profile
Experience
- 4-8+ years in a technical delivery role on UK residential projects
- Strong track record coordinating external architects and consultant teams during technical design and construction phases
- Proven experience on medium to large-scale residential developments - apartment-led or mixed-use schemes in London or major UK urban locations
- Prior experience on BTR, private sale residential, student accommodation, or high-density housing schemes is highly advantageous
- Solid grounding in RIBA Stages 3-5 from developed design through to practical completion
- Experience preparing residential feasibility studies, test fits, and massing exercises
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Skills & Knowledge
- Proficiency in AutoCAD is essential; Revit and BIM-based coordination experience is strongly preferred
- Sound knowledge of UK Building Regulations and technical standards relevant to residential design
- Good understanding of planning compliance, statutory approvals, and technical submission processes
- Practical understanding of construction sequencing, site logistics, and buildability
- Strong space planning and residential layout capability
- Commercial awareness - able to balance design quality, compliance, cost, and programme
- Excellent organisational skills, document control discipline, and attention to detail
- Competence in Microsoft Office and common document management platforms
Qualifications
- Degree, diploma, HNC/HND, or equivalent in Architectural Technology, Architecture, Building Studies, or a related built environment discipline
- Demonstrated right to work in the UK
- CIAT membership (ACIAT or MCIAT) is advantageous but not essential
Personal Attributes
- Detail-oriented and technically rigorous, with a solutions-led mindset
- Delivery-focused and comfortable in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial development environment
- Confident challenging inconsistencies and driving coordinated outcomes
- Collaborative and professional in dealings with consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders
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