Design Manager (Birmingham)


Company:	Hays Specialist Recruitment
Salary:	£50,000 to £85,000 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Birmingham, B1 1AB
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 1 day remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	16 Oct 2026
Closing date:	15 Nov 2026

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Summary

Your new company

You will be joining a leading UK Tier 1 construction contractor with an excellent reputation for delivering complex, high-profile projects across the country. Due to a major programme of refurbishment and building improvement works in Birmingham, they are looking to appoint an experienced Design Manager or Senior Design Manager to join their established project team.

Your new role

As Senior Design Manager, you will take responsibility for managing and coordinating the design process across a complex programme of refurbishment, remediation and upgrade works within an existing occupied building.

Working closely with project, commercial, planning and delivery teams, you will ensure design solutions are compliant, buildable and aligned with programme requirements while minimising disruption to ongoing operations.

Your responsibilities will include:

Leading the design process for refurbishment, remediation and building improvement works

Managing multidisciplinary design teams across architectural, structural and MEP disciplines

Driving design development from feasibility through to construction

Coordinating works within a live, occupied operational environment

Managing design programmes and ensuring information is released in line with construction requirements

Providing technical input across fire safety, compliance and building modernisation works

Managing consultants, specialist subcontractors and external design partners

Reviewing existing building constraints and developing practical, buildable solutions

Ensuring designs meet current Building Regulations and Building Safety Regulator requirements

Working closely with project, commercial and planning teams to identify and mitigate design risks

Liaising with statutory authorities, building control and key project stakeholders

Identifying opportunities for innovation, efficiencies and continuous improvement

The role will initially require four days per week on site in Birmingham, with greater hybrid working flexibility available once the project has progressed through its initial mobilisation period.

What you'll need to succeed

To be successful in this position, you will have:

Proven experience as a Design Manager or Senior Design Manager within construction

Strong refurbishment, remediation, building improvement or major maintenance experience

Experience delivering projects within occupied or live operational environments

A strong understanding of Building Regulations and building safety requirements

Experience with fire safety improvements and compliance-led construction works

Strong knowledge of the challenges associated with upgrading and modifying existing buildings

Experience coordinating architectural, structural and MEP design

Strong buildability and programme awareness

Experience managing external consultants, specialist designers and subcontractor design packages

Good knowledge of BIM and digital design processes

Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

A valid CSCS card

Relevant professional membership would be advantageous

What you'll get in return

This is an excellent opportunity to join a major contractor and play a key role in the delivery of a technically challenging, high-profile refurbishment programme in Birmingham.

The company offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

Hybrid and flexible working opportunities

£50,000 - £85,000 DOE

25 days' annual leave

Company pension

Share incentive scheme

Family-friendly policies

Volunteering leave

Professional training and development

Support towards professional qualifications

Long-term career progression within a major UK contractor

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

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