Design Manager

Location: Liverpool (L2)
Sector: Main Contracting / Construction
Project: Grade II* Listed Building Refurbishment

The Company

Our client is an established and progressive main contractor delivering design and build construction projects throughout London and the wider UK.

Operating across the commercial, residential, hospitality and mixed-use sectors, they provide a comprehensive range of construction services from pre-construction and design development through to project delivery, handover and post-occupancy.

With a strong focus on quality, collaborative working and client satisfaction, the business has developed a reputation for delivering practical construction solutions while maintaining programme and budget commitments.

The company places considerable value on its workforce, offering a supportive working environment alongside opportunities for professional development and career progression.

The Role

Our client is looking to appoint an experienced Design Manager to oversee the design process on a major refurbishment project in Liverpool.

The project involves the full refurbishment of a Grade II* listed former bank building, transforming the property into a combination of office, hospitality and event space.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for coordinating the design process, managing external consultants and ensuring that design information is properly developed, reviewed and issued to support the successful delivery of the project.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the appointment and coordination of external design consultants, including associated documentation, professional indemnity insurance and collateral warranties.

• Reviewing and checking working drawing packages produced by external consultants.

• Coordinating architectural, structural, landscape and specialist design information.

• Identifying and resolving technical and design-related issues arising during construction.

• Attending site meetings and reporting on design progress and outstanding issues to the Head of Pre-Construction.

• Reviewing alternative construction methods, materials and technical details to improve buildability, quality, cost efficiency and long-term performance.

• Obtaining and coordinating specialist supplier drawings and securing the necessary consultant approvals.

• Liaising with structural engineers to ensure coordination between structural and architectural design information.

• Coordinating ground investigation and remediation reports where required.

• Managing planning condition discharges and liaising with the relevant local planning authorities.

• Liaising with Building Control to secure the necessary approvals and discharge building regulation requirements.

• Coordinating with highways authorities in relation to Section 278, 38 and 104 agreements.

• Managing liaison with Party Wall surveyors and obtaining relevant approvals.

• Coordinating acoustic and sound insulation requirements, including Robust Details certification and sound testing where applicable.

• Ensuring design drawings and updated technical information are issued to the relevant departments and site teams.

• Attending departmental development and design review meetings.

The Ideal Candidate

• Previous experience working as a Design Manager within a main contractor or construction environment.

• Experience managing external consultants and multidisciplinary design teams.

• Strong technical knowledge of construction design, drawing coordination and technical approvals.

• Experience with refurbishment and complex construction projects.

• Listed-building or heritage refurbishment experience would be advantageous.

• Knowledge of planning conditions, Building Regulations and statutory approvals.

• Strong communication, coordination and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and maintain design progress in line with project requirements.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Design Manager to join an established contractor and take responsibility for the design coordination of a substantial and interesting refurbishment project in Liverpool.