Preconstruction Design Manager

Kier Group plc; Salford; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm is seeking a Preconstruction Design Manager to join their North West team. This role involves leading design efforts during preconstruction and tender phases, managing schedules, and ensuring compliance with technical standards. The ideal candidate has an HND or equivalent in architecture or related fields, along with experience in public sector projects and BIM Level 2. The firm values diversity and inclusion and offers flexible work patterns.

Benefits

Variety of benefits that can be tailored to your needs

Qualifications

• Experience on large build projects within the public sector – Schools, Hospitals, etc.
• Experience of BIM Level 2 projects, including COBie data and LODM.

Responsibilities

• Lead design input during preconstruction and tender stages.
• Manage design and consultant deliverables to meet agreed schedules.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Produce design programmes, scopes, responsibility matrices, and schedules.

Skills

HND or equivalent in Architecture, construction management, engineering

Experience and understanding of 2-stage D&B processes

Ability to influence design strategy

Experience on large build projects in public sector

Experience of BIM Level 2 projects

Driving licence

Education

HND or equivalent

Job description

We're looking for a Preconstruction focussed Design Manager to join our North West Construction team.

Location: Manchester or Liverpool – North West Region

Hours: 40 Hours per week – Monday to Friday, flexible work patterns possible.

We are unable to offer certificates of sponsorship to any candidates in this role.

What will you be responsible for?

We are seeking a Preconstruction Design Manager to take on a pivotal role in preconstruction and tender design management, influencing winning bids and driving innovative solutions that make a real impact on communities.

Your day to day will include:

• Lead design input during preconstruction and tender stages, ensuring robust, compliant, and cost‑effective solutions.
• Manage design, and consultant deliverables to meet agreed schedules.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to achieve project goals.
• Ensure designs meet technical standards and legislative requirements.
• Produce design programmes, scopes, responsibility matrices, appointments, and schedules.
• Record progress and carry out upline reporting.
• Attend and chair necessary meetings and workshops with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure design compliance with relevant legislation and technical requirements.

What are we looking for?

This role of Design Manager is great for you if you have:

• Qualification HND or equivalent (min) in Architecture, construction management, engineering, etc.
  Experience and understanding of 2‑stage D&B processes.
  Ability to influence design strategy during bid phases and secure successful outcomes.
  Prior experience on large build projects within the public sector – Schools, Hospitals, etc.
  Experience of BIM Level 2 projects, including COBie data and LODM.
  Driving licence.

Rewards and benefits

We're proud to be able to offer our brilliant people a wide variety of benefits that you can tailor to your needs. You can see more information of benefits here.

Diversity and inclusion

Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a huge priority for us. We're proud of the steps we've taken so far, but we know we must always do more. Our employees are key in shaping Kier's diversity and inclusion initiatives and our people have made a huge impact on how we work, by using their experiences to shape our policies. You can see our D&I action plan here.

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview.

We look forward to seeing your application to #joinkier