Trainee Design Manager - Degree Apprenticeship (National)

Stepnell; Rugby; On-site; GBP 19,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading regional contractor is offering a 5-year Trainee Design Management apprenticeship for students interested in architecture. You will gain real-world experience while managing the design process alongside professionals, ensuring projects are successfully delivered. The role includes learning essential skills in design coordination, health and safety considerations, and project documentation. A competitive salary of £19,000 is provided along with excellent development opportunities and benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary increasing year on year

25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Contributory pension scheme

Access to professional training including CSCS card

Qualifications

• Strong design knowledge or interest in architecture.
• Persistence, initiative, and problem-solving ability.
• Analytical thinking and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Flexibility and openness to change.
• Competent in using computers and standard design software.

Responsibilities

• Manage the flow of information from designers to the construction team.
• Oversee the design process using technical expertise.
• Work with clients to ensure expectations are met.
• Review designs with health and safety in mind.
• Identify potential errors and reduce financial risk during construction.
• Maintain thorough documentation of the design process.
• Keep up-to-date with changing building legislation and design codes.

Skills

Strong design knowledge or interest in Architecture

Persistence

Initiative

Problem-solving ability

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Flexibility

Openness to change

Competent in using computers and standard design software

Education

Studying Architecture or a relevant field

Job description

Are you studying Architecture or interested in starting a degree apprenticeship in this field, and ready to gain real-world experience in the construction industry? Stepnell, a leading regional contractor delivering projects up to £30 million, is offering an exciting 5-year Trainee Design Management apprenticeship for ambitious students.

This is a degree apprenticeship opportunity: you will continue your studies while earning valuable practical experience. If you’re interested in architecture but prefer not to focus on design work, this role offers the opportunity to manage the design process and help ensure projects are successfully delivered alongside experienced professionals. At Stepnell, we don’t just build projects – we build careers.

What You’ll Do:

• Manage the flow of information from designers to the construction team, ensuring designs are delivered on time, to standard, and ready for construction
• Oversee the design process using technical expertise
• Work with clients to ensure expectations are met
• Review designs with health and safety in mind
• Identify potential errors and reduce financial risk during construction
• Maintain thorough documentation of the design process
• Keep up-to-date with changing building legislation and design codes of practice

What You’ll Learn:

• Architectural and design coordination skills on live construction projects
• How to manage the interface between design and construction teams
• Practical application of your studies in a real-world construction environment
• Health, safety, and regulatory considerations in design

Who We’re Looking For:

• Strong design knowledge or interest in Architecture
• Persistence, initiative, and problem-solving ability
• Analytical thinking and attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Flexibility and openness to change
• Competent in using computers and standard design software
• Access to a vehicle and a full UK driving licence

Where You’ll Work:

You’ll work from one as part of our regional teams: Eastleigh (South Coast), Bristol (South West), Rugby (Warwickshire/Northamptonshire), or Nottingham (East Midlands), supporting projects throughout the regional patch.

Why?

At Stepnell, you’ll work on real projects with genuine responsibility, gaining hands‑on experience that truly matters. You’ll learn from experienced professionals who are committed to mentoring and supporting your development, with clear career progression opportunities from placement to graduate and eventually into management roles. As a supportive team, we’re dedicated to helping you thrive.

You’ll receive a competitive salary of £19,000, which increases year on year, 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, a contributory pension scheme, and access to valuable professional training, including your CSCS card and Health & Safety certifications.

Training & Development:

• Degree apprenticeship support and academic learning
• Professional development with RIBA or similar
• Cultural Training Programme
• Continuous professional development and on-the-job learning
• Trainee Design Co‑ordinator (Degree Apprenticeship)
• Design Manager
• Senior Design Manager
• Head of Design

What happens next?

• Initial Screening – up to 31st January 2026
  Applications will be reviewed by our Training Manager, who will shortlist candidates for the next stage.
• Telephone Interviews – December 2025 to February 2026
  Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a telephone interview with a member of our team.
• Face‑to‑Face Interviews – February to March 2026
  Candidates progressing from the telephone stage will be invited to attend in‑person interviews with our regional teams.

Timeline for a Response - due to the expected high volume of applications, updates on the outcome of the initial screening will be provided within 8 weeks.

Closing Date: 31 January 2026

Early applications are encouraged.

Stepnell is where your career in construction begins. Apply now to gain experience, skills, and a head start in your professional journey.

Why Stepnell

At Stepnell, we’re passionate about empowering our people to thrive. We believe in building fulfilling and rewarding careers by investing in talent, nurturing growth, and inspiring innovation. With the prestigious Investors in People Gold accreditation, we’re proud to place our people at the heart of everything we do. Every team member is valued, and curiosity and collaboration are central to our team culture. We’re committed to enabling our people to make a real impact and drive meaningful change throughout our business.

To show our appreciation, we offer generous and competitive benefits including, an enhanced pension scheme with a Stepnell contribution of 7% to help secure your financial future, annual leave that increases with service and the flexibility to purchase more, a market leading employee referral scheme, and for eligible roles comprehensive health coverage, adjustable start and finish times and a car allowance or company car.

Join us in a collaborative and inclusive environment where your well‑being is our priority, and your contributions are truly valued.

About Stepnell

As a family‑owned business with over 155 years of history, Stepnell is built on stability, trust, and long‑term thinking. We make decisions with the future in mind for our people, our clients, and our communities.

Our capabilities span construction, property development, energy solutions, joinery, and concrete repair, allowing us to offer integrated services that meet a wide range of client needs. Operating through seven regional offices in Rugby, Nottingham, Liverpool, Wantage, Bristol, Southampton, and Poolevand across three core business units, we maintain a strong local presence while delivering consistently high standards. Today, repeat clients account for 75% of our turnover a testament to our reliability and the quality of our relationships.