Design Manager
CV-LibraryDerbypermanentPosted: 18 October 2026
Apply NowDesign Manager – Circa £60m+ New-Build Education Scheme – Leading National Tier 1 Main Contractor
Kingdom Search Limited is recruiting a Design Manager for a leading national Tier 1 main contractor. The project is a circa £60m+ new-build education scheme in West Essex (M11 corridor), with a programme of around two years.
Job title: Design Manager – Education – Tier 1 Main Contractor (Perm or Freelance)
Location: East Midlands (head office) / West Essex (site)
Salary: £60,000–£65,000 + package (Perm) / £400–£450 per day (Freelance), NEG DOE
Job type: Permanent (long-term freelance also considered)
Start: ASAP The Role
You'll be the standalone Design Manager on the project, reporting directly to the Director. Pre-construction is well advanced and the project moves into delivery in the next few months. You'll take design management from pre-construction through to completion.
Location & Travel
Permanent candidates must live within a daily commute of the contractor's East Midlands head office. You'll also need to be happy to travel to site and lodge nearby during the week, with expenses paid.
Freelance candidates can be based more flexibly, as long as they're happy to travel to the East Midlands head office and the West Essex site as required. Weekly Pattern
Monday at head office
Tuesday to Thursday on site, with overnight stays on Tuesday and Wednesday for lodging candidates
Friday at head office or working from home Package
Permanent: £60,000–£65,000 + package (NEG DOE)
Freelance: circa £400–£450 per day, Ltd or CIS (NEG DOE), long-term What the Client Is Looking For
Design Manager or Senior Design Manager experience with a main contractor (essential)
Strong Design Coordinators who are ready to step up will be considered, as long as they're confident running a large scheme on their own
Experience managing the consultant team, subcontractor design, design programmes, RFIs and information release, from pre-construction through to delivery
Openness to learning the contractor's standardised system-build design approach. Full support is given, which is why regular head office time is part of the role.
Education or DfE experience is advantageous but not essential. Experience on DfE frameworks would be a bonus.
A confident, organised communicator who can hold their own with consultants, subcontractors and the delivery team How to Apply
Apply via CV-Library or email your CV to (url removed). Please include:
Your home postcode
Whether you're looking for permanent or freelance work
Your salary or day rate expectations
Your availability or notice period Shortlisted candidates may be invited to record a short optional video introduction to send with their CV.
Kingdom Search Limited is a specialist construction recruitment consultancy, recruiting freelance and permanent professionals nationwide
Kingdom Search Limited is recruiting a Design Manager for a leading national Tier 1 main contractor. The project is a circa £60m+ new-build education scheme in West Essex (M11 corridor), with a programme of around two years.
Job title: Design Manager – Education – Tier 1 Main Contractor (Perm or Freelance)
Location: East Midlands (head office) / West Essex (site)
Salary: £60,000–£65,000 + package (Perm) / £400–£450 per day (Freelance), NEG DOE
Job type: Permanent (long-term freelance also considered)
Start: ASAP The Role
You'll be the standalone Design Manager on the project, reporting directly to the Director. Pre-construction is well advanced and the project moves into delivery in the next few months. You'll take design management from pre-construction through to completion.
Location & Travel
Permanent candidates must live within a daily commute of the contractor's East Midlands head office. You'll also need to be happy to travel to site and lodge nearby during the week, with expenses paid.
Freelance candidates can be based more flexibly, as long as they're happy to travel to the East Midlands head office and the West Essex site as required. Weekly Pattern
Monday at head office
Tuesday to Thursday on site, with overnight stays on Tuesday and Wednesday for lodging candidates
Friday at head office or working from home Package
Permanent: £60,000–£65,000 + package (NEG DOE)
Freelance: circa £400–£450 per day, Ltd or CIS (NEG DOE), long-term What the Client Is Looking For
Design Manager or Senior Design Manager experience with a main contractor (essential)
Strong Design Coordinators who are ready to step up will be considered, as long as they're confident running a large scheme on their own
Experience managing the consultant team, subcontractor design, design programmes, RFIs and information release, from pre-construction through to delivery
Openness to learning the contractor's standardised system-build design approach. Full support is given, which is why regular head office time is part of the role.
Education or DfE experience is advantageous but not essential. Experience on DfE frameworks would be a bonus.
A confident, organised communicator who can hold their own with consultants, subcontractors and the delivery team How to Apply
Apply via CV-Library or email your CV to (url removed). Please include:
Your home postcode
Whether you're looking for permanent or freelance work
Your salary or day rate expectations
Your availability or notice period Shortlisted candidates may be invited to record a short optional video introduction to send with their CV.
Kingdom Search Limited is a specialist construction recruitment consultancy, recruiting freelance and permanent professionals nationwide