DIVISION: Civil Engineering
LOCATION: Hereford
CONTRACT: Permanent
BENEFITS: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance, 35 days holiday + more
As GRAHAM continues to grow, we are seeking a driven and experienced Design Manager to help deliver a major highways development in Hereford.
The Design Manager is responsible for leading, coordinating and managing the design process across projects from early concept through to construction and handover. The role ensures that design solutions are safe, compliant, buildable, cost‑effective and aligned with programme and client requirements. Acting as the central interface between design, commercial and delivery teams, the Design Manager plays a key role in ensuring successful project outcomes.
The Design Manager shall:
Design Leadership & Coordination
Technical Assurance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with statutory regulations, Building Regulations, planning requirements and relevant standards
- Manage design risk, including CDM and safe‑by‑design principles
- Coordinate technical reviews, approvals and assurance processes
- Ensure design quality, coordination and completeness
Pre‑Construction & Work‑Winning Support
- Support bids, tenders and pre‑construction activities with design expertise
- Contribute to design strategies, methodology and optioneering exercises
- Ensure proposed solutions are buildable, compliant and aligned with cost plans
Support development of technical submissions and client presentations
-
Cost, Programme & Buildability Integration
- Work closely with Estimating and Commercial teams to align design with cost plans
- Support value engineering and design‑to‑cost optimisation
- Ensure designs reflect practical construction methodology and sequencing
- Coordinate with Planning teams to align design deliverables with programme
Risk, Opportunity & Change Management
- Identify and manage design risks, constraints and opportunities
- Manage design change control processes and ensure proper documentation
- Ensure clarity of assumptions, interfaces and responsibilities
- Support mitigation strategies for delivery risks
Supply Chain & Consultant Management
- Manage external consultants, designers and specialist suppliers
- Monitor performance against scope, programme and quality expectations
- Ensure design deliverables are fully coordinated with subcontractor scopes
- Promote collaboration and early engagement
Stakeholder & Client Engagement
- Act as the primary design interface with clients, consultants and stakeholders
- Facilitate design workshops, approvals and decision‑making processes
- Ensure client requirements are understood and effectively delivered
- Maintain strong working relationships and client confidence
Handover & Delivery Support
- Ensure design information is complete, coordinated and build‑ready prior to construction
- Support project teams during construction with design queries and technical issues
- Assist with commissioning, as‑built information and handover documentation
Ensure continuity between design intent and delivered outcome
Continuous Improvement
- Capture lessons learned from projects and design processes
- Promote best practice, standardisation and efficiency in design management
- Support innovation, digital design and BIM where applicable
- Assist with commissioning, as‑built information and handover documentation
- Ensure continuity between design intent and delivered outcome
This job description is intended to give the post holder an appreciation of the role envisaged and the range of duties to be undertaken.
It does not attempt to detail every activity. Specific tasks and objectives will be agreed with the post holder at regular intervals
Technical Competencies
Essential
- Significant experience in design management within construction, specifically, experience within Education
- Strong understanding of multi‑disciplinary design coordination
- Knowledge of construction processes, sequencing and buildability
- Experience managing design programmes, risks and stakeholder coordination
Desirable
- Professional qualification in construction, engineering, architecture or design
- Chartered status or working toward professional accreditation
- Experience in design‑and‑build or framework environments
It does not attempt to detail every activity. Specific tasks and objectives will be agreed with the post holder at regular intervals
Our Commitment:
At GRAHAM, we are proud to say that we are a committed Equal Opportunities Employer and we aim to be the first choice for people from all backgrounds. We seek to promote respect for the individual and equality of opportunities. We believe that everyone should be treated solely on the basis of personal merit and contribution throughout their GRAHAM career journey and not on the value of artificial barriers, prejudices, or preferences.
If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
We are dedicated to making our policies and guidance accessible to all applicants and employees. If you need this document in an alternative format, such as large print, audio, or braille, please contact us at:
As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. If you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme, please contact Louise Hunter, Resourcing Manager, at:
We are only able to consider applications from individuals who are eligible to live and work in the UK, as per Home Office regulations. Please check your eligibility with the regulations before applying. Individuals with a current time restricted right to work in the UK, should contact the Human Resources team in the first instance.
A basic disclosure may be requested if security clearance is required by 3rd party clients and a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position. Our Access NI/Vetting and Barring Scheme Policy and Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available upon request.
GRAHAM reserves the right to carry out checks to ensure the validity of an applicant’s experience and/or qualifications and we expect all applicants to comply with any such requests for information. Failure to do so or evidence of any falsification of information will lead to either removal from the recruitment process or if already in employment potential termination of contract through the company disciplinary procedure.
