At GRAHAM, we are more than a leading construction and facilities management partner ,we are a trusted collaborator committed to creating high‑quality learning environments and supporting the evolving needs of our education‑sector clients. As part of a major long‑term campus transformation programme, we are seeking a Design Manager who will play a key role in delivering coordinated, technically robust, and future‑ready design solutions that support both construction delivery and operational excellence.
This role will support a multi‑year programme focused on modernising and enhancing a diverse estate, including new‑build, refurbishment, and lifecycle investment projects. The Design Manager will lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring all design information is fully integrated, compliant, buildable, and aligned with sustainability, operational performance, and long‑term estate strategy. Working closely with construction, FM, commercial, and client teams, the Design Manager will help ensure a seamless transition from design into construction and eventual operation.
Supported by continued growth and a commitment to investing in our people, GRAHAM is looking for an experienced, technically strong design professional who can drive quality, collaboration, and innovation across a complex and high‑profile programme.
Benefits: Up to 36 days paid annual leave, Excellent Company Pension, Free Life Assurance, Training and Development, Discounted Private Health Care Scheme, Discounted Gym Membership and BUPA Health Assessments.
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, with regular travel throughout the UK
Hours Per Week: Monday - Friday, 40 Hours
Job Type: Permanent / Full Time
The Design Manager will:
- Lead and coordinate the full design process from pre‑construction through delivery and completion across new‑build, refurbishment, upgrade, and lifecycle projects.
- Manage multidisciplinary designers, consultants, and subcontractor design partners to produce fully coordinated, compliant, and buildable design solutions.
- Review all design information—including drawings, specifications, reports, BIM models, and technical submissions—for accuracy, compliance, buildability, and alignment with contract requirements.
- Develop, manage, and monitor detailed design and procurement programmes, ensuring alignment with construction sequencing, FM integration, statutory milestones, and client deadlines.
- Prepare, maintain, and issue Information Release Schedules to support timely procurement, construction activities, and operational readiness.
- Chair and document design, coordination, and technical meetings, ensuring clear actions, responsibility ownership, and risk management.
- Challenge consultant and subcontractor design solutions to ensure technical correctness, cost efficiency, and best value.
- Identify and implement value‑engineering opportunities and evaluate alternative materials, systems, and specifications to meet performance and budget goals.
- Manage the design change control process, including RFIs, technical queries, change notes, and client/design approvals.
- Identify and manage design risks, maintaining an up‑to‑date design risk register and supporting timely mitigation strategies.
- Ensure all design information complies with Building Regulations, planning conditions, British Standards, CDM requirements, and client technical standards.
- Support the coordination of planning submissions, building control applications, BREEAM requirements, and third‑party approvals.
- Ensure design solutions incorporate maintainability, lifecycle considerations, access, safety‑in‑use, and operational FM requirements.
- Support Soft Landings, commissioning activities, and handover by ensuring asset data, O&M information, and as‑built drawings are accurate and complete.
- Manage the interface between consultant design, subcontractor design, and operational FM needs to ensure long‑term estate performance.
- Develop clear scopes of work and design responsibilities matrices, supporting consultant and subcontractor appointments where required.
- Review subcontractor design deliverables for compliance, coordination, and equivalency with the project brief and contract requirements.
- Assist with the preparation of subcontract tender enquiry packages and evaluate design elements of subcontractor bids.
- Contribute to tender reviews, bid submissions, technical clarifications, and contractor proposals during the pre‑construction phase.
- Identify design risks and scope gaps during tender stage and provide high‑quality technical input into bid documentation.
- Provide technical content for monthly progress reports and client presentations.
- Support statutory compliance processes, including planning discharge, building control, fire strategy approval, and other regulatory submissions.
- Collaborate with commercial teams to ensure design decisions reflect programme, cost, and contractual obligations.
- Ensure all design documentation and controlled information is managed in accordance with GRAHAM’s quality procedures and project-specific document control processes.
- Represent GRAHAM professionally at all times with clients, consultants, stakeholders, and external partners.
- Undertake any other duties relevant to the role, contract, or business needs.
This job description is intended to give the post holder an appreciation of the role envisaged for the job title 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
Essential Criteria
- Formal qualification in Construction, Architecture, Engineering, or related discipline (BSc, HND, HNC or equivalent).
- Proven experience delivering projects from early design through construction and completion.
- Experience working as a Design Manager for a main contractor or as a senior professional within architectural/engineering consultancy.
- Strong technical understanding of multidisciplinary design, construction methods, building regulations, and compliance standards.
- Proficient in AutoCAD, Revit, and/or BIM design review platforms.
- Strong IT skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and experience using common data environments (CDEs).
- Strong commercial awareness with understanding of the relationship between design, cost, risk, and programme.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver coordinated design outputs on complex, multi‑disciplinary project
Desirable Criteria
- Membership of a relevant professional body (MCIOB, MICE, CIAT, RIBA) or working towards accreditation.
- Experience using Navisworks, SketchUp, or digital design coordination tools.
- Experience working within education, public‑sector estates, or FM‑integrated delivery environments.
- Knowledge of NEC and JCT contract design obligations.
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Please note that Applicants will not be expected to meet any (or all) of the desirable criteria to be considered for interview. Desirable criteria will only be used as part of the shortlisting process in the event there are a large number of Applicants. We are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive workforce and particularly welcome applications from females and individuals from a minority ethnic background who are currently under represented in our industry.
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.Access NI Privacy Notice can be viewed at: AccessNI Privacy Notice | Department of Justice (justice-ni.gov.uk)
GRAHAM FM is a subsidiary of the GRAHAM Group. At GRAHAM FM, we’re not just one of the UK’s leading Total FM providers - we’re also a trusted partner, committed to enhancing the experience and making the lives of our clients’ easier.
Energised by continued growth, and boasting an annual turnover in excess of £1bn per annum, we’re committed to investing in our people and creating the conditions for them to excel. We deliver fully integrated facilities management services across the UK and Ireland. The core disciplines we offer are:
- Building Fabric and Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) Maintenance Services
- Projects and Minor Works
- Compliance Services
- Fire and Security Services
- Energy Services
- Traffic Management.
