Design Manager - Essex

Company: LJB & CoDesign Manager With over 30 years of construction excellence, our client has built a strong reputation for delivering a diverse range of high-quality construction projects across London and the South East. Established in the early 1990s, they have grown into a quality-driven, innovative construction services provider known for professionalism, collaboration, and technical expertise. Current turnover stands at 175m + Operating across multiple sectors — including education, residential, commercial, and public buildings — the company's success is founded on long-term client relationships, repeat business, and a focus on delivering tailored, cost-effective solutions that add real value to every project.

Role Overview: Due to continued growth, the company is now seeking an experienced Design Manager to join their team based at their Essex head office. The successful candidate will play a key role in leading the design process across multiple construction projects, typically valued between 5m and 20m, ensuring that design and technical deliverables meet the highest standards of quality, compliance, and buildability.

Key Responsibilities: Manage and coordinate the design process from tender through to completion. Collaborate closely with clients, consultants, and internal project teams to develop and deliver effective design solutions. Review and challenge design information to ensure cost efficiency, programme compliance, and construction feasibility. Lead design meetings and manage the flow of design information between stakeholders. Support pre-construction and tender submissions with design input and value engineering ideas. Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, standards, and company quality procedures. Contribute to the continuous improvement of design management practices across the business.

Key Requirements: Proven experience as a Design Manager within a main contractor environment. Strong technical understanding of construction methods and design processes. Experience managing multi-disciplinary design teams across projects in the 5m–20m range. Excellent communication, coordination, and leadership skills. Ability to balance multiple live projects and work collaboratively with both pre-construction and site delivery teams. Relevant construction or engineering qualifications. In return our client can offer basic salary of 75k - 85k (DOE) plus car, travel, bonus and full package