Design Led Preconstruction Manager

Our client is a growing, design focused construction business entering a significant new phase, having secured a landmark £100m+ leisure and residential development in the East Midlands.

This high profile scheme delivered in partnership with a globally recognised luxury hospitality brand will transform a prime countryside destination into a world class resort offering, including high end accommodation, leisure facilities, and lifestyle amenities.

As a result, the business is looking to appoint a Design led Preconstruction professional to take a leading role in shaping and delivering this flagship project, while also contributing to the continued growth of its housebuilding and development pipeline.

This is not a traditional Design Manager role. It is an opportunity to lead from the front, influence outcomes, and help shape how design is delivered across a growing organisation.

Working closely with senior leadership, you will take ownership of the design function throughout preconstruction and into delivery, ensuring that design is fully coordinated, buildable, commercially viable, and aligned with programme from the outset.

You will operate at the intersection of design, commercial, and programme, driving a proactive preconstruction approach rather than reacting during delivery.

This role offers genuine scope to influence not just this flagship project, but how preconstruction and design management are structured across the wider business.

• Lead design coordination across all packages during preconstruction and delivery
• Develop and manage the preconstruction design programme aligned to procurement and construction strategy
• Oversee consultant appointment, performance, and management
• Implement and manage RFI processes and structured information flow
• Establish and manage drawing release schedules in line with programme requirements
• Drive design risk management and value engineering during preconstruction
• Manage design change control and technical approvals processes
• Ensure design compliance, buildability, and specification alignment
• Coordinate interfaces across disciplines, supply chain, and stakeholders
• Lead design workshops, reviews, and preconstruction meetings
• Support procurement strategy through coordinated design information
• Drive high-quality, timely release of coordinated design information for construction Coordinate interfaces between disciplines and packages
• Lead design workshops, reviews and coordination meetings
• Drive high-quality, timely release of coordinated design information

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager or Design Lead with strong preconstruction capability, who can combine technical expertise with strategic oversight.

You will likely come from a main contractor, developer, or design & build environment, with experience influencing projects early and driving design through preconstruction.

• Proven experience in a Design Manager / Senior Design Manager / Design Lead role
• Strong involvement in preconstruction, tenders, and early-stage project planning
• Experience within design & build construction environments
• Track record delivering or supporting £50m+ schemes
• Strong understanding of buildability, programme, and commercial interfaces with design
• Ability to lead consultants and influence stakeholders at all stages
• Confident managing design from concept through to construction release
• Experience working on high-end, design-led or hospitality schemes
• Exposure to residential or housebuilding developments
• Experience contributing to bid or tender processes
• Ambition to move into a more strategic preconstruction leadership role

• Base Salary Negotiable depending on experience
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Car Allowance

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