Design Manager

Design Manager Leading Main Contractor (Kent)

• Location: Dartford, Kent
• Contract type: Permanent
• Salary: £65,000 - £70,000 + package (car allowance, healthcare, pension, fuel card)
• Project experience required: Cut & carve refurbishment and new build
• Posted: 21st November 2025
• Contact: Mark Dixon Skilled Careers, Maidstone Branch

Join one of Kent s leading main contractors, renowned for delivering high‑quality new build and refurbishment projects across the region.
With project values typically ranging from £2.5m to £16m, the company has an exceptional reputation for technical excellence, collaboration, and continued growth.

Due to a strong pipeline of secured work, we re seeking a Design Manager to join an established and growing design team to start their tenure on £14m Design & Build education project which features cut & carve refurbishment, new build and fit out.

You ll also be key in supporting tendering for new contracts across the South East region are a mix of Design & Build and Traditional contracts, many with significant contractor s design portions.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make an impact in a business that truly values innovation, teamwork, and professional development.

• Analyse enquiry and tender documents to support bid preparation.
• Lead and coordinate the design process throughout RIBA stages 2-7.
• Produce and manage design programmes, scopes, responsibility matrices, and schedules.
• Procure, coordinate and manage external design consultants.
• Drive innovation and value engineering to optimise project performance and client satisfaction.
• Monitor design progress to ensure timely information delivery.
• Attend tender reviews, pre-start meetings, and ongoing project performance reviews.

• Proven track record delivering cut & carve refurbishment schemes for a main or principal contractor with a sound understanding of MEP packages.
• Strong ability to plan, organise, and manage workloads effectively.
• Solid understanding of site procedures, Building Regulations, and planning processes.
• Commercially aware with excellent communication and coordination skills.
• Experience of client procurement routes.
• Background in site operations prior to design management would be advantageous but not essential.

• Competitive salary (commensurate with experience).
• Car allowance, private healthcare, and company pension.
• A supportive, collaborative working environment within a forward‑thinking, agile contractor.
• Genuine opportunities for career progression as part of a growing regional team.

If you re looking to take the next step in your career as a Design Manager
, and want to work with a respected contractor delivering exciting Kent‑based projects we d love to hear from you.

for a confidential discussion.