Sr. Design Manager - Cut & Carve
CV-LibraryCity of London, LondonpermanentPosted: 5 May 2026
Apply NowThe role of Sr. Design Manager - Cut & Carve involves overseeing design processes and ensuring project delivery within the property industry. Based in Central London, this permanent position offers a rewarding opportunity for professionals with expertise in design management and property development.
Client Details
This opportunity sits within a leading Tier 1 construction and engineering business delivering complex, design-led projects across the UK. The organisation operates across key sectors including commercial, residential, healthcare, and civic developments, with a strong presence in London and a growing pipeline nationally.
The business is currently in a critical growth phase, having secured and submitted multiple high-value tenders across London. With several projects due to land in mid-to-late May, they require an experienced Senior Design Manager to join at pace and take ownership of pre-construction and live project design management.
Projects include complex cut & carve refurbishments in Central London, major fit-out schemes, co-living and residential developments, and technically challenging builds requiring compliance with the Building Safety Act. The organisation is known for being highly selective with clients and schemes, focusing on quality, technical excellence, and risk mitigation.
Description
Lead the design management process across pre-construction and delivery phases, with an initial focus on tendering and upcoming project mobilisation
Take ownership of technical due diligence, identifying and mitigating design risks across complex cut & carve and refurbishment schemes
Manage and coordinate multi-disciplinary design teams, including consultants and specialist subcontractors
Drive design strategy across a range of projects including commercial fit-out, residential, co-living, and civic schemes
Lead on projects requiring compliance with the Building Safety Act, ensuring all regulatory and safety requirements are embedded from early stages
Review and challenge design information to ensure buildability, efficiency, and technical robustness
Support and lead tender submissions, contributing to winning work and ensuring robust design proposals
Develop and manage design programmes, deliverables, and information flow across multiple live and pre-construction projects
Collaborate closely with commercial, planning, and delivery teams to ensure alignment and successful project outcomes
Act as a key interface with clients, presenting confidently and representing the business at a senior level
Proactively identify project risks and opportunities, ensuring schemes are de-risked prior to commitment
Provide leadership within the design team, supporting junior staff where requiredProfile
Proven experience operating at Design Manager or Senior Design Manager level within a main contractor environment
Strong background in commercial cut & carve and refurbishment projects, ideally within Central London
Demonstrable experience in tendering and pre-construction design management
Strong technical due diligence capability, with a track record of identifying and mitigating design risks
Good understanding of the Building Safety Act and its implications on design and delivery
Experience across a mix of sectors including commercial, residential, co-living, or healthcare
Confident communicator with the ability to present and represent the business effectively to clients and stakeholders
Commercially aware, with the ability to contribute to winning work and delivering cost-effective solutions
Highly organised, proactive, and capable of hitting the ground running in a fast-paced environment
Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline (e.g. Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management)
Preference for candidates from a contractor background rather than purely architectural
Availability to start within 1 month (or immediately available candidates highly desirable)Job Offer
Salary up to £95,000 per annum
Competitive benefits package including pension and annual leave
Opportunity to join at a pivotal time with multiple major project awards pending
Exposure to complex, high-profile London schemes including cut & carve and technically challenging developments
Strong pipeline of secured and upcoming work across multiple sectors
Fast-paced, collaborative environment with clear potential for progression as the team continues to grow
Immediate involvement in live tenders and upcoming project wins
Client Details
This opportunity sits within a leading Tier 1 construction and engineering business delivering complex, design-led projects across the UK. The organisation operates across key sectors including commercial, residential, healthcare, and civic developments, with a strong presence in London and a growing pipeline nationally.
The business is currently in a critical growth phase, having secured and submitted multiple high-value tenders across London. With several projects due to land in mid-to-late May, they require an experienced Senior Design Manager to join at pace and take ownership of pre-construction and live project design management.
Projects include complex cut & carve refurbishments in Central London, major fit-out schemes, co-living and residential developments, and technically challenging builds requiring compliance with the Building Safety Act. The organisation is known for being highly selective with clients and schemes, focusing on quality, technical excellence, and risk mitigation.
Description
Lead the design management process across pre-construction and delivery phases, with an initial focus on tendering and upcoming project mobilisation
Take ownership of technical due diligence, identifying and mitigating design risks across complex cut & carve and refurbishment schemes
Manage and coordinate multi-disciplinary design teams, including consultants and specialist subcontractors
Drive design strategy across a range of projects including commercial fit-out, residential, co-living, and civic schemes
Lead on projects requiring compliance with the Building Safety Act, ensuring all regulatory and safety requirements are embedded from early stages
Review and challenge design information to ensure buildability, efficiency, and technical robustness
Support and lead tender submissions, contributing to winning work and ensuring robust design proposals
Develop and manage design programmes, deliverables, and information flow across multiple live and pre-construction projects
Collaborate closely with commercial, planning, and delivery teams to ensure alignment and successful project outcomes
Act as a key interface with clients, presenting confidently and representing the business at a senior level
Proactively identify project risks and opportunities, ensuring schemes are de-risked prior to commitment
Provide leadership within the design team, supporting junior staff where requiredProfile
Proven experience operating at Design Manager or Senior Design Manager level within a main contractor environment
Strong background in commercial cut & carve and refurbishment projects, ideally within Central London
Demonstrable experience in tendering and pre-construction design management
Strong technical due diligence capability, with a track record of identifying and mitigating design risks
Good understanding of the Building Safety Act and its implications on design and delivery
Experience across a mix of sectors including commercial, residential, co-living, or healthcare
Confident communicator with the ability to present and represent the business effectively to clients and stakeholders
Commercially aware, with the ability to contribute to winning work and delivering cost-effective solutions
Highly organised, proactive, and capable of hitting the ground running in a fast-paced environment
Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline (e.g. Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management)
Preference for candidates from a contractor background rather than purely architectural
Availability to start within 1 month (or immediately available candidates highly desirable)Job Offer
Salary up to £95,000 per annum
Competitive benefits package including pension and annual leave
Opportunity to join at a pivotal time with multiple major project awards pending
Exposure to complex, high-profile London schemes including cut & carve and technically challenging developments
Strong pipeline of secured and upcoming work across multiple sectors
Fast-paced, collaborative environment with clear potential for progression as the team continues to grow
Immediate involvement in live tenders and upcoming project wins