Job Title: Design Manager – Pre Construction

Location: Leeds (Office based)

Salary: Upon Application

Employment Type: Full time, Permanent

Join the Disruption!

Domis Construction is a leading main contractor delivering high profile residential and commercial developments across the North West and beyond. Design.Deliver.Disrupt. We’re known for pace, quality and a practical, solutions led approach, bringing together design, delivery and commercial expertise to build with confidence. We are now seeking a Design Manager to strengthen our pre construction function and lead design management on allocated projects from early stages through to construction set up.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the design process during pre construction and, where required, the early set up of the construction phase
• Own design input into the 1000 point checklists, pre construction journey and other Monday app management tools for allocated projects
• Fully investigate value engineering and value creation opportunities, driving best value outcomes
• Interrogate enquiry documents, including Employer’s Requirements, to identify risks, gaps and opportunities
• Produce Contractor’s Proposal documentation in liaison with internal departments
• Manage Domis’ design process via external consultants, ensuring coordinated and timely outputs
• Drive innovative and cost effective technical solutions into the design
• Progress design issues within strict timescales and ensure designers meet information delivery dates
• Review subcontractor design proposals for compliance, buildability and alignment with design intent
• Verify and control the status of consultant and subcontractor drawings and specifications, maintaining registers and document control
• Ensure consultant scopes of services, responsibilities and fees are agreed and clearly defined
• Attend tender launch, tender adjudication and design launch meetings as required
• Provide support and management to the pre construction administrator
• Provide technical and buildability input from RIBA Stages 2–5 prior to works commencing on site
• Provide input and demonstrate working knowledge of the Building Safety Act
• Provide technical guidance as required (for example fire regulation compliance and related standards)
• Act as a facilitator of Domis supply chain expertise throughout the pre construction phase to strengthen solutions and reduce risk

Requirements:

• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance quality, programme and cost certainty
• Architectural background is advantageous (but not essential)
• Understanding of client procurement routes and contract strategies
• Sound knowledge of regulations and planning permission procedures
• Experience of site and contract procedures is beneficial
• Proven ability to organise, plan, programme and manage workloads across multiple projects
• Knowledge of operational/project delivery, with site experience on major schemes advantageous
• Confident relationship builder, able to influence and coordinate a wide stakeholder group
• Effective presenter, comfortable leading group meetings and workshops
• Vision, commitment and enthusiasm for change, with a continuous improvement mindset

Personal Attributes & Desired Behaviours

• Integrity: Acts ethically and transparently in all commercial dealings.
• Ownership: Takes accountability for outcomes and drives work through to completion.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with site, commercial, and supply chain teams to achieve shared goals.
• Trust: Builds strong, professional relationships internally and externally.
• Adaptability: Responds positively to change in a fast-paced project environment.
• Commercial Mindset: Proactively identifies risks, opportunities, and value enhancements.
• Professionalism: Leads by example and supports the development of others.

Why Join Us?

• Lead design management on major schemes with genuine influence from early stage onward
• Join a driven, collaborative pre construction team focused on practical delivery and high standards
• Strong opportunities to shape processes, drive innovation and develop your career

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.