Design Manager

Freelance Design Manager - High-Rise Residential

Location: Manchester Rate: £450 per day Contract: Freelance (Long-term)

Are you an experienced Design Manager with a proven track record in high-rise residential projects?

We are urgently seeking a Freelance Design Manager to spearhead the design coordination on a major new high-rise apartment development in the heart of Manchester.

As the construction industry adapts to the latest Building Safety Act (BSA) regulations, we need a technically sharp specialist who is fully conversant with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) Gateway process. You will be instrumental in navigating the project's design through these critical regulatory milestones, ensuring total compliance and driving the scheme toward successful delivery.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Leading and managing the design coordination for a complex, multi-storey residential project.


• Taking ownership of the design program through the new BSA Gateway process (specifically Gateways 2 and 3 for Higher-Risk Buildings).


• Liaising closely with architects, structural engineers, and specialist subcontractors to ensure all design information is fully compliant, coordinated, and delivered on time.


• Mitigating design-related risks and ensuring all fire safety and structural regulations are rigorously embedded into the design phase.


• Working closely with the commercial and operational teams to ensure design solutions are buildable and cost-effective.

What We Need From You:

• Extensive experience working as a Design Manager on high-rise residential/apartment projects in the UK.


• Demonstrable, hands-on experience and a strong understanding of the Gateway process and the latest Building Safety Act requirements for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs).


• A background in architecture, engineering, or site management prior to moving into design management is highly desirable.


• Strong leadership skills with the ability to confidently chair design team meetings and challenge external consultants.


• Excellent technical knowledge of modern methods of construction, facades, and high-rise fire safety regulations.

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.

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