Design Manager

Also known as - Principal designer, design co-ordinator, design and build manager.

Design managers coordinate all of the design work required during construction projects. They manage the production of technical drawings and plans used to build a structure. Design managers bring together architects, structural and service engineers, along with specialist designers and BIM technicians, to create coordinated designs which can be used during the build and aid maintenance of the structure once complete.

Office
Engineering-Technical
Design
Very organised

What does a design manager do?

As a design manager you will be responsible for looking after teams of designers to make sure projects are produced on time to a high specification.

The job role of a design manager involves the following duties:

Motivating and encouraging internal and external design teams
Ensuring structural drawings and designs are produced on time, to a high quality, and are easy to decipher
Overseeing the design process using technical expertise
Working with clients to ensure that their expectations are met
Reviewing designs with health and safety in mind
Avoiding errors and reducing financial risk during construction
Ensuring designs are available to those who need them, at the appropriate time
Maintaining thorough documentation of the design process
Keeping up-to-date with changing building legislation and codes of practice relating to design
Working in an office, with occasional site visits.

How to become a design manager

There are several routes to becoming a design manager. You could gain the qualifications you need on a university or college course, or you could start on your career path as an apprentice. You should explore the options to find out which is the right one for you.

This is a role requiring significant technical skills. It is possible to go into it without formal qualifications, however it is generally more accepted if you do a university or college course and have several years’ experience.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

University

You could study for an undergraduate degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in a relevant subject such as architecture, design and construction management, or architectural technology. Afterwards, you may be able to join a company’s graduate trainee scheme.

College/training provider

You could complete a BTEC in building studies, building engineering or building management, or a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in construction management or architecture.

Funding advice

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. You could gain this at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works in construction. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.

Find out more about work experience

Skills

Design skills and knowledge
Knowledge of engineering science and technology
Able to come up with new ways of doing things
Be thorough and pay attention to detail
Analytical thinking skills
Persistence and determination
Leadership and motivational skills
Able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Qualifications

England

To become a Design manager you could complete a:

Level 4 Construction Design and Build Technician apprenticeship

Scotland

To become a Design manager you could complete a:

Level 6 SVQ at SCQF Level 6 in Built Environment Design
SVQ in Built Environment Design and Consultancy Practice at SCQF level 11
Technical Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 9 in Built Environment Design Management

Wales

To become a Design manager you could complete a:

Level 7 NVQ in Built Environment Design and Consultancy Practice

How much could you earn as a design manager?

The expected salary for a design manager varies as you become more experienced.

Newly trained design managers can earn in the region of £37,000
Trained with experience design managers can earn up to £93,000*

Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility, any overtime you may do, and whether you have completed and industry recognised training route.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Career path and progression

As a junior, trainee, assistant or technician with a few year's experience of technical design projects, you could work your way up to BIM (Building Information Modelling) coordinator, or a mid-level designer.

With further project management experience, you could progress to a senior role as a design manager, principal designer, build manager or BIM manager and earn a higher salary.

You could become self-employed and work freelance.

As a design manager, you could gain chartered status and further qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) or Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and move into a project director role