Design Manager

About ODGroup

ODGroup is a leading office interiors and fit-out company in the City of London, specialising in both traditional construction and design & build projects. Renowned for delivering innovative, high-quality spaces, ODGroup is committed to excellence, sustainability, and client satisfaction.

Role Purpose

The Design Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating the design process from concept through to completion, ensuring that design information is developed, coordinated and delivered to the required standard, programme and budget. Working closely with clients, consultants, Project Managers and Construction Managers, the Design Manager will ensure that design solutions are practical, buildable, compliant, commercially appropriate and aligned with the client's requirements and ODGroup's quality and sustainability objectives.

The role provides design leadership across projects, manages design interfaces and risks, supports value engineering and helps ensure a smooth transition from design into construction and project completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design process across allocated projects, from concept and developed design through to technical and construction-ready information.
• Lead, coordinate and support the design team, setting clear expectations, priorities and deliverables.
• Coordinate design input from architects, interior designers, engineers, specialist consultants and other project stakeholders to achieve integrated and buildable solutions.
• Review design information, drawings, specifications and technical documentation to ensure they are coordinated, accurate and aligned with project requirements.
• Ensure design proposals reflect client requirements, agreed design intent, programme, budget, quality standards and sustainability objectives.
• Lead design reviews, coordination meetings and design workshops, ensuring actions are recorded, allocated and closed out.
• Identify, manage and communicate design risks, interfaces, clashes and potential technical or commercial issues at the earliest opportunity.
• Work closely with Project Managers, Construction Managers and operational teams to ensure designs are practical, buildable and aligned with construction methodology and programme.
• Support project commercial management by monitoring design budgets and identifying opportunities for value engineering without compromising design integrity.
• Ensure designs and technical information comply with relevant statutory, regulatory, fire, accessibility and other applicable requirements.
• Coordinate the use of digital design and BIM processes, including AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp and other relevant systems.
• Undertake or coordinate clash detection and design coordination to reduce rework, delays and construction-stage issues.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring and support to junior designers and CAD technicians.
• Facilitate client presentations, design reviews and workshops, communicating design intent, technical solutions and sustainability considerations clearly.
• Maintain effective communication with clients, consultants, contractors and internal stakeholders throughout the design process.
• Ensure design deliverables are produced and issued in accordance with agreed project programmes and information requirements.
• Maintain awareness of emerging design technologies, materials, construction techniques and sustainability practices and identify opportunities to improve ODGroup's design capability and processes.

Project Delivery & Design Management

• Establish clear design deliverables, responsibilities, information requirements and key dates for each project.
• Maintain visibility of the design programme and proactively identify potential impacts on procurement or construction activities.
• Ensure design changes are identified, communicated, coordinated and incorporated into relevant project information.
• Work collaboratively with procurement and construction teams to ensure design decisions support timely procurement and efficient delivery.
• Support resolution of design queries and technical issues during construction and capture lessons learned for future projects.
• Promote a right-first-time approach to design information, reducing ambiguity, rework and avoidable construction-stage issues.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build positive and professional working relationships with clients, consultants and project stakeholders.
• Understand client objectives and translate requirements into clear, deliverable design outcomes.
• Manage expectations around design development, programme, cost, technical constraints and project requirements.
• Represent ODGroup professionally in client and consultant meetings, workshops and presentations.
• Ensure relevant project information and decisions are communicated effectively to all parties.

Commercial & Risk Awareness

• Maintain a strong awareness of the commercial implications of design decisions.
• Support value engineering and alternative design solutions where these provide client and project value without compromising quality or design intent.
• Identify potential design-related risks, changes, omissions and coordination issues and escalate them appropriately.
• Work with project and commercial teams to minimise design-related cost, programme and construction risk.
• Ensure design changes are appropriately reviewed and communicated before implementation.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide clear direction, support and technical leadership to members of the design team.
• Mentor junior designers and CAD technicians, supporting their technical and professional development.
• Promote collaboration, accountability and a high standard of design output.
• Encourage continuous improvement in design processes, coordination and information management.
• Lead by example in communication, organisation, problem solving and professional conduct.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience as a Design Manager or Senior Interior / Construction Designer within commercial fit-out, office interiors or a closely related construction environment.
• Strong understanding of commercial fit-out design, construction processes, building services, materials and fit-out techniques.
• Experience managing and coordinating multidisciplinary design teams and external consultants.
• Strong technical design knowledge and an excellent eye for detail, quality and buildability.
• Strong understanding of sustainability and environmental standards, including BREEAM, WELL and LEED, and how these influence design decisions.
• Proficiency in relevant digital design and BIM tools, including AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp and other appropriate design software.
• Experience of design coordination, clash detection and resolving technical interfaces.
• Strong understanding of statutory and regulatory requirements relevant to commercial interiors and construction, including fire safety and accessibility.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to understand the impact of design decisions on project cost and programme.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Creative thinker with a practical and solution-focused approach to design and technical challenges.
• Ability to work collaboratively while taking ownership and making decisions within the scope of the role.

Personal Attributes

• Professional, confident and credible when dealing with clients and project stakeholders.
• Proactive, organised and able to anticipate issues rather than simply react to them.
• Collaborative and approachable, with the ability to build effective relationships across the business.
• Practical and commercially aware, balancing design ambition with buildability, cost and programme.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Calm and effective under pressure, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Committed to continuous improvement, innovation and the development of people and processes.