Design Manager

We are looking to recruit a design/project manager to join our northern region team on a permanent, full-time basis. The role will be based in one of our northern studios in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield or Liverpool, with travel across the full network of BDP studios potentially required.

This role would take a commercial and project management lead on some of our most high-profile projects. Candidates are welcomed from those with project and design management backgrounds, plus architects seeking a potential change of career.

About the role

Our Design Managers play a key role in supporting the design process via the provision of specialist project and commercial management services including:

• Internal and external commercial management
• Supply chain and procurement and management
• Planning and programming of design projects
• Deliverable definition and progress monitoring/reporting
• Resource management
• Quality assurance support
• Appointment negotiation

We are seeking a pro-active and motivated individual with the ambition to develop a career within BDP.

About you

The ideal candidate will generally have an awareness of the building design process and an interest in project management plus commercial issues. You may be an architect who wishes to move into a project management role, or work in a related design/project management role already.

In addition, the ideal candidate will:

• Possess exceptional communication and people skills, with the ability to work well within the dynamics of design and client teams
• Be commercially aware and comfortable with interpreting and applying contractual documentation
• Be aware of the challenges of working within a creative environment
• Possess excellent analytical and reporting skills
• Have good knowledge of project management software such as Microsoft Project and an awareness of project planning techniques
• Have solid organisational skills, with the ability to juggle projects with differing deadlines
• Have good knowledge of Microsoft applications including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint

Relevant qualifications such as PRINCE 2 or APM PFQ/PMQ will be considered an advantage but not essential.

About us

BDP is a continuous collective of architects, engineers, designers and urbanists. We design at every scale from city masterplans, neighbourhoods, parks, streets and buildings to specialist, bespoke light and acoustic installations.

We are placemakers who work at every stage of the design process from visioning to briefing to design, delivery and operation. We respond to the demands of our dynamic and ever-changing planet with cross-discipline design thinking that spans all of life’s activities, protects the environment and enhances social value.

Harnessing our collective ethos, the spirit of BDP is about making places for people. Our structure and governance as a global network of federated city studios creates design hubs that are connected to the cities, regions and communities they serve.

As part of the Nippon Koei Group, we fuse our passion for architecture and engineering with user-centred design and large-scale infrastructure projects to deliver world-class solutions for better, more prosperous places.

BDP offers

In return, BDP can offer you a wide range of learning opportunities to encourage personal and professional career development. From sponsorship to profession-led events, we also offer annual appraisals and a mentoring program which is supported by our online internal learning platform.

We are committed to being an employer of choice and offer a competitive remuneration and benefits package as well as interesting work, a rewarding and friendly environment, excellent office space, and a respect for the work-life balance of our people through hybrid working. All permanent employees can participate in BDP’s stakeholder pension arrangement to which the company contributes, the BDP Profit Share Scheme and tax-efficient Smart Benefits, Life Insurance, Long Term Sickness Insurance, Private Medical insurance and health screening, interest-free season ticket loans and enhanced maternity and paternity provision, plus many more.

We offer regular international and studio-based social, sporting, and charitable activities. Some recent events include themed month-end socials, a hiking club, weekly complimentary yoga, wellbeing webinars, and toolbox talks. Our variety of employee forums drives the development of new ideas, giving everyone the platform to have a voice and be heard.

To find out in more detail about what BDP can offer you, please follow: https://www.bdp.com/en/careers-at-bdp/why-join-bdp

To apply

Click here to go to the BDP website and then select Apply below the vacancy. You will then need to complete the online application form and attach an up-to-date CV with a cover letter (<400 words) that outlines your experience in fulfilling the above job description. Once submitted, your application will then be passed on to the recruiting director for review. If successful, you will be notified by our system inviting you to an interview.

BDP is actively fostering an inclusive organisation where people can be themselves and everyone has a sense of belonging. We want our teams to be diverse at every level, reflecting the communities we design for. As designers, we will create spaces for all that promote equity, wellbeing and participation within the built environment. We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different skills, professional and life experiences, to join us and help us to achieve our aspirations. We also welcome applications from candidates who wish to work flexibly. BDP also operates a hybrid working policy.

No agency or third-party applications please