Senior Design Manager

Senior Design Manager – Commercial Fit-Out (CAT A & CAT B) Location: London (Zone 1–2 projects) • Salary: £90,000–£100,000 base annual bonus project-specific bonuses Employer: Leading Main Contractor • Employment Type: Permanent The Opportunity A top-tier main contractor is seeking a proven Senior Design Manager to lead CAT A and CAT B office fit-out projects across London. You’ll take full ownership of the design process from pre-con to handover, driving quality, buildability, cost, and programme on fast-track, high-spec schemes. Key Responsibilities Lead and coordinate the end-to-end design management across RIBA Stages 2–6 for CAT A/B commercial fit-outs. Chair design team meetings; manage consultants, specialist subcontractors, and client stakeholders. De-risk design through buildability reviews , value engineering , and rigorous change control . Ensure compliance with UK Building Regulations, CDM 2015 , fire strategy, acoustic and MEP coordination requirements. Oversee timely information release to meet procurement and construction programmes. Manage design QA: drawings/specs, RFIs, technical submittals, sample approvals, O&Ms/as-builts. Collaborate closely with project and commercial teams on sequencing, logistics, and cost control. Promote digital workflows (e.g., model/drawing reviews, CDEs) and best practice design governance. About You Must have: demonstrable experience working for a main contractor in London on CAT A and CAT B commercial fit-outs. 7 years’ design management (or similar) with a strong technical grasp of interiors/MEP coordination. Track record delivering fast-track projects to exacting quality and brand standards. Confident chairing multi-disciplinary meetings and influencing senior stakeholders. Fluent with drawings/models and common CDEs; comfortable interrogating AutoCAD/Revit outputs. Thorough knowledge of Building Regs, CDM, fire, acoustic, sustainability and compliance pathways. Collaborative, decisive, and calm under pressure with excellent written and verbal communication. Package £90,000–£100,000 base salary (DOE) Annual bonus project-specific bonuses Plus a comprehensive benefits package Apply / Enquiries Send your CV or a brief profile to chris@kennarecruitment.co.uk (confidentially) with the subject “Senior Design Manager – Fit-Out” . Shortlisted candidates will be contacted swiftly. Kenna Recruitment is an equal opportunities recruiter. All applications are handled in strict confidence.

Location: City Of London, UK, GB

Posted Date: 11/1/2025