Design Manager - Residential Development

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Pre-Development Design Manager to join an established residential property developer based in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

Offering a competitive salary of up to £65,000 plus car and benefits package, this position will suit an experienced residential development professional with a strong understanding of planning, architectural design, engineering and pre-construction project management.

Working across a portfolio of residential development sites, you will take responsibility for coordinating the entire pre-development process, from initial feasibility and planning through to technical design development and construction readiness.

This is a varied and influential role requiring someone who can manage multiple projects simultaneously, coordinate external consultants, maintain detailed development programmes and ensure sites progress efficiently through the planning and technical stages.

The successful candidate will work closely with Land, Commercial and Technical teams, playing an important role in ensuring developments are technically coordinated, commercially viable and ready for successful delivery.

The Role

As Pre-Development Design Manager, you will take ownership of multiple residential development sites, managing design, planning, technical coordination and pre-construction activities.

Key responsibilities will include:

Managing multiple residential development sites from initial feasibility through planning, technical design and pre-construction.

Producing, maintaining and managing detailed pre-development and pre-construction programmes, identifying critical milestones and potential delays.

Coordinating external Architects, Civil and Structural Engineers, Planning Consultants and other technical specialists.

Overseeing architectural and engineering design information, ensuring proposals are coordinated, compliant, buildable and commercially viable.

Managing planning applications, approvals, conditions and associated technical requirements.

Working closely with Land teams to assess development opportunities, site constraints and feasibility.

Collaborating with Commercial teams to ensure design proposals align with development appraisals, budgets and cost plans.

Identifying technical, planning and programme risks at an early stage and implementing appropriate solutions.

Reviewing residential layouts and technical proposals to identify opportunities for improved efficiency, buildability and value engineering.

Maintaining accurate project programmes, trackers, risk registers and progress reports.

Driving consultants and stakeholders to meet agreed deadlines and ensuring sites progress towards construction readiness.

The Ideal Candidate

We are particularly interested in speaking with candidates who have a proven background in residential housebuilding or property development, alongside strong technical knowledge and excellent project management capabilities.

Suitable candidates will ideally demonstrate:

Previous experience within a residential housebuilder, property developer or consultancy specialising in residential development.

A strong understanding of the residential planning process, including applications, conditions, site constraints and technical approvals.

Broad technical knowledge encompassing architectural design, civil engineering, structural engineering and residential construction.

Proven experience managing multiple development sites or projects simultaneously.

The ability to prepare, manage and monitor detailed pre-construction programmes.

Experience coordinating multidisciplinary design teams and external consultants.

Strong commercial awareness, including an understanding of development viability, cost implications and value engineering.

Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritise competing deadlines.

Confident communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with internal departments and external stakeholders.

A proactive, solutions-focused approach with the confidence to take ownership of projects and drive them forward.

Candidates currently working as a Technical Manager, Design Manager, Development Manager or Pre-Construction Manager within the residential sector are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applications may also be considered from experienced architectural or engineering professionals who have substantial residential development experience, strong planning knowledge and proven project management capabilities.

What's on Offer?

Salary up to £65,000, dependent on experience.

Company car / car allowance and additional benefits package.

An opportunity to take ownership of a varied portfolio of residential development projects.

A technically challenging role with significant involvement in planning, design and development strategy.

Close collaboration with experienced Land, Commercial and Technical professionals.

The opportunity to make a genuine contribution to the successful progression and delivery of residential developments.

A permanent position offering long-term career development.

Interested?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced residential development professional looking for a role offering autonomy, responsibility and involvement across the full pre-development process.

For further information or a confidential discussion about the position, please contact James Jackson at Conrad Consulting, specialist recruiters within the Architecture, Technical and Residential Development sectors.

All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence