Technical Design Manager- Residential developer

Deverell Smith Ltd

Architectural Technician/Design Manager
London, UK * Full-Time, Permanent
BTR / Residential Development * Client-Side * RIBA Stages 3-5

The Opportunity

Our client is a London-based real estate developer and investor with an active pipeline of residential-led schemes, including Build-to-Rent, office-to-hotel conversions, and emerging pipeline projects. They are seeking an experienced Technician / Architectural Technologist to take on a central technical delivery role within their growing in-house development team. This is a hands-on, client-side position working directly with the Development Director. You will act as the key interface between the external design team, consultants, and construction delivery – ensuring design information is coordinated, buildable, compliant, and aligned with programme and commercial requirements.

At a Glance

• Client-side role reporting directly to the Development Director
• Lead technical coordination across BTR and mixed-use residential schemes
• RIBA Stages 3-5 through to construction, handover, and close-out
• Involvement in early-stage feasibility, massing studies, and development appraisal
• Office-based, 5 days per week, with regular site attendance
• Competitive salary based on experience

Key Responsibilities

Technical Design & Coordination

• Review, prepare, and coordinate architectural drawing packages, technical details, schedules, and specifications across tender, construction, and as-built stages
• Translate concept and planning-stage information into coordinated, construction-ready packages
• Manage and review consultant information across architectural, structural, MEP, fire, façade, interior, and landscape workstreams to ensure integration and eliminate clashes
• Coordinate design information in line with the project brief, planning conditions, Building Regulations, warranty requirements, and employer standards
• Identify and resolve coordination conflicts between architectural, structural, and MEP information using BIM workflows and drawing coordination processes

Planning & Statutory Compliance

• Assist in discharging planning conditions and ensuring technical submissions remain aligned with approved consents
• Review accessibility, space planning, and apartment layouts against UK residential standards, including London Plan, NDSS, and M4 requirements where applicable
• Contribute to design risk reviews and support CDM compliance at design stage

Construction & Site

• Liaise with contractors, subcontractors, statutory authorities, approved inspectors, and utility providers throughout delivery
• Conduct site inspections, monitor construction progress against drawings and specifications, and identify non-conformances and coordination gaps
• Respond to RFIs and technical queries in a timely, commercially aware manner
• Support quality assurance processes, including benchmark reviews, sample apartments, façade interfaces, and finishing standards

Early-Stage & Feasibility

• Prepare and coordinate feasibility layouts, massing studies, and technical assessments to support acquisition, planning, and development appraisal activities
• Assess site constraints, efficiency metrics, unit mix, circulation, servicing, and buildability at concept stage

Handover & Closeout

• Support handover documentation, O&M information coordination, snagging close-out, and production of as-built records
• Maintain document control standards, revision management, drawing registers, and audit trails across all technical information

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 4-8+ years in a technical delivery role on UK residential projects
• Strong track record coordinating external architects and consultant teams during technical design and construction phases
• Proven experience on medium to large-scale residential developments - apartment-led or mixed-use schemes in London or major UK urban locations
• Prior experience on BTR, private sale residential, student accommodation, or high-density housing schemes is highly advantageous
• Solid grounding in RIBA Stages 3-5 from developed design through to practical completion
• Experience preparing residential feasibility studies, test fits, and massing exercises

Skills & Knowledge

• Proficiency in AutoCAD is essential; Revit and BIM-based coordination experience is strongly preferred
• Sound knowledge of UK Building Regulations and technical standards relevant to residential design
• Good understanding of planning compliance, statutory approvals, and technical submission processes
• Practical understanding of construction sequencing, site logistics, and buildability
• Strong space planning and residential layout capability
• Commercial awareness – able to balance design quality, compliance, cost, and programme
• Excellent organisational skills, document control discipline, and attention to detail
• Competence in Microsoft Office and common document management platforms

Qualifications

• Degree, diploma, HNC/HND, or equivalent in Architectural Technology, Architecture, Building Studies, or a related built environment discipline
• Demonstrated right to work in the UK
• CIAT membership (ACIAT or MCIAT) is advantageous but not essential

Personal Attributes

• Detail-oriented and technically rigorous, with a solutions-led mindset
• Delivery-focused and comfortable in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial development environment
• Confident challenging inconsistencies and driving coordinated outcomes
• Collaborative and professional in dealings with consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders

#J-18808-Ljbffr