Design Manager - Dublin

About The Role

DIVISION: Civil Engineering
LOCATION: Dublin
CONTRACT: Permanent
BENEFITS: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance, 35 days holiday + more

As GRAHAM continues to grow, we are seeking a driven and experienced Design Manager to help deliver a major civil engineering scheme in Dublin.

The Design Manager is responsible for leading, coordinating and managing the design process across projects from early concept through to construction and handover. The role ensures that design solutions are safe, compliant, buildable, cost‑effective and aligned with programme and client requirements. Acting as the central interface between design, commercial and delivery teams, the Design Manager plays a key role in ensuring successful project outcomes.

The Design Manager shall:

Design Leadership & Coordination

Manage the development and coordination of multi‑disciplinary design teams (architectural, structural, MEP and specialist designers)
Ensure design outputs are aligned with project scope, programme, cost and quality requirements
Lead design team meetings, workshops and reviews
Maintain clear communication across all stakeholders and disciplines.
Design Management Across Project Lifecycle
Manage design from concept through detailed design, construction and handover
Develop and manage design programmes and deliverables schedules
Ensure timely issue and approval of design information
Track progress and proactively manage risks to delivery

Technical Assurance & Compliance
Ensure compliance with statutory regulations, Building Regulations, planning requirements and relevant standards
Manage design risk, including CDM and safe‑by‑design principles

Coordinate technical reviews, approvals and assurance processes

Ensure design quality, coordination and completeness

Pre‑Construction & Work‑Winning Support

Support bids, tenders and pre‑construction activities with design expertise

Contribute to design strategies, methodology and optioneering exercises

Ensure proposed solutions are buildable, compliant and aligned with cost plans

Support development of technical submissions and client presentations

Cost, Programme & Buildability Integration

Work closely with Estimating and Commercial teams to align design with cost plans

Support value engineering and design‑to‑cost optimisation

Ensure designs reflect practical construction methodology and sequencing

Coordinate with Planning teams to align design deliverables with programme

Risk, Opportunity & Change Management

Identify and manage design risks, constraints and opportunities

Manage design change control processes and ensure proper documentation

Ensure clarity of assumptions, interfaces and responsibilities

Support mitigation strategies for delivery risks

Supply Chain & Consultant Management

Manage external consultants, designers and specialist suppliers

Monitor performance against scope, programme and quality expectations

Ensure design deliverables are fully coordinated with subcontractor scopes

Promote collaboration and early engagement

Stakeholder & Client Engagement

Act as the primary design interface with clients, consultants and stakeholders
Facilitate design workshops, approvals and decision‑making processes
Ensure client requirements are understood and effectively delivered
Maintain strong working relationships and client confidence
Handover & Delivery Support
Ensure design information is complete, coordinated and build‑ready prior to construction
Support project teams during construction with design queries and technical issues
Assist with commissioning, as‑built information and handover documentation
Ensure continuity between design intent and delivered outcome

Continuous Improvement

Capture lessons learned from projects and design processes

Promote best practice, standardisation and efficiency in design management

Support innovation, digital design and BIM where applicable

Assist with commissioning, as‑built information and handover documentation

Ensure continuity between design intent and delivered outcome

This job description is intended to give the post holder an appreciation of the role envisaged and the range of duties to be undertaken.

It does not attempt to detail every activity. Specific tasks and objectives will be agreed with the post holder at regular intervals

Technical Competencies
Essential

Significant experience in design management within construction, specifically, experience within Education

Strong understanding of multi‑disciplinary design coordination
Knowledge of construction processes, sequencing and buildability
Experience managing design programmes, risks and stakeholder coordination

Desirable

Professional qualification in construction, engineering, architecture or design
Chartered status or working toward professional accreditation
Experience in design‑and‑build or framework environments

It does not attempt to detail every activity. Specific tasks and objectives will be agreed with the post holder at regular intervals

Our Commitment:

At GRAHAM, we are proud to say that we are a committed Equal Opportunities Employer and we aim to be the first choice for people from all backgrounds. We seek to promote respect for the individual and equality of opportunities. We believe that everyone should be treated solely on the basis of personal merit and contribution throughout their GRAHAM career journey and not on the value of artificial barriers, prejudices, or preferences.

If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

We are dedicated to making our policies and guidance accessible to all applicants and employees. If you need this document in an alternative format, such as large print, audio, or braille, please contact us at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 07384 916355

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. If you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme, please contact Louise Hunter, Resourcing Manager, at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 07384 916355

We are only able to consider applications from individuals who are eligible to live and work in the UK, as per Home Office regulations. Please check your eligibility with the regulations before applying. Individuals with a current time restricted right to work in the UK, should contact the Human Resources team in the first instance.

A basic disclosure may be requested if security clearance is required by 3rd party clients and a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position. Our Access NI/Vetting and Barring Scheme Policy and Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available upon request.

GRAHAM reserves the right to carry out checks to ensure the validity of an applicant’s experience and/or qualifications and we expect all applicants to comply with any such requests for information. Failure to do so or evidence of any falsification of information will lead to either removal from the recruitment process or if already in employment potential termination of contract through the company disciplinary procedure.