Design Manager

Freelance Design Manager Premier League Facility | Main Contractor | Central London | Immediate Start A busy main contractor is looking for an experienced Freelance Design Manager to step in and support a high-pressure pre-construction and live project workload across London and the Home Counties. They're dealing with a surge in live schemes and upcoming tenders, and need someone who can slot in quickly, bring structure to the design process, and take ownership of coordination across multiple workstreams. This is an urgent requirement - ideal for a Design Manager who's confident operating independently and providing immediate value. What you'll be doing • Providing hands-on design management support across live projects and active tenders • Coordinating consultants, subcontractors and internal teams to keep design, programme and technical deliverables aligned • Reviewing drawings and specs for buildability, risk, clashes and coordination issues • Leading and minuting design meetings, managing RFIs, approvals and document flows • Supporting pre-construction teams with technical input that strengthens tender submissions • Helping maintain programme and technical compliance across multiple schemes What they're looking for • 5+ years' experience as a Design Manager for a UK main contractor • Strong pre-construction and design coordination background • Ability to manage competing priorities across several live workstreams • Clear communicator who brings order, structure and pace to design information • Someone polished, organised and comfortable in a fast-moving contractor environment The Current Workload • Multiple tenders requiring immediate design coordination • Live project support needed across major schemes, including a high-profile sports facility and a large assisted-living development • You'll be stepping into a stretched team that genuinely needs extra firepower Why this role? • Long, stable pipeline with potential for ongoing freelance extensions • Hybrid working available (site/office/home mix) • Competitive day rate depending on experience • Opportunity to make a tangible impact from day one Interested? Drop me a message or give me a call. Michael Ogunyankin - (phone number removed) michael @ borneltd . com No pressure - happy to share more details if it sounds like something you could step into