Job Description
Freelance Design Manager - Commercial Fit-Out\nLocation: Piccadilly\nStart Date: May 2025\nDuration: 9-10 Months\n\nThe Situation:\nA £25m two-phase project is rattling along nicely. Phase 1 ("Structures" - demolition, structural works, general heavy lifting) wraps up in about two months. After that, it's on to Phase 2: £9m of commercial fit-out, where things get considerably shinier and more client-facing.\nWe now require a Design Manager to bridge the gap between the 'knocking down' and the 'making it look expensive', and to see the fit-out through to completion without undue excitement.\nThe Role:\nBroadly speaking:\n·Review the design, spot the issues before they become your issues.\n·Ensure the fit-out can actually be built (you'd be surprised how often this needs saying).\n·Co-ordinate between structural and fit-out elements with minimal drama.\n·Work out what's missing, what's needed, and what nobody's thought about yet.\n·Generally keep the design process moving so the project doesn't grind to a halt while people argue over ceiling details.\nIf you know your way around a fit-out site and can keep designers, contractors, and clients broadly pointed in the same direction, you'll fit right in.\nWhat You'll (Ideally) Bring:\n·Solid experience as a Design Manager on commercial projects, preferably with a main contractor.\n·A practical mind - capable of looking at a design and asking: "Will this actually work?"\n·A steady hand transitioning from heavy structure to detailed fit-out.\n·Proficiency with relevant design management and project tracking software (no, we don't mean spreadsheets you made yourself in 2009).\n·The ability to solve problems sensibly, not theatrically.\n(Structural engineering experience not essential, though understanding how big things stay up is handy.)\nAlternative Titles:\nDesign Manager, Project Design Manager, Construction Design Manager, Design Coordinator - call yourself what you like, as long as you can do the job.\nHow to Apply:\nIf this sounds tolerable and you're available, give Michael Ogunyankin a call on (phone number removed) or send your updated CV (ideally something resembling the truth) to (url removed) .\nIf you're not free but know someone suitable, do the decent thing and pass it on