Design & Specification Manager

Design & Specification Manager

  • Location:
    Milton Keynes (MK16)
  • Employment Type:
    Permanent
  • Hours per Week:
    36.25
  • Grade:
    4
  • Closing Date:
    14 May 2026
Reporting Group:
  • Assets and Investments

Assets and Investments

At Places for People, we hire People, not numbers! So, if you like the sound of one of our jobs, please apply - you could be just who we're looking for! Of course, experience and track record are important, but we're more interested in hiring someone that embodies our People Promises. That's someone that does the right thing, is enthusiastic and motivated to grow, believes in Community spirit, is respectful and enjoys their work. As the UK's leading Social Enterprise, we don't discriminate based on any protected attribute. In fact, we're dedicated to creating inclusive and thriving Communities for both our Customers and Employees.    

So, what are you waiting for? Join a community that cares about you! 

 

 

More about your role   

You will manage and maintain design type models within approved design systems, preparing detailed drawings, schedules, specifications and technical reports to support improvement schemes. You will lead and uphold the Places for People Affordable Housing specification, ensuring quality and performance standards are met, while providing site specific solutions and technical advice where variations are required. You will also coordinate external design consultants when needed, keep systems and records up to date, support planning and building regulation submissions, and assist with CPD sessions, exhibitions and consultation events alongside the wider team.

 

Essential Criteria  

    • Experience working within approved design systems or standards, including maintaining and updating design type models
    • Demonstrable project experience working within multi disciplinary teams, supporting projects from development through to delivery
    • Practical experience using IT and design tools such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, SketchUp and or 3D modelling software
    • HNC or HND level technical qualification in a relevant built environment, design or construction discipline
    • Proven experience producing detailed technical drawings, schedules, specifications and written technical reports for improvement or construction schemes

 

More About you   

You will bring strong written and verbal communication skills, working confidently with a range of professionals, authorities and clients as part of multi disciplinary project teams. You will have experience supporting or managing projects from development through to delivery, using IT tools such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, SketchUp and 3D modelling software. You will be comfortable prioritising your workload to meet cost, quality and time targets, with an understanding of value engineering, risk and impact assessment and operational health and safety. You will also hold a relevant HNC or HND level qualification and have a good awareness of national building specifications.

 

Benefits   

We are a large diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for.    

We know that there's always more we can do to make you smile, that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:    

  • Competitive salary, with a salary review yearly   
  • Pension with matched contributions up to 7%  
  • Excellent holiday package – 35 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell leave  
  • Cashback plan for healthcare costs – up to £500 saving per year  
  • A bonus scheme for all colleagues at 2%  
  • Training and development  
  • Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more.

What's next?

If you meet the criteria and are ready to make the next step in your career then apply following our simple 5 minute application process, upload a CV and a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the role. If you have any questions please email the recruitment team recruitment@placesforpeople.co.uk 

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided you meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application. 

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview experience, please let us know. We're happy to work with you to ensure you have the opportunity to perform at your best.

If you are a Places for People customer and you're looking for support with your application, please contact our skills and employment team on skillsemployment@placesforpeople.co.uk

Please note that we may bring the closing date forward, if we receive a large number of quality applications. If you are interested in this role we would advise applying immediately to avoid disappointment.

If you are using a mobile device such as an iPad then ensure your CV is stored in the cloud, we currently support Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox.

We understand the importance of a supportive and inclusive work culture so please talk to us at interview about flexibility you may need. We can't promise to give you exactly what you want, but we promise not to judge you for asking. For this role we are open to discussing the possibility of reduced hours, flexible start and finish times or compressed hours.  

If you are a recruitment agency please note we operate a PSL and do not take cold calls

Safeguarding

At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect. 

We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment. 

By joining Places for People, you are expected to contribute to our safeguarding culture, following our policies and reporting concerns to protect those in our communities

 

 

 

Armed Forces - We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant. Places for People will guarantee an interview for any candidate who is serving or has formerly served in the Armed Forces, as a reservist, armed forces veteran (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructor and military spouse/partner and who meets the essential criteria for the vacancy.

Disability Confident - We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident scheme certified as Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. This helps us to successfully employ and retain people with disabilities and health conditions. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a vacancy will be guaranteed an interview. The Equality Act 2010 (Disability Discrimination Act 1995 for NI) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has sa substantial and long-term negative effect on their ability to do daily activities.

Neurodivergent – Neurodiverse individuals have highly valuable skills, and we recognise that a traditional interview process sometimes works against them and doesn’t allow them to self-advocate. Neurodiverse applicants who meet the criteria for a vacancy will be guaranteed an interview.

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Location
Milton Keynes (MK16)
Brooklands,, Unit 1 Brooklands Farm, Newport Road, Milton Keynes, England, MK16 0HU
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