Graduate Design Manager

We're looking for a Graduate Design Manager to join our Construction team based in Leeds. Within this role you can enjoy 26 days annual leave, 24/7 Wellbeing Support Programme, and even more https://jobs.kier.co.uk/benefits/  

We are a leading UK national contractor delivering projects of all sizes and complexities in the public and private sectors, including education, healthcare, defence and justice and borders. We design and deliver buildings that are key to the UK's infrastructure – from hospitals and treatment centres, to schools, leisure centres and prisons.   

Construction comprises our Regional Building, Strategic Projects, Kier Places, KME and we operate across all regions– London & Southern, Western & Wales, Eastern & Midlands and North & Scotland. https://www.kier.co.uk/who-we-are/our-business-divisions/  

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a leading construction and infrastructure services company on our structured graduate development programme. These programmes have been designed to provide you with the experiences and tools needed for progression within your chosen career.  

Location: Leeds– With flexibility to travel across the region   

 Starting Salary: £30,000 per annum, with potential £4,750 car allowance depending on eligibility  

 Pathway: Permanent, Full-time 2-year programme, leading to assistant level role upon completion with salary potential of CIRCA £38k  

 Starting date: September 2026  

We are unable to offer certificates of sponsorship to any candidates in this role. 

What will you be responsible for? 

As a Graduate Design Manager, you'll be working within the Construction team on live projects on site and in pre-construction in the office. You will assist in managing all aspects of design on projects, working alongside the Architects, Engineers and other design team members on the projects. This role offers a fantastic opportunity for a recent graduate to gain hands-on experience, receive mentorship from experienced professionals, and develop a strong foundation in quantity surveying.  

What will your day-to-day duties include?  

• Assisting in the coordination and management of the design process for construction projects.
• Collaborating with architects, engineers, contractors, and clients to ensure design specifications are met.
• Reviewing and analysing project drawings, plans, and specifications for accuracy and compliance with standards.
• Supporting the development of design solutions that align with project objectives, budget, and timeline.
• Monitoring design progress and adjusting as necessary to meet project goals.
• Working alongside the Kier Operational and Commerical teams to update them on design progress and look at project challenges and solutions.  

How does the graduate scheme work? 

When you join, you will be enrolled onto our graduate scheme. The programme will take 2 years to complete and has been designed to equip you with the skills you need to excel in your chosen profession and help you achieve professional membership or chartership. 

You can find more details about our schemes here. 

Benefits for you 

• Practical experience: gain valuable hands-on experience in your field.
• Skill improvement: develop technical and professional skills.
• Networking: build professional relationships and expand your network.
• Career insight: gain insights into your chosen industry and potential career paths. 

What are we looking for? 

We're looking for people due to graduate in 2026, or have recently graduated within the past three years, with a degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineer/Technology, Interior Architecture or a related field. 

The role of Graduate Design Manager is great for you if: 

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Interested in learning to plan and manage a project. 
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
• Build relationships with people external to your company.
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Project).
• Must hold Full UK Driving License 

Rewards and benefits 

We are proud to be able to offer our brilliant people a variety of flexible benefits that you can tailor to your needs. You can see more information of benefits here. 

Diversity and inclusion 

Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a high priority for us. We're proud of the steps we've taken so far, but we know we must always do more. Our employees are key in shaping Kier's diversity and inclusion initiatives, and our people have made a huge impact on how we work, by using their experiences to shape our policies. You can see our D&I action plan here. 

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview. 

We look forward to seeing your application to #joinkier 

Recruitment timeline 

October 2025: Initial applications 

November 2025: Application reviews 

January 2026 onwards: Virtual and in-person assessment centres