Design Coordinator

About JJ Rhatigan & Company

A leading building contractor operating across Ireland and the UK, currently seeking a Design Coordinator for a key role based in Galway.

Role Overview

The Design Coordinator (DC) acts as a vital member of the Project Delivery Team along with the Project Manager, Design Manager, and Quantity Surveyor. This position leads the production and management of design documentation to ensure it is fully coordinated among consultants and contractors, complies with tender specifications, legal regulations, budget constraints, and buildability standards, all delivered promptly per the project schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate independently with proactive initiative and recognize when involvement from the Design Manager is necessary.
• Manage and mentor Project Document Controllers, promote continuous improvement, enforce company procedures, and support document controllers' professional growth.
• Maintain weekly communication with senior consultants, clients, and stakeholders, demonstrating determination, drive, and effective negotiation and communication skills.
• Ensure design management integrates commercial, contractual, scheduling, and technical considerations, seeking value-added alternatives and confirming buildability and budget adherence throughout each design phase.
• Resolve issues promptly with decisive action and clear accountability.
• Proactively identify and mitigate health and safety risks within the design and construction process by considering construction methods during design formulation.
• Assist the Design Manager in appointing the Design Delivery Team, including consultants and contractors.
• Thoroughly review project documentation such as specifications, employer requirements, planning reports, approvals, and all related tender materials.
• Monitor timely delivery and coordination of design information against construction and procurement schedules; promptly report delays or program challenges to the project team.
• Prepare and regularly update key design management documents within two weeks of project start and ongoing:
• Design Programme / IRS
• Milestone Payment Schedule
• Design Responsibility Matrix
• Planning Condition Tracker
• Design Risk & Opportunity Schedule
• Building Warranty Tracker
• Building Control Tracker
• Design Fee Schedule
• Design Team Meeting Agenda
• Design Change Tracker (Change Control)
• Take over facilitation of Design Team meetings/workshops, ensuring clear meeting minutes with actions, responsibilities, and deadlines distributed within two days.
• Coordinate fortnightly Design Review Meeting documentation, monitoring progress and resolving outstanding issues prior to subsequent meetings together with the Regional Design Lead and Design Manager.
• Ensure all design drawings are reviewed for required detail and align with tender-priced employer requirements; maintain a comprehensive change control process.
• Oversee document control procedures as established by the BIM Manager, ensuring compliance across consultants and contractors.
• Support document controller in compiling all necessary documents for BCAR handover and assist with O&M Manual preparations.
• Develop and implement a Design Close Out Schedule two months before design completion, addressing remaining design issues, planning and building control conditions, warranties, BREEAM certification, O&M manual and HUG, as-built drawings, program air and acoustic tests, and technical submittals sign-off.

Performance Metrics

• Effectiveness of communication and collaboration with project team members.
• Efficient management and delivery through critical design stages including team setup, discharge of pre-commencement planning conditions, stage 4 design production, coordination of consultants and subcontractors, external facade package approval, technical submittals, and sample approvals.
• Timeliness and resolution effectiveness in addressing design issues and remedial actions.