2026 Design Management Apprenticeship - Public Sector, Life Sciences and Technology - Oxford
Mace Construct
Oxford (OX4 4GA)
Closes in 21 days (Friday 13 February 2026)
Posted on 22 January 2026
Contents
Summary
In Design Management, you will support the process of managing the design strategy and implementation throughout the project lifecycle.
- Wage
-
£22,200 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
- A permanent role from the moment you join
- Travel allowance to cover expenses between your home, workplace, and place of study
- Training course
- Construction design and build technician (level 4)
- Hours
-
Exact shifts TBC. Our site teams typically start early and finish in the late afternoon, so adaptability and energy are key. It’s a fast-paced environment where you’ll see the results of your work taking shape every day.
36 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
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Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
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4 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Supporting with the delivery of delegated elements of annual business plan and outcomes to deadlines and budget Assisting the Design Manager to present design review data/key performance indicators (KPIs) to project and sub-function leadership
- Working with team members providing operational delivery of team/regional strategy of work winning activities
- Assisting to ensure management system and whole project roles and responsibilities are followed
- Assisting and contributing to activities reported in management reviews, collating, analysing, and presenting data and key metrics
- Providing general administration to support the effective operation of design management within a project team
- Working collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition
Where you'll work
Magdalen Centre
1 Robert Robinson Avenue
Oxford
OX4 4GA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ESTATE MANAGEMENT
Training course
Construction design and build technician (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods to interpret and solve technical, engineering and design problems.
- Interpret and compare performance information to choose compliant materials, components and parts.
- Select and use technical literature and other sources of information and data.
- Produce design and technical drawings, designs, and models, using analytical and computer-based software packages.
- Produce technical design solutions.
- Comply with industry standards, CDM, statutory regulation and legislation, policies, and codes of practice.
- Comply with health, safety and welfare regulations, standards and guidance.
- Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate and mitigate risk.
- Apply principles of sustainable development and assess impact.
- Apply ethical and data security principles to design projects.
- Prepare written design reports.
- Interact with the operation and maintenance of a Common Data Environment CDE and ensure this maintains integrity and follows agreed protocols and that data security.
- Handle information including validating, managing, disseminating and storing throughout all stages of a project or asset.
- Identify design defects and solve problems to advise a compliant outcome, escalate issues or concerns.
- Apply quality assurance techniques.
- Use computer based software systems and packages to manage construction projects for example BIM tools, data analytics and databases.
- Conduct site inspections of designs and report findings.
- Comply with sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance including the management and designing out of waste.
- Optimise energy use through design of efficient fabric, passive and active design solutions, low energy lighting, building controls, energy performance.
- Optimise site potential and building space.
- Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using sector specific terminology.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Apply project management techniques. For example: project budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
- Interpret and extract relevant information from drawings, specifications and work instructions including BIM, and other task specific modelling software
- Apply mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods to interpret and solve technical, engineering and design problems.
- Interpret and compare performance information to choose compliant materials, components and parts.
- Select and use technical literature and other sources of information and data.
- Produce design and technical drawings, designs, and models, using analytical and computer-based software packages.
- Produce technical design solutions.
- Comply with industry standards, CDM, statutory regulation and legislation, policies, and codes of practice.
- Comply with health, safety and welfare regulations, standards and guidance.
- Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate and mitigate risk.
- Apply principles of sustainable development and assess impact.
- Apply ethical and data security principles to design projects.
- Prepare written design reports.
- Interact with the operation and maintenance of a Common Data Environment CDE and ensure this maintains integrity and follows agreed protocols and that data security.
- Handle information including validating, managing, disseminating and storing throughout all stages of a project or asset.
- Identify design defects and solve problems to advise a compliant outcome, escalate issues or concerns.
- Apply quality assurance techniques.
- Use computer based software systems and packages to manage construction projects for example BIM tools, data analytics and databases.
- Conduct site inspections of designs and report findings.
- Comply with sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance including the management and designing out of waste.
- Optimise energy use through design of efficient fabric, passive and active design solutions, low energy lighting, building controls, energy performance.
- Optimise site potential and building space.
- Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using sector specific terminology.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Apply project management techniques. For example: project budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
- Interpret and extract relevant information from drawings, specifications and work instructions including BIM, and other task specific modelling software
Training schedule
Our four-year apprenticeship development programme gives you structured on-the-job training and the chance to take on meaningful work from day one. You’ll learn alongside experienced professionals, be supported by skilled mentors and peers, and gain exposure to different areas of our business as you grow your career.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
A Level in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
At Mace Construct, we are construction experts, bringing deep technical knowledge, on-the-ground experience and strong industry relationships to deliver complex and challenging projects. From major transport hubs and data centres to research facilities and large-scale commercial and residential developments, we turn ambitious plans into built reality.
Our success is driven by our people. Through their expertise, collaboration and commitment to finding better ways of working, they deliver with confidence and accountability. Our culture is built around safety, quality and integrity, creating an environment where people are empowered to take ownership and deliver excellence.
Together, we work in partnership with our clients and supply chain to build places that do more than just function. We deliver projects that leave lasting legacies and create positive impact for the communities they serve.
https://www.macegroup.com/careers/emerging-talent/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Pension scheme
- Life assurance, private medical insurance cover, and annual health assessment
- 24/7 access to health and wellbeing experts via our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
We’ll also support you in gaining professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ESTATE MANAGEMENT
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000009368.
Apply now
Closes in 21 days (Friday 13 February 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.