G
Graham Group

GRAHAM Academy – Design Coordinator Placement Student - Interior Fit Out

Sectors

Creative arts & design
Design

About The Role

Division: Interior Fit Out

Location: Northern Ireland

Contract Type: Year out placement, Fixed-term contract

Reporting To: Senior Design Manager

Benefits: Car Allowance, Pension Scheme, Life Assurance, 35 days holiday + more

Job Summary

As a Design Coordinator Placement Student, you'll play a key role in transforming interior spaces from concept to completion. Working alongside experienced designers, architects, project managers, and site teams, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience while developing your technical and professional skills throughout your placement year.

This role provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience within the fast-paced interior fit-out sector. You'll develop an understanding of space planning, commercial interiors, finishing materials, building services coordination, and the practical challenges of delivering high-quality workplace, retail, hospitality, and specialist interior environments.

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities

Design Coordination & Support

  • Assist in the development and coordination of interior fit-out design proposals.
  • Support the design team in preparing and reviewing drawings, specifications, finishes schedules, and technical submissions.
  • Coordinate design information between architects, consultants, subcontractors, and project teams.
  • Help ensure design solutions are practical, buildable, compliant, and aligned with client requirements.

Project Documentation

  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date project design documentation.
  • Assist with the preparation of technical reports, presentations, meeting minutes, and design trackers.
  • Support the review and management of RFIs, drawing revisions, and design change requests.

Site Visits & Project Delivery

  • Undertake site visits to develop an understanding of interior fit-out processes and project delivery.
  • Observe and assist with the implementation of design solutions on-site.
  • Support site teams in ensuring works are completed in accordance with approved designs and specifications.

Technical Assistance

  • Provide support to the Design Team throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Assist in resolving design-related queries from project teams, subcontractors, and suppliers.
  • Gain an understanding of interior finishes, furniture coordination, building services integration, and space utilisation.

Personal Specification

Technical Competencies

Essential

  • Currently studying a higher or degree-level qualification in Architectural Technology, Architecture, or a related discipline.
  • Strong interest in interior fit-out, design, and construction.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Some knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, or similar design software.
  • Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable

  • Understanding of commercial interior environments and fit-out projects.
  • CSCS Card.
  • Full UK Driving Licence.
  • Exposure to BIM processes and design coordination platforms.

Behavioural Competencies

  • Commercial Awareness: Develops an understanding of project budgets, programme constraints, client requirements, and the commercial drivers behind successful fit-out delivery.
  • Leadership Skills: Communicates effectively and demonstrates commitment to working as part of an integrated project team.
  • Effective Communication Skills: Able to adapt communication to different audiences and produce clear written documentation under supervision. Maintains positive relationships with clients, consultants, suppliers, and colleagues while promoting the GRAHAM brand.
  • Customer Focus: Recognises the importance of understanding client needs and contributing to the delivery of high-quality interior environments that exceed expectations.
  • Influencing: Builds positive working relationships with stakeholders and demonstrates an ability to collaborate effectively to achieve project objectives.
  • Initiative: Demonstrates a proactive approach to learning and problem-solving. Seeks opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, and contribute positively to project success.
  • Team Player: Works collaboratively, supports colleagues, and contributes towards achieving project and business objectives. Demonstrates integrity, commitment, and professionalism.
  • Negotiation: Shows a willingness to learn how effective coordination and communication support successful collaboration across the supply chain and project teams.

About You

GRAHAM ROUTES TO BECOMING A DESIGN MANAGER

Industrial Placements

Our industrial placements can last from 3-12 months, dependent on your college/university curriculum. On your placement, you will be given the support, guidance and experience which will lay the foundations for a great future in a Construction career. Show us what you can do and your placement could lead to a company scholarship award and an offer of employment when you graduate.

Our Commitment:

At GRAHAM, we are proud to say that we are a committed Equal Opportunities Employer and we aim to be the first choice for people from all backgrounds. We seek to promote respect for the individual and equality of opportunities. We believe that everyone should be treated solely on the basis of personal merit and contribution throughout their GRAHAM career journey and not on the value of artificial barriers, prejudices, or preferences. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to making our policies and guidance accessible to all applicants and employees. A basic disclosure may be requested if security clearance is required by 3rd party clients and a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position. Our Access NI/Vetting and Barring Scheme Policy and Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available upon request.

GRAHAM reserves the right to carry out checks to ensure the validity of an applicant’s experience and/or qualifications and we expect all applicants to comply with any such requests for information. Failure to do so or evidence of any falsification of information will lead to either removal from the recruitment process or, if already in employment, potential termination of contract through the company disciplinary procedure.

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