DAGMARA SURUS
Bristol
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in design and pre-construction management, specialising in commercial refurbishment and retrofit projects, including CAT A and CAT B fit-outs. Demonstrates proficiency in workplace strategy and transformation management, contractor and supply chain management, and technical design coordination across RIBA Stages 0–5. Skilled in managing design risk, change management, budget control, programme management, stakeholder engagement, and project administration. Adept at feasibility studies and business case development using tools such as Vectorworks CAD, Cinema 4D, Adobe Suite, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and generative AI tools. Committed to driving successful project outcomes through strategic planning and innovative solutions.
Overview
1
1
Certification
19
19
years of professional experience
Work history
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT LEAD
KERR OFFICE GROUP, SWINDON
Swindon
2026.03 - 2026.07
- Leading pre-construction and design management for commercial workplace, refurbishment and fit-out projects from strategic briefing through technical design and project mobilisation.
- Lead multidisciplinary design teams through feasibility, technical design and pre-construction.
- Coordinate architects, engineers, specialist consultants, contractors and suppliers, managing design programmes and technical information to deliver commercially viable, buildable solutions.
- Drive technical coordination, design reviews, value engineering and risk management throughout project development.
- Build trusted relationships with clients, consultants and internal teams, providing leadership throughout the pre-construction phase.
- Lead the development and implementation of pre-construction processes, design management standards and project governance to improve quality, consistency and project delivery.
- Develop standardised workflows, templates and best practice procedures to improve collaboration, operational efficiency and business performance.
CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN PROJECT MANAGER
SHAPE STUDIO, BRISTOL
Bristol
2025.02 - 2026.03
- Responsible for the design management and delivery of multiple commercial refurbishment projects from feasibility through construction and handover.
- Managed multidisciplinary design teams across concurrent refurbishment projects.
- Coordinated architects, engineers, contractors and specialist consultants.
- Led client liaison, design coordination meetings and technical reviews.
- Managed project programmes, budgets and design risks.
- Oversaw procurement activities and contractor coordination.
- Supported Directors with project governance and business improvement initiatives.
- Key Projects
- Guildhall Chambers, Bristol – Grade II Listed office refurbishment and CAT B fit-out.
- The Climbing Academy, Bristol – Commercial fit-out project.
COMMERCIAL PROJECT LEAD | WORKPLACE TRANSFORMATION CONSULTANT
SURUS DESIGN Ltd, BRISTOL
Bristol
2024.10 - 2025.02
- Delivered workplace consultancy, technical design and commercial refurbishment projects across RIBA Stages 0–4, coordinating multidisciplinary consultants, producing tender documentation and supporting project delivery.
- Selected Projects
- Financial Conduct Authority, London
- Developed workplace transformation proposals focused on neurodiversity-inclusive design and organisational change.
- Exacta Technologies, Bristol
- Delivered concept design and detailed design development to RIBA Stage 4.
BUSINESS ANALYST (2021) | WORKPLACE DESIGNER (2022) | TRANSFORMATION MANAGER (2023) | NEW WAYS OF WORKING PROJECT MANAGER (2024)
BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
Birmingham
2021.01 - 2024.01
- Led workplace transformation, refurbishment and relocation programmes across one of the UK's largest local authority estates, managing multidisciplinary teams, consultants and stakeholders from feasibility through delivery.
- Led workplace refurbishment and relocation projects across complex operational environments.
- Developed workplace strategies, feasibility studies and business cases.
- Managed multidisciplinary consultants, contractors and stakeholder engagement.
- Delivered Agile workplace environments supporting organisational transformation.
- Coordinated design development, project delivery and workplace change programmes.
- Selected Projects
- Birmingham Operations Centre
- Birmingham Council House
- The Library of Birmingham
- Woodcock Street Hub
- Birmingham Children's Trust South Hub
TRANSFORMATION MANAGER (G6)
LONDON BOROUGH OF EALING
London
2023.03 - 2023.11
- Led workplace transformation strategy, stakeholder engagement and workplace design standards supporting future estate modernisation.
- Led workplace transformation strategy for Perceval House.
- Delivered Agile pilot workplace environments.
- Facilitated workshops and stakeholder engagement programmes.
- Developed workplace standards supporting future estate modernisation.
SENIOR COMMERCIAL & WORKPLACE DESIGNER
PLACE MAKING, BRISTOL
Bristol
2016.02 - 2021.03
- Delivered workplace refurbishment, feasibility studies and workplace strategy projects for public-sector organisations, coordinating stakeholders and multidisciplinary project teams.
- KEY PROJECTS:
- Aston University – Workplace strategy, design and delivery coordination
- Bristol City Hall – Delivery coordination
- Newport City Council Smart Working Hub – Design and delivery coordination
- Newport, Civic Centre – New ways of Working feasibility and transformation proposals
- Bristol New Operations Centre – Design and delivery coordination
COMMERCIAL INTERIOR DESIGNER & 3D VISUALISER
HAMBURY HIRD DESIGN
2012.01 - 2015.05
- Delivered commercial workplace design projects from concept through technical delivery, producing photorealistic 3D visualisations, technical design packages and tender documentation for major corporate clients.
- Key Clients
- BMW
- Rolls-Royce
- Network Rail
- Prudential
- Ministry of Defence
HEAD OF INTERIOR DESIGN DEPARTMENT
WALAS, WROCLAW
Wroclaw
2007.10 - 2010.10
- Led the Interior Design team, delivering commercial workplace, education and hospitality projects from concept through technical delivery.
- Key Projects
- Sky Tower
- Stadium Lantern
- Kinnarps
JUNIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER
EVOLVE DESIGN, HEWISH
Hewish
2007.06 - 2007.10
- Supported commercial retail projects through CAD production, site surveys and technical documentation.
Education
Master of Arts - Interior Architecture
Academy of Fine Arts & Design
WroclawErasmus Exchange Programme - Design, Contemporary Arts and Decoration
Academia di Belle Arti di Brera
MilanDiploma - Metal Art
High School of Fine Arts & Design
WroclawSkills
- Design & Pre-Construction Management
- Commercial Refurbishment & Retrofit CAT A & CAT B Fit-Out
- Workplace Strategy & Transformation Management
- Contractor & Supply Chain Management
- RIBA Stages 0–5
- Technical Design Coordination
- Design Risk & Change Management
- Budget & Cost Control
- Programme Management & Stakeholder Engagement
- Project Administration
- Feasibility & Business Case Development
- Vectorworks CAD, Cinema 4D, Adobe Suite, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Generative AI Tools
Certification
- PRINCE2 Foundation (certified) & Practitioner (in progress) – UpGrape
- Generative AI Fundamentals Skills Bootcamp – University of the West of England
- Managing Hybrid and Remote Teams Skills Bootcamp – University of the West of England
- Leadership and Management Skills Bootcamp – YTKO & WECA
- Business for Creative Industries – Mastered & WECA
EDUCATION & INTEREST
Outside of work, I continue to develop my artistic practice as an exhibiting artist. I enjoy photography, travel, surfing and keeping up to date with emerging technologies and AI.
Timeline
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT LEAD
KERR OFFICE GROUP, SWINDON
2026.03 - 2026.07
CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN PROJECT MANAGER
SHAPE STUDIO, BRISTOL
2025.02 - 2026.03
COMMERCIAL PROJECT LEAD | WORKPLACE TRANSFORMATION CONSULTANT
SURUS DESIGN Ltd, BRISTOL
2024.10 - 2025.02
TRANSFORMATION MANAGER (G6)
LONDON BOROUGH OF EALING
2023.03 - 2023.11
BUSINESS ANALYST (2021) | WORKPLACE DESIGNER (2022) | TRANSFORMATION MANAGER (2023) | NEW WAYS OF WORKING PROJECT MANAGER (2024)
BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
2021.01 - 2024.01
SENIOR COMMERCIAL & WORKPLACE DESIGNER
PLACE MAKING, BRISTOL
2016.02 - 2021.03
COMMERCIAL INTERIOR DESIGNER & 3D VISUALISER
HAMBURY HIRD DESIGN
2012.01 - 2015.05
HEAD OF INTERIOR DESIGN DEPARTMENT
WALAS, WROCLAW
2007.10 - 2010.10
JUNIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER
EVOLVE DESIGN, HEWISH
2007.06 - 2007.10
Erasmus Exchange Programme - Design, Contemporary Arts and Decoration
Academia di Belle Arti di Brera
Master of Arts - Interior Architecture
Academy of Fine Arts & Design
Diploma - Metal Art
High School of Fine Arts & Design