Head of Design Management

Our client are looking for an experienced Head of Design Management to lead Design Management within the Essex office. Reporting to the Area Director, you will be responsible for the day-to day management of the Design Management function including line management of Design Managers, resourcing and recruitment, project input within pre-construction and construction phases, design programme development and reporting, compliance with MS processes and standards. This position is office based with the requirement for regular site visits.  

Through the administering of our client's Design Management processes, you will be managing and co-ordinating safely the overall design process through the RIBA design stages, inputting to bid/work winning, PCSA/Second Stage, SHEQ, operations and commercial reviews. Sustainability and Digital knowledge/capabilities are essential for how our client works as this is built into their business-as-usual approach to design management.   

You will ensure completion and compliance of design management departmental procedures, be involved with design strategy and approach and ensure adherence to the design brief / scope of service and develop a comprehensive scope of service for the key stages of the project.   

The successful candidate will oversee design managers and their management/co-ordination of activities for the design team, supply chain and statutory bodies (e.g. Local Authority planners & Building Control/HSE) in line with programme critical dates, and ensure that the design process recognises compliance issues, current legislation, standards and codes of practice.   

What are they looking for? 

You may be an existing Principal Design Manager or Senior Design Manager who has previous experience of line management and looking for the next step in your career. This opportunity will include the management of a larger group of team members, and inputting to the evolution of design management within our client's business through the national Design Manager HoDM working group.   

You will have previous large or medium scale project experience across the RIBA plan of work stages, strong two-stage (PCSA) design and build procurement experience and on-site design management. Previous Tier one main contractor construction knowledge with qualifications to a BA / BSc level and/or membership of relevant professional institute is preferred.  

Ideally you will have: 

• Significant experience in the main contracting market with experience of working on Education, Healthcare and/or Higher Education sectors upon schemes between £10 and £50million. 

• Network of existing consultant contacts and relationships. 

• Ability to lead a professional team of consultants is important along with strong sustainability knowledge including BREEAM previous project experience across the Bid/Delivery stage. 

• Extensive experience in Pre-construction (PSCA), BIM, embodied carbon calculation, Energy-in-use, is advantageous. 

• Experience presenting to variety of stakeholders/customers in both the work winning environment and also regular reporting process. 

To thrive in our client's business, you should share their passion for the project at hand and enjoy working in an inclusive and hardworking team environment. Their employees work collectively, encouraging and challenging each other to succeed. Across the business they treat everyone equally and have developed a community where voices are heard, and respected. 

Benefits 

Our client strives to support our colleagues to achieve a healthy work-life balance. They understand that many of their  people have family and personal responsibilities and so are committed to providing that support with benefits including the following on-top of your salary: 

• Pension Scheme matched up to 6%; 

• 26 days holiday plus bank holidays and rising to 30 days after 8 years’ service 

• Holiday plus scheme; 

• Private Healthcare Cover; 

• Life Assurance up to 4 times your basic salary; 

• Recognition for professional qualification/membership achieved up to £1000; 

• Mental Wellbeing and Employee Supports; 

• Company car/car allowance; 

• Sharesave Plan; 

• Incentive Scheme; 

• People Portal for high street discounts; 

• Long Service Wards; 

• Enhanced Family leave 

About Us 

Our client provides national construction and infrastructure services to private and public sector customers across a comprehensive range of markets. They aim to create great results for their customers, partners and themselves. 

Their Leadership are focused on building a sustainable and profitable business unit based on selective, relationship-based business driven by outstanding people who are motivated by delivering an exceptional customer experience. Relationships with their customers and supply chain partners drives their business strategy. They have a balanced approach to securing new work, engaging with customers and frameworks that offer the opportunity for long-term relationships and repeat business. 

Please refer to the full Job Description upon completing your application  

Our client encourages diversity of people and thought, and embrace peoples’ differences.  

Everyone is unique and they value the different ideas, experiences, and perspectives that each individual brings to their work, their team, and the wider business.  

They are committed to ensuring they create the absolute best place to work in the industry, and an environment where every person feels included and is treated equally, fairly and with respect.  

Our client actively promotes an inclusive culture where you can be yourself at work. It’s this approach they believe brings out the best in everyone and creates a fun, dynamic, innovative, and rewarding environment.