Education Design and Innovation Lead

Location: Manchester/ Leeds/ Belfast OR London

Division: Building

Contract Type: Permanent

Benefits: Car Allowance, Pension Scheme, Private Medical Cover, Life Assurance, 35 Days Annual Leave + more

At GRAHAM, we are committed to delivering high-quality, innovative designs that meet the Department for Education (DfE) Output Specification, the Generic Design Brief, and industry standards. As a leader in education design, we are looking for an Education Design and Innovation Lead to drive excellence, compliance, and innovation across DfE-funded projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee the entire design process, from proposals to construction, with a focus on the work-winning stage.
• Manage a design team to prepare competitive proposals in response to DfE Invitations to Tender (ITTs).
• Ensure compliance with legislation, industry regulations, and company policies, staying up to date with evolving DfE design standards.
• Keep pace with the latest design technologies and processes to enhance design efficiency.
• Manage design budgets and timelines, ensuring seamless coordination of deliverables during ITT and PCSA stages.
• Drive innovation in GRAHAM's Standardised Education Design and Kit of Parts, collaborating closely with internal stakeholders.
• Present design information at tender interviews, showcasing technical excellence and strategy.
• Work closely with Regional Design Managers to ensure continuity from ITT stage to PCSA.
• Engage with the IM team to ensure compliance in all design submissions during PCSA.
• Champion continuous improvement, implementing a standardised approach across all business regions.
• Define and agree on scope of services and design responsibilities for consultants.
• Develop and manage a detailed design and procurement programme, considering all interdependencies.
• Chair and document regular design and technical meetings, ensuring alignment with budget, programme, and technical constraints.
• Oversee the flow of design information, directing the Project Admin/Document Controller as necessary.

Essential Criteria:

• Proven experience in Design Management, ideally within a Tier 1 construction company.
• Strong background in Education sector projects, particularly DfE-funded developments.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to present design information effectively.
• Advanced technical knowledge of construction practices, industry regulations, and legislative requirements.
• Strong project management and organisational skills, with a solutions-driven mindset.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities, capable of collaborating with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement.
• Expertise in risk management and mitigation, with a commercial mindset aligned to project objectives.
• Ability to make timely, strategic decisions in line with process milestones.
• Capable of integrating design seamlessly with broader project objectives.
• Strong leadership skills, capable of driving a design team within the work-winning function.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in DfE framework delivery, including Passivhaus principles.
• Knowledge of off-site modular construction techniques.
• Membership in a professional body (e.g., CIOB, RIBA, RICS, CIBSE).
• Understanding of sustainable building practices and energy-efficient solutions.
• Experience managing large-scale education projects exceeding £50M.

Why Join GRAHAM?

• Competitive benefits, including Car Allowance, Private Medical Cover, Life Assurance, Pension Scheme.
• Opportunity to work on landmark education projects that shape learning environments across the UK.
• Be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team, driving innovation in education design.

Ready to make an impact? Apply today and help shape the future of education design!

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. If you need this document in an alternative format, such as large print, audio, or braille, please contact us.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. If you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme, please contact Louise Hunter, Resourcing Manager.

We are only able to consider applications from individuals who are eligible to live and work in the UK, as per Home Office regulations. Please check your eligibility with the regulations before applying. Individuals with a current time restricted right to work in the UK should contact the Human Resources team in the first instance.

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.