Design Lead Design Lead in Lowestoft, Suffolk

Our client Scottish Power Renewables are currently recruiting for a Design and Build Lead to join their team based in Lowestoft on a contract basis initially. Ideally for this role they are looking for an experienced Design and Build Lead with a background in offshore wind.

Main Purpose of Job

We are seeking a talented and experienced Design and Build (D&B) Lead to manage and oversee our new facility construction project from conception to completion. The D&B lead will be the lead in planning, specifications, design and construction of the projects temporary and permanent facilities (buildings and ports infrastructure) for the construction and subsequent operations and maintenance of the Scottish Power Renewables offshore windfarms. The D&B Lead shall report to the Project Construction Manager. The ideal candidate will be responsible for ensuring that all projects are completed to company and regulatory standards.

The individual will lead tendering and award of the relevant consultant services and construction developers to develop the relevant project infrastructure. The successful candidate will carry out general contract administration, including formulating the contract structure, agreeing variations and valuations. As part of their role they would be tasked with planning, management and monitoring of the construction activities including activities such as site mobilisation, safety conditions across all contractors, performance monitoring, programming updates, leading day to day on site activities i.e participation of the management of contractors, material monitoring and alignment of internal and external obligations to ensure successful project competitions.

The candidate shall adhere to the highest construction practise and ensure Scottish Power requirements are at the forefront. Manage project risk and implement mitigation strategies to minimise project delays and cost overruns. Ensure that all project documents are up to date and accurate, this includes construction drawings, specification, and project plans/key milestones.

Key Tasks

• Act as the Employer's overall Design & Build Lead, accountable for the safe, compliant and successful delivery of the new building from tender through to completion and operational handover.
• Discharge the Client duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, acting as CDM representative and ensuring statutory compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure suitable and competent duty-holders (including Principal Designer and Principal Contractor) are appointed, monitored and fulfilling their CDM responsibilities.
• Define, develop and manage the Design & Build procurement strategy, including scope, Employer's Requirements, performance criteria, interfaces, quality standards and handover obligations.
• Coordinate and issue pre-construction information to designers and contractors, ensuring risks, constraints and project requirements are clearly communicated.
• Lead the tender process, coordinating technical and commercial inputs, managing bidder engagement and clarifications, and supporting tender evaluation and award recommendations.
• Manage contract award and mobilisation activities, establishing project governance, communication protocols, reporting structures and interface management arrangements.
• Review and monitor construction phase plans, programmes, logistics, welfare facilities and resource proposals to ensure suitability prior to commencement of site works.
• Act as the primary interface between Scottish Power, designers, contractors, consultants, regulators, utilities, local authorities and third-party stakeholders.
• Provide employer-side oversight of design development, ensuring compliance with Employer's Requirements, statutory approvals, health and safety duties and operational needs.
• Lead coordination between design and construction activities, managing interfaces, resolving technical issues and controlling design and scope changes in accordance with the contract.
• Oversee construction delivery, ensuring works are carried out in accordance with agreed programme, budget, quality, safety and environmental standards.
• Monitor contractor performance through regular site inspections, progress meetings and reporting, driving corrective actions where performance falls below expectations.
• Proactively manage project risks, hazards, assumptions and change, implementing mitigation measures to minimise safety incidents, delays, claims and cost overruns.
• Chair and attend project, progress and safety meetings, providing clear and structured reporting to the project team and senior stakeholders.
• Ensure coordination with internal package managers and support delivery of site works in line with commercial conditions of contract, minimising delays and variations.
• Ensure the health and safety file is developed, reviewed and maintained throughout the project, with accurate and up-to-date information.
• Lead testing, commissioning, completion and handover activities, ensuring the building is safe, compliant, fully documented and ready for operational use.
• Ensure all handover documentation is complete and suitable for maintenance and operations, including O&M manuals, drawings, asset data and statutory records.
• Manage project close-out activities, including defects management, support to final accounts, lessons learned capture and transition into the maintenance and operational phase.
• Produce weekly and monthly reports as required.

Key Criteria

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in project management, with a focus on design, commercial construction and sustainability.
• Proven experience in managing large and complex construction projects.
• Experience in utilising JCT Design & Build form of contracts.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of relevant codes, standards, and regulations, including the Construction Design and Management Regulation 2015 and Building Safety Act 2022.
• Knowledge of specification, design, maintenance, construction, and commissioning of either civil, or commercial builds.
• Experience with building information modelling (BIM) and computer-aided design (CAD) software is desirable.
• Excellent report writing, presentation skills and ability to summarise key parameters and drivers impacting the project and business.
• Ability to work, manage teams and manage decision making processes under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Sound planning and analysis skills with the ability to look forward and see/anticipate problems and thereafter plan and implement mitigating solutions to negate the effect of such problems.
• Problem solving - dealing with conflicting requirements.

Qualification & Training

• Engineering, Design (Alternative would be Building Studies, Building Engineering or Building Management or a HNC / HND / Degree in Construction Management, Surveying or Architecture (including an industrial placement)).
• Proficient in Microsoft suite of products (Word, Excel etc).
• First Aid at work.
• IOSH Managing Safely (or similar).