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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage the design team for energy and utilities projects, ensuring high standards and efficiency.
- Company: Join OCU, a forward-thinking company committed to integrity, collaboration, and innovation.
- Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for professional growth and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the energy sector while leading diverse teams and driving excellence.
- Qualifications: Proven senior design leadership experience in energy/power construction and strong strategic planning skills.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace valuing diverse perspectives and fostering a sense of belonging.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
As the Design Director, you will hold overall responsibility for the daily operation, coordination, and performance of OCU’s energy and utilities design function. You will lead senior managers, influence at board level, and ensure the design team is fully aligned with OCU’s strategic goals and client expectations. This is both a strategic and hands‑on leadership role, ideal for someone who thrives on building strong teams, refining processes, and delivering results at scale.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Set the strategic direction for the energy and utilities design function
- Lead the operational management of the design team, ensuring efficiency, quality, and consistency
- Develop and embed robust processes that support high‑performing design delivery
- Own resource planning and allocation across all projects, working closely with Senior Design Managers and Engineering Managers
- Ensure teams are well‑supported, effectively onboarded, and set up for success
- Support the growth and integration of our India‑based design team, aligning global capability with UK standards and project goals
- Promote accountability, performance management, and professional development at every level
Operational Excellence
- Champion best practice in design management, assurance, and delivery
- Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives across the design function
- Drive consistency and high standards across complex, multi‑disciplinary projects
Strategic Alignment & Stakeholder Leadership
- Work in close partnership with the Technical Director and senior leadership team
- Act as a senior escalation point for operational and resourcing challenges
- Ensure design output consistently meets client expectations and business objectives
- Directly support and mentor Senior Design Managers and Engineering Managers
- Build a collaborative, high‑performance culture focused on excellence and accountability
- Ensure leadership alignment across teams and projects
About you
- Proven experience in a senior design leadership role within the energy/power and utilities construction sector
- Strong background in delivering projects for DNOs, TNOs, and ICPs
- Demonstrable experience delivering to National Grid specifications
- Excellent leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills
- Strong capability in resource planning, operational management, and process improvement
- In‑depth understanding of industry standards and best practice
- Experience implementing design assurance and quality frameworks for major energy infrastructure
- Previous leadership of diverse or international teams, including remote or offshore design offices (e.g. India)
- Chartered status
If you are a senior design leader looking for a role in 2026 where you can truly influence, lead at scale, and drive excellence across the energy and utilities sector, we’d love to hear from you.
At OCU, our values guide everything we do: integrity, collaboration, respect, innovation and one company united. They shape how we work with our clients, communities, and each other. We believe that inclusion is more than a principle — it’s the foundation of our success. By embracing equity and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive, we create a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, and everyone feels they belong. Together, we build stronger teams, deliver better outcomes, and grow in ways that reflect the communities we serve. If you want to be part of a culture where values matter and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do apply now and help us shape the future together.
If you are invited to progress in the recruitment process, will you require any reasonable adjustments to support you? Please let us know so we can ensure the process is accessible and fair for you. Any information you share will be treated confidentially and will only be used to support you during the recruitment process.
Design Director in England employer: OCU
Contact Detail:
OCU Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Director in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the energy and utilities sector. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research OCU’s projects and values thoroughly. We want to see how you can align your experience with our goals. Practise common interview questions and think about how you can showcase your leadership skills and strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your portfolio! As a Design Director, your past work speaks volumes. Bring examples of your best projects to the table. We love seeing how you’ve led teams and delivered results, especially in complex environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for candidates who are genuinely interested in being part of our culture and values. Let’s shape the future together!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Director in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in energy and utilities design. We want to see how your skills align with our strategic goals, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've led!
Showcase Leadership Skills: As a Design Director, your leadership experience is crucial. We’re looking for examples of how you’ve built strong teams and driven performance. Share specific instances where you’ve influenced at a senior level or mentored others.
Highlight Process Improvement: We love candidates who can demonstrate their ability to refine processes and drive operational excellence. Include any initiatives you've led that improved efficiency or quality in design delivery – we want to hear about your impact!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at OCU
✨Know Your Design Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of OCU’s strategic goals and how your design philosophy aligns with them. Be ready to discuss how you can set the strategic direction for their energy and utilities design function.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading diverse teams, especially in the energy sector. Discuss how you've influenced at board level and built high-performance cultures, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Process Improvement Expertise
Be ready to talk about specific processes you've developed or improved in previous roles. Highlight any continuous improvement initiatives you've led, particularly those that resulted in operational excellence and efficiency.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've collaborated with senior leadership and technical teams in the past. Prepare to discuss your approach to stakeholder management and how you ensure design outputs meet client expectations and business objectives.
