At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage design processes for innovative residential projects.
- Company: A family-run construction company prioritising people and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, increasing holiday benefits, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment with strong career development.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential design and team management required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Speller Metcalfe is on a mission to build a sustainable company at the forefront of construction, with a people-first approach. As a family business with over 30 years’ experience, our focus is on developing your skills for a long-term career. We pride ourselves on high levels of staff retention, ensuring that you are not just a cog in the machine but someone who can truly impact how we do business.
Our background
Established in 1995 by Steve Speller and Andy Metcalfe, we have developed into one of the UK’s leading regional contractors, predominantly working across the Midlands and South West regions. With offices in Malvern and Wolverhampton, we deliver a range of public and private sector projects from £250k up to £30 million across various fields including education, healthcare, residential, and leisure.
The job
How you’ll contribute
You will be responsible for leading, monitoring, and managing the deployment of design management resources and processes for the division to ensure successful delivery of preconstruction and construction design deliverables. The main tasks and responsibilities include:
- Lead and develop the Design Management function within the Living (Residential) division, ensuring consistent, robust, and compliant design delivery across projects.
- Establish and implement standardised design management processes, working closely with Operations and Preconstruction managers.
- Manage and allocate design management resources effectively, including line management, performance management, and future workforce planning.
- Oversee design delivery from pre-construction through to handover, ensuring programmes, costs, quality, safety, and regulatory requirements are met.
- Drive best-value, cost-effective, and innovative design solutions while managing risk, compliance, and defects liability.
- Coordinate and manage external consultants and specialist designers, monitoring performance against time, cost, and quality criteria.
- Support bid and tender processes with technical input to help secure accurate and competitive submissions.
- Maintain strong client relationships, promoting high standards of service, collaboration, and repeat business.
- Champion health & safety, regulatory compliance (including Building Safety Act and Building Regulations), and BIM best practice.
- Provide strong, visible leadership that reflects Speller Metcalfe’s values and supports the development, motivation, and capability of the Design Management team.
Who are we looking for?
To be successful in this role, you will bring proven leadership and commercial awareness, as well as:
- Experience working in the residential sector;
- Experience managing teams;
- High degree of technical knowledge relevant to the residential sector;
- Able to lead and develop a team to achieve best value solutions across a variety of projects that satisfy project-specific and regulatory standards.
Core behaviours which will help you to be successful in this role include:
- Acts with honesty and integrity;
- Takes responsibility and accountability;
- Is a team player;
- Takes responsibility for safety;
- Has strong morals;
- Builds and manages strong relationships;
- Strong levels of self-awareness;
- Acts with curiosity;
- Listens to understand;
- Interacts with the team and the business;
- Shows high levels of emotional intelligence;
- Is open and embraces change;
- Is proactive;
- Shows an open mind;
- Drives for results.
The successful candidate will be provided with training and mentoring as required. This is a full-time position, with core working hours between 08:30 – 17:00.
What’s in it for you?
As well as a competitive salary, increasing holiday benefits, and access to private healthcare, we offer a number of other benefits for our staff.
Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging, we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. Our mission has always been to encourage, develop, and combine the individual talents of our staff, and we welcome and encourage staff from all backgrounds and abilities.
We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process, please get in touch and let us know.
Head of Design employer: Speller Metcalfe Ltd
At Speller Metcalfe, we pride ourselves on being a people-first construction company that values the development and well-being of our employees. With over 30 years of experience, we offer a supportive work culture that fosters long-term career growth, competitive salaries, and comprehensive benefits including private healthcare and increasing holiday allowances. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every team member feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in their role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Design
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your work! Create a portfolio that highlights your best design projects. When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, having tangible examples of your work can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Speller Metcalfe is all about a people-first approach, so be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Speller Metcalfe.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for design and construction shine through. We want to see how your values align with our people-first approach and how you can contribute to our mission.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to customise your CV to highlight your experience in the residential sector and your leadership skills. We love seeing how your background fits with what we do, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences are easy to spot. This helps us understand your journey and how you can impact our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Speller Metcalfe Ltd
✨Know Your Design Management Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your design management processes and how they apply specifically to the residential sector. Be ready to discuss how you've led teams in the past and the innovative solutions you've implemented.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Speller Metcalfe values strong leadership, so think about examples that demonstrate your ability to motivate and develop a team. Prepare to share how you’ve built relationships and fostered collaboration in previous roles.
✨Understand Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Speller Metcalfe’s family values and people-first approach. Be prepared to explain how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of building a sustainable company.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that test your technical knowledge relevant to the residential sector. Brush up on current regulations, safety standards, and BIM best practices, as these will likely come up during the interview.
