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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design management for major residential and mixed-use projects, ensuring compliance and coordination.
- Company: Join a leading contractor with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a strong safety culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in design leadership and drive innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in design management and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for mentorship and growth.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
Role Purpose
Provide strategic leadership of design management across major residential and mixed-use projects, ensuring design is fully coordinated, compliant, commercially robust and aligned with programme, procurement and construction delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the divisional design function, embedding standardised Tier 1 design management processes, governance and assurance.
- Align design delivery with programme, procurement, commercial strategy and construction sequencing.
- Manage design risk, change control and compliance across multiple live projects.
- Ensure full compliance with statutory, regulatory and safety requirements, including Building Safety Act and Building Regulations.
- Provide technical and design leadership into bids, tenders and two-stage procurement.
Pre-Construction & Delivery
- Lead design through pre-construction, construction and handover on complex, multi-disciplinary schemes.
- Coordinate consultants, specialist designers and supply chain partners to achieve fully buildable solutions.
- Control design programmes, information release schedules and common data environments.
- Drive value engineering and design optimisation while maintaining quality, safety and performance.
- Oversee BIM-led workflows, design coordination and clash resolution.
- Ensure timely discharge of planning conditions, building control approvals and statutory consents.
Commercial, Risk & Performance Management
- Monitor consultant performance against cost, time, quality and risk.
- Manage design change, scope creep and technical risk to protect programme and margin.
- Support procurement by aligning design with package strategies and trade contractor input.
- Maintain accurate design records and “golden thread” information to support compliance and handover.
- Lead, mentor and performance-manage senior and project design managers.
- Plan and manage resourcing for major frameworks and regional workloads.
- Develop capability, competence and succession within the design team.
- Promote a strong safety culture and technical excellence across the function.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as senior design interface with clients, regulators and key stakeholders.
- Build trusted relationships that support repeat business and framework delivery.
- Contribute to post-project reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
Leadership & Behaviours
- Visible, accountable leadership aligned with Tier 1 contractor standards.
- Strong commercial awareness and programme focus.
- Collaborative, solutions-driven and decisive.
- Committed to safety, compliance, innovation and sustainable delivery.
Head of Design in England employer: TH Recruit
Contact Detail:
TH Recruit Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Design in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend design events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Head of Design role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your best design projects and leadership experiences. We want to see how you’ve tackled complex challenges and delivered results, so make sure it’s visually appealing and easy to navigate.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We recommend practising answers to common questions, especially around design management and compliance. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel when discussing how you can lead their design function.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals who are passionate about design and ready to make an impact in the industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Design role. Highlight your leadership in design management and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving residential or mixed-use developments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific examples of how you've led design functions and managed compliance in previous positions.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your expertise in BIM-led workflows and design optimisation. We want to see how you’ve driven value engineering while maintaining quality and safety in your past projects.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you can explore other exciting opportunities we have available!
How to prepare for a job interview at TH Recruit
✨Know Your Design Management Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in design management processes, especially those relevant to residential and mixed-use projects. Brush up on the latest regulations, like the Building Safety Act, and be ready to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading design teams and managing multiple projects. Think about times when you’ve mentored others or driven value engineering while maintaining quality—these stories will resonate with interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Awareness
Be ready to talk about how you align design delivery with commercial strategies and procurement processes. Discuss any experiences where you’ve managed design risks or scope changes to protect programme margins—this shows you understand the bigger picture.
✨Engage with Stakeholders Effectively
Think of instances where you’ve built strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you’ve acted as a senior design interface and contributed to post-project reviews, as this will show your collaborative and solutions-driven approach.
