At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor technical teams, ensuring high-quality residential project delivery.
- Company: Established housebuilder known for quality design and strong land pipeline.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to shape innovative residential developments.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence design and engineering standards.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in residential development while leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in technical leadership with strong engineering or architectural background.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
An established, privately owned housebuilder with an exceptional track record for quality and thoughtful design is seeking an experienced Head of Technical.
Backed by a strong land pipeline, the business strategically focuses operations across prime development corridors along the M1 and M40, alongside an active, successful cluster of sites throughout the East Midlands. This targeted geographic approach allows the technical, commercial and construction teams to work in close alignment, ensuring efficient project delivery, reduced travel and dedicated focus across high-quality residential schemes.
Reporting to the Managing Director, you will take full ownership of the technical and engineering function, steering pre-development due diligence, design coordination and on-site technical delivery across both private and affordable developments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor and develop the in-house engineering and architectural teams, fostering an environment of technical rigour and commercial awareness.
- Appoint, brief and manage external design consultants, ensuring detailed planning drawings, technical packages and working drawings are delivered to programme and budget.
- Drive early-stage land viability assessments, geotechnical investigations and site infrastructure strategies to support strategic acquisitions across the target patch.
- Oversee all statutory approvals, including Section 38, 104 and 278 agreements, planning condition discharges, Building Regulations and warranty provider sign-offs.
- Collaborate closely with Commercial and Construction teams to champion value engineering, practical buildability and forward-looking environmental standards, including the Future Homes Standard.
- Maintain an active presence across live sites, collaborating directly with site managers to resolve engineering and design queries promptly.
- Champion technical excellence and consistent design benchmarks across both the central network and East Midlands schemes.
Candidate Profile
- Proven experience leading a technical department or operating as an established Senior Technical Manager ready for the next step within residential development.
- Strong engineering or architectural background with a comprehensive understanding of residential groundworks, infrastructure agreements and structural design.
- Astute commercial focus with the ability to optimise layouts and details without compromising architectural integrity.
- Thorough, up-to-date knowledge of current Building Regulations, NHBC/warranty standards and upcoming regulatory requirements.
- Pragmatic, collaborative leadership style with strong negotiation skills when dealing with local authorities, water boards and highway agencies.
- Full UK driving licence with the enthusiasm to visit and support live developments across the core operating region.
Head of Technical employer: Thomas Gray
Join a leading civil engineering consultancy near Stansted, where your expertise will be valued and your career can flourish. With a strong focus on mentorship and professional development, you'll have the opportunity to lead impactful projects while collaborating with a supportive team in a dynamic work environment. Enjoy a culture that prioritises innovation and client satisfaction, making it an excellent place for ambitious engineers to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Technical
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Thomas Gray, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Head of Technical at Thomas Gray.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Technical
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thomas Gray
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
