Principal Design Lead - Manchester
The Principal Design Lead (PDL) provides senior technical leadership across multiple projects, bridging strategic technical oversight and project-level design management. Supporting the Head of Technical, the role is responsible for driving design excellence, managing technical risk, leading bid-stage input, and ensuring consistency, compliance, and performance across all schemes.
The PDL will mentor and support Design Managers and Senior Design Managers, while retaining hands-on responsibility for key or complex projects as required.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership across multiple residential and mixed-use developments, ensuring coordinated, compliant, and buildable design solutions.
- Lead technical input into bids, including design appraisals, consultant strategies, programme development, risk management, and value engineering.
- Act as the escalation point for complex design and technical issues, driving timely resolution and mitigating project risk.
- Oversee design programmes, ensuring alignment with project objectives, budgets, and delivery strategies.
- Support the Head of Technical in implementing consistent design management processes, standards, and procedures.
- Mentor and develop Design Managers and Senior Design Managers through coaching, guidance, and technical support.
- Review and challenge design information to ensure compliance with legislation, planning approvals, client requirements, and company standards.
- Coordinate with Commercial, Operations, and Bid teams to deliver practical, cost-effective design solutions.
- Oversee consultant and subcontractor design performance, including scoping, procurement, competency reviews, and change management.
- Support the timely delivery of statutory approvals, building control submissions, and planning requirements.
- Promote best practice in fire safety, structural design, MEP integration, façade design, and building safety compliance.
- Chair and facilitate design workshops, coordination meetings, and technical reviews on complex or high-risk schemes.
- Conduct site visits to support delivery teams and resolve technical challenges.
- Ensure compliance with company policies and health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.
Essential Criteria
- Extensive experience in senior design management across residential, mixed-use, and high-rise developments.
- Proven leadership and mentoring experience within technical or design teams.
- Strong understanding of design management throughout bid, pre-construction, construction, and handover stages.
- Excellent technical knowledge of construction, design coordination, and regulatory compliance.
- Experience leading bid-stage technical submissions and managing technical risk across multiple projects.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance quality, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.
- Up-to-date knowledge of the Building Safety Act, Building Regulations, Dutyholder responsibilities, and Higher-Risk Building (HRB) procedures.
- Experience managing consultant performance, design programmes, procurement activities, and designer scoping.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and reporting skills.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and support successful project delivery.
- Knowledge of construction methodologies, sequencing, temporary works, and pre-construction activities.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience supporting or deputising for a Head of Technical or Technical Director.
- Proven involvement in complex, high-risk, or Higher-Risk Building (HRB) projects.
- Experience improving technical processes, procedures, and governance frameworks.
- Knowledge of PAS 9980, EWS1, FRAEW, and fire safety compliance requirements.
- Experience with BIM and digital design management systems.
- Membership of a professional institution such as CIOB, CIAT, or RICS.
- Degree (or equivalent) in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
- Strong understanding of contractual design obligations, utility applications, and statutory agreements.
- Passion for delivering high-quality, customer-focused construction projects.
About United Infrastructure
Join United Infrastructure and play a key role in delivering innovative, sustainable, and high-quality infrastructure and construction solutions that support communities across the UK.
Principle Design Lead in London employer: United Infrastructure Ltd
United Infrastructure is an excellent employer, offering a competitive salary and benefits package alongside ample career progression opportunities within a supportive and collaborative work environment. As a Major Works Supervisor, you will play a vital role in delivering impactful projects that enhance homes and communities, while benefiting from ongoing training and professional development to further your career in the dynamic infrastructure sector.
