Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage design teams on innovative infrastructure projects across the UK.
- Company: Join a rapidly expanding company focused on critical infrastructure solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership and design management experience in construction.
- Other info: Dynamic work culture with opportunities for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
United Infrastructure is a dynamic and rapidly expanding business, focused on delivering critical infrastructure projects across the utility and social infrastructure sectors. Our team of highly skilled and hardworking specialists deliver innovative solutions to the complex challenges our clients face.
Our company is split into two business areas:
- Utility Infrastructure – Our team of Utility Infrastructure specialists design, build and maintain critical water, energy (gas), power and telecoms infrastructure for the UK’s largest network owners and operators.
- Social Infrastructure - Our team of Social Infrastructure specialists revitalise homes and communities by carrying out a wide range of work, from retrofit to refurbishment, and maintenance.
Our Social Infrastructure pillar are currently looking to recruit a Complex Lead Design Manager to be based from one of our National Offices, ideally London based however we are open to candidates that are willing to travel. You will play a critical leadership role in overseeing the design and technical delivery of multiple projects. You will be responsible for leading and managing the Technical Team, driving operational excellence, and ensuring the successful execution of project designs and approvals, delivered on time and within budget.
In this role, you will provide expert guidance on all technical matters, ensuring regulatory compliance and aligning design processes with both client requirements and business objectives.
Specific Responsibilities
- Provide clear, visible leadership to the Technical Team, including Design Managers, Design Coordinators, and Document Controllers, across all project stages (bid, design, construction, and handover).
- Work closely with Operations and Commercial teams to resolve issues as they arise and ensure Design Managers are integrated into project teams.
- Lead by example, demonstrating a passion for excellence.
- Maintain a thorough, process-driven approach, delivering consistently high standards.
- Develop and maintain a high-performing team.
- Ensure tasks are completed efficiently, meeting agreed programme dates and milestones.
- Regularly monitor progress against agreed weekly and monthly programmes.
- Provide support, guidance, coaching, and direction to the Technical Team.
- Coordinate resource allocation and monitor workloads effectively.
- Track Technical Team resource costs against agreed budgets.
- Promote an inclusive, supportive team environment where open communication is encouraged, and individuals feel valued and appreciated.
- Actively recognise and celebrate successes, fostering a culture of positivity and motivation.
- Empower the team to take ownership and accountability for their work.
- Mitigate risks, uphold quality standards, safeguard profit margins, and maintain strong client relationships, positioning the organisation as the partner of choice.
- Build and nurture strong relationships with consultant and subcontractor designers.
- Monitor the performance of consultant and subcontractor designers.
- Contribute to new bid opportunities by conducting technical appraisals of design information, assessing compliance, consultant fees, and design programme requirements.
- Identify value engineering opportunities, risks, and prepare contractors' proposals.
- Support the production and management of design programmes.
- Ensure designs comply with company standards.
- Embed and ensure adherence to Technical Operating Procedures.
- Ensure company targets are met, maximising revenue through high-quality, cost-effective, and buildable design.
- Review and support project-specific design scoping and the procurement of consultant and subcontractor designers.
- Review and approve consultant and subcontractor designer recommendations and competency assessments.
- Ensure timely execution of consultant and subcontractor designer appointment documents and collateral warranties.
- Fulfil the Building Regulations Principal Designer role (Dutyholder).
- Ensure thorough reviews of design information are conducted on each project, ensuring compliance with legislation, system literature, planning consent, buildability, and risk elimination.
- Promote design that respects budget constraints.
- Organise and chair monthly Technical Team meetings.
- Provide updates and progress reports for issue to the Head of Technical.
- Ensure all aspects of the building design are fully coordinated, including fire safety, structures, M&E, façades, internal specifications, service strategies, and maintenance strategies.
- Ensure complete, accurate, and coordinated design packages are issued to Commercial and Construction teams.
- Uphold company values in all aspects of work.
- Monitor subcontractor and supplier design trackers to ensure approvals are gained according to agreed programmes.
- Ensure design package presentations are conducted with consultants and subcontractors in line with agreed programmes before formal package release.
- Monitor changes from Clients, design consultants, subcontractors, and the construction team, ensuring proper documentation and approval.
- Oversee the change control process for variations related to drawing revisions, construction programmes, and costs.
- Ensure all planning and building control applications are submitted and approvals gained in accordance with the agreed programme.
- Monitor the timely processing of design information through the document management system.
- Ensure current drawings are organised, and design information is exchanged as per company protocol.
- Conduct site visits as required.
- Always comply with company policies, procedures, and instructions.
- Ensure adherence to health, safety, and environmental policies in all aspects of work, supporting the company's drive for world-class health and safety standards.
Qualifications
- Thorough, with a proactive management style.
- Ability to lead and coordinate with Directors and Managers across the wider team.
- Skilled in prioritising and delegating tasks effectively; capable of negotiating, motivating, and influencing others to achieve required objectives.
- Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail.
- Proven leadership skills, including assertiveness, decisiveness, flexibility, good time management, and the ability to work well under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
- Effective people management skills, including goal setting, performance management, feedback, direction, support, and coaching.
- Experience in developing and upskilling teams.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Excellent communication skills at all levels of management and project teams, both internal and external.
- Proven track record in successfully managing all aspects of the design and technical process for residential buildings.
- Up-to-date knowledge of relevant construction industry legislation and procedures.
- Valid driving license.
- Knowledge of construction project methodology, including sequencing processes in design and pre-construction activities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience with high-rise developments.
- Understanding of the building safety legislative framework, including the Building Safety Act, Building Regulations (dutyholder roles, competency requirements), and HRB Procedure Regulations.
- Strong technical expertise to assess, challenge, and monitor design work for compliance.
- Commercially astute, with the ability to work within established budgets to ensure cost-effective team performance.
Join us at United Infrastructure today and be part of our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to the complex infrastructure needs of the UK.
Complex Lead Design Manager in London employer: United Infrastructure
Contact Detail:
United Infrastructure Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Complex Lead Design Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and recent developments in the infrastructure sector. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your leadership experience and how you can drive operational excellence in design management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining United Infrastructure and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Complex Lead Design Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Complex Lead Design Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in managing design teams and delivering projects on time and within budget, as this is what we’re looking for!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you lead and motivate teams! Share examples of how you've successfully guided a technical team through complex projects, ensuring high standards and compliance with regulations.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that gets straight to the point!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Infrastructure
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest construction industry legislation and procedures, especially those related to building safety. Being able to discuss the Building Safety Act and how it impacts design processes will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about compliance and safety.
✨Show Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about times when you’ve motivated your team or resolved conflicts. This role is all about providing clear leadership, so demonstrating your ability to inspire and guide others will be key.
✨Be a Problem Solver
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous projects and how you overcame them. Highlight your analytical mindset and attention to detail, as these are crucial for managing complex design processes.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You’ll need to communicate with various stakeholders, from your technical team to clients and subcontractors. Being able to convey complex ideas simply will set you apart, so consider mock interviews to refine your communication skills.
