At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage multidisciplinary design teams for innovative building services projects.
- Company: Established design and build contractor expanding across the Midlands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to shape a new design team.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to mentor and develop engineering talent.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on low-carbon projects and drive energy efficiency initiatives.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in building services design and proven leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
An established design and build contractor is expanding its presence across the Midlands and is looking to appoint a senior design leader to support the continued growth of its building services and low-carbon project portfolio. Operating across a range of commercial and public-sector environments, the business delivers multidisciplinary projects focused on energy efficiency, refurbishment, and modernisation works. Schemes typically involve mechanical and electrical upgrades, renewable technologies, heating system replacements, plantroom improvements, and wider building services enhancements.
Due to sustained project demand and long-term growth plans, the company is now looking to strengthen its regional leadership team with the appointment of an experienced Head of Design.
The Opportunity
This is a critical leadership appointment and a genuine opportunity to shape and build a regional design team from the ground up. Reporting into the Design Director / Associate Director, the Head of Design will lead multidisciplinary building services design activity across the Birmingham region, supporting the delivery of complex decarbonisation and energy projects from concept through to installation. The successful candidate will bring strong technical building services expertise alongside proven experience leading, mentoring, and growing high-performing engineering teams. This role is suited to someone already operating at Head of Design level or an equivalent senior leadership role, who can quickly establish themselves, drive standards, and build capability across the function.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage multidisciplinary MEP/building services design teams across regional projects
- Oversee the technical delivery of decarbonisation and low-carbon retrofit schemes
- Support projects through the full lifecycle from concept design through installation and delivery
- Build and grow the Birmingham design function, including recruitment and team development
- Mentor and support engineers across graduate, junior, senior, and principal levels
- Work collaboratively with operations, commercial, and delivery teams to ensure successful project outcomes
- Maintain high technical and quality standards across all design output
- Support client engagement activities, presentations, and stakeholder meetings
- Contribute to strategic planning and regional growth initiatives
- Help establish processes, standards, and best practices within the regional design team
Candidate Requirements
- Significant experience within building services / MEP design environments
- Strong technical knowledge across mechanical and electrical building services
- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering/design teams
- Background within a contractor or design-and-build environment
- Strong understanding of design through to installation and delivery
- Excellent communication and client-facing presentation skills
- Ability to mentor, develop, and grow engineering teams
- Collaborative, hands-on leadership approach
- Existing network of mechanical/electrical engineers or industry contacts
- Experience scaling or establishing regional design functions
- Exposure to healthcare, education, or public-sector projects
- Chartered status or working towards chartership
Sounds interesting? Apply directly for a confidential chat.
Head of Design in Birmingham employer: X4 Life Sciences
As a leading design and build contractor in the Midlands, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to excel. With a strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, we offer exceptional growth opportunities for our team members, including mentorship and professional development tailored to individual career paths. Join us to be part of a dynamic environment where your expertise will directly contribute to impactful projects that shape the future of building services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Design in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the building services and design sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your best projects and achievements in MEP/building services design. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, use this as a visual aid to demonstrate your skills and experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and their approach to decarbonisation and energy efficiency. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly understands their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got a range of exciting opportunities, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on new roles that match your skills and aspirations.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Design role. Highlight your leadership experience in multidisciplinary teams and any relevant projects you've managed, especially in decarbonisation and energy efficiency.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your vision for building a design team and how your background in building services can contribute to our growth in the Midlands.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:Don’t shy away from detailing your technical knowledge in mechanical and electrical building services. We want to see how you’ve applied this expertise in past roles, particularly in leading successful projects from concept through to installation.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you into the conversation about this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at X4 Life Sciences
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to building services and MEP design. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving decarbonisation and energy efficiency. This will show that you not only understand the theory but also have practical experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Design, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built and developed engineering teams in the past. Highlight your collaborative approach and how you've driven standards in previous roles.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves client engagement and presentations, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Think about how you can effectively communicate complex design concepts to non-technical stakeholders, as this will be crucial for project success.
✨Align with Company Values
Research the company’s mission and values, especially their focus on low-carbon projects and energy efficiency. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their growth initiatives in the Birmingham region.
