Job Description
Head of Design (Living)
Reporting to: Regional Director / Pre-Construction Director
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
Design Strategy & Governance
* 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.
People & Resource Leadership
* 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.
If you would like to review the official job spec, or to apply, please send your CV to natalie@threcruit.co.uk or contact Natalie Oakley on 07812 993513 for a confidential conversation.
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