Equal Opportunities Statement
At United Infrastructure, we are committed to making every interaction a positive and inclusive experience. If there is anything we can do to support you, remove barriers, or make the process more accessible, please let us know – we want this to be the best possible experience for you.
Role Overview
The Principal Design Lead (PDL) will provide senior technical leadership across multiple schemes, bridging the gap between project-level design management and strategic technical oversight. The role is responsible for leading bid-stage technical input, managing escalated design and delivery issues across projects, and supporting the Head of Technical in driving consistency, compliance, and performance across the Technical Team.
Responsibilities
* Provide leadership across multiple projects, supporting Senior Design Managers and Design Managers to deliver coordinated, compliant, and buildable design solutions.
* Act as the escalation point for technical and design issues across all schemes, driving timely resolution and risk mitigation.
* Lead and coordinate technical input into bids, including design appraisals, programme development, consultant strategies, risk identification, and value engineering opportunities.
* Support the Head of Technical in ensuring consistency of design management practices, standards, and procedures across all projects.
* Provide oversight of design programmes across multiple schemes, ensuring alignment with overall business and project objectives.
* Where required, undertake full design management responsibility for a project, delivering in line with programme, budget, and compliance requirements.
* Mentor and develop Senior Design Managers and Design Managers, providing guidance, coaching, and technical support.
* Review and challenge design information to ensure compliance with legislation, company standards, planning approvals, and client requirements.
* Support the implementation and adherence to Technical Operating Procedures across all schemes.
* Coordinate with Commercial, Operations, and Bid teams to ensure design solutions are practical, cost-effective, and aligned with delivery strategies.
* Review project-specific design scoping and procurement strategies for consultants and subcontractor designers.
* Support the review and approval of consultant and subcontractor designer competency assessments.
* Monitor consultant and subcontractor design performance across projects.
* Ensure robust management of design change control processes across schemes.
* Support and oversee the timely submission of planning, building control, and statutory approvals.
* Promote best practice in design coordination, including fire safety, structural integrity, MEP integration, façade design, and maintenance strategies.
* Chair or support key design coordination meetings, workshops, and reviews on complex or high-risk schemes.
* Ensure effective communication of technical information across teams and departments.
* Carry out site visits as required to support project teams and resolve technical issues.
* Always comply with company policies, procedures, and health, safety, and environmental requirements.
Qualifications
* Proven experience operating at a senior design management level across multiple residential or mixed-use projects.
* Strong leadership capability, with experience managing and mentoring Design Managers.
* Ability to operate across strategic (multi-project oversight, bids) and project-level delivery.
* Extensive knowledge of design management processes across all project stages (bid, pre-construction, construction, handover).
* Strong technical understanding of building design, coordination, and regulatory compliance.
* Experience leading or contributing significantly to bid-stage technical submissions.
* Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate technical and design risks across multiple schemes.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
* Ability to prioritise and manage competing demands across multiple projects.
* Up-to-date knowledge of construction legislation, including the Building Safety Act, Building Regulations (Dutyholder roles), and HRB procedures.
* Commercial awareness, balancing design quality and cost-effectiveness.
* Experience coordinating and reviewing consultant performance and outputs.
* High-rise residential experience.
* Strong organisational and reporting capability.
* Proven track record of successfully managing all aspects of the design and technical process in residential buildings.
* Valid driving licence.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Knowledge of methodology and sequencing processes in delivering construction projects, including design and pre-construction activities.
Desirable Skills
* Experience supporting or deputising for Head of Technical / Technical Director roles.
* Proven involvement in complex or high-risk schemes (e.g., HRBs).
* Experience developing and improving technical processes or procedures.
* Strong procurement and contractual design knowledge.
* Knowledge of PAS 9980, EWS1, FRAEW, and fire safety compliance frameworks.
* Experience with BIM and digital design management systems.
* Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIOB, CIAT, RICS).
* Degree or equivalent qualification in Architecture, Engineering, or a construction-related discipline.
* Passion for construction and customer satisfaction, with a focus on high standards and excellence.
This Job Description is current as at the date shown herein. In consultation with you it is liable to variation by the Company to reflect actual, contemplated or proposed changes in or to your job.
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