Principle Design Lead
15 hours ago
Birmingham
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. JBRP1_UKTJ