Head of Design - Regional Construction Leadership

Location: Southampton / Hampshire / South Coast

Salary: Competitive Executive Salary + Car Allowance + Benefits

Employment Type: Permanent

The Opportunity

3D Personnel are recruiting on behalf of a leading Tier 1 main contractor seeking an experienced Head of Design to lead and develop their regional design management function.

This is a senior leadership appointment within an established construction business delivering complex, high-value projects across the defence, education, healthcare, commercial and public sectors.

The successful candidate will take overall responsibility for design management across the region, providing strategic direction, technical leadership and operational oversight from initial tender stages through to project completion.

Working closely with the regional leadership, pre-construction, commercial and operational teams, the Head of Design will play a key role in ensuring projects are technically robust, commercially viable and successfully delivered.

This opportunity would suit an established Head of Design, Regional Design Manager or highly experienced Senior Design Manager looking to progress into a strategic leadership position.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and overall management of the regional design function, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality design solutions across multiple projects.

• Lead, manage and develop a team of Design Managers and Senior Design Managers, including resource planning, performance management, mentoring and succession planning.

• Oversee design management across the complete project lifecycle, from bid and pre-construction stages through to construction, commissioning and handover.

• Establish and implement regional design strategies, procedures and best practices to improve quality, efficiency, technical compliance and project performance.

• Work alongside regional directors, pre-construction and commercial teams to support tender submissions, project feasibility, risk assessments and value engineering.

• Oversee the appointment, coordination and performance of external design consultants and specialist design subcontractors.

• Ensure design programmes, technical deliverables and information release schedules align with procurement, construction and commercial objectives.

• Provide senior technical leadership on complex design issues, regulatory requirements, buildability challenges and multidisciplinary coordination.

• Champion innovation, BIM, digital construction, sustainability and modern methods of construction across the regional business.

• Maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, supply chain partners and internal stakeholders, supporting the successful delivery of major construction projects.

Candidate Requirements

• Extensive design management experience within a Tier 1 or established UK main contractor.

• Proven experience operating as a Head of Design, Regional Design Manager, Design Lead or Senior Design Manager with significant leadership responsibility.

• Strong track record managing design across multiple major construction projects, ideally within the defence, education, healthcare, commercial or public sectors.

• Comprehensive understanding of design management throughout the RIBA stages, including single-stage and two-stage procurement and Design & Build contracts.

• Strong technical knowledge of construction methods, Building Regulations, CDM, design risk management and relevant statutory requirements.

• Demonstrable experience leading, developing and mentoring design management teams.

• Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to balance design quality, programme requirements, project risk and financial objectives.

• Relevant architectural, engineering or construction qualification, ideally supported by professional membership such as CIOB, RIBA or a comparable institution.

What's on Offer?

• Senior leadership appointment within a highly regarded Tier 1 main contractor.

• Opportunity to shape and develop the regional design management function.

• Strategic involvement in major construction projects and long-term regional business development.

• Competitive senior management remuneration and benefits package.

• Opportunity to influence technical standards, innovation and design strategy across the region.

• Established regional business with long-term career opportunities.

Apply

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced design management professional seeking a senior leadership position within a leading UK construction business.

For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact 3D Personnel or submit your latest CV.

All applications and enquiries will be handled in the strictest confidence.