Head of Design

Overview

We’re looking for a highly experienced and inspiring Head of Design to lead and elevate the Design Management function across our WPS business. This pivotal role carries full accountability for ensuring all design activity — including Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), retrofit, and planned maintenance programmes — meets the highest levels of technical excellence, safety, and regulatory compliance.

You'll drive continuous improvement, champion innovation, and strengthen business resilience while leading a talented team of Design Managers and Temporary Works specialists.

If you thrive in a fast-paced technical environment and enjoy shaping best practice across a region-wide portfolio, we want to hear from you!

• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of Design Managers, ensuring clear standards, robust processes, and ongoing professional development.
• Oversee business-wide design governance, including compliance with the Building Safety Act, CDM 2015 and Golden Thread requirements.
• Approve key design deliverables, providing technical assurance, design risk management and buildability checks.
• Support project delivery teams through gateway reviews, resolving technical issues, and ensuring successful tender-to-handover outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement, digital design practices, competency frameworks, and in-house technical training.
• Act as the senior escalation point for all design-related matters, working collaboratively with clients, consultants and supply chain partners.

• Chartered Civil/Structural Engineer (15+ years' Tier 1 contractor experience).
• Strong track record delivering HRBs, remediation, retrofit, and planned maintenance projects.
• Deep knowledge of building safety regulations, design risk management, and digital design tools.
• A collaborative, influential leadership style with the ability to drive standards and performance.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of Design Management across a major region within WPS. You'll lead high-impact programmes, work with exceptional people, and play a critical role in ensuring safe, compliant, and innovative delivery across our built environment.

If you're ready to take the next step and play a key role in shaping design leadership across the WPS business, apply now by submitting your CV and a brief summary of your experience.