Complex Lead Design Manager

Complex Lead Design Manager – United Living Group (now United Infrastructure)

Our Social Infrastructure pillar is recruiting a Complex Lead Design Manager to be based in one of our National Offices, ideally London based but open to candidates willing to travel. In this role you will play a critical leadership position overseeing the design and technical delivery of multiple projects, leading and managing the Technical Team, driving operational excellence, and ensuring successful execution of project designs and approvals within time and budget.

• Provide clear, visible leadership to the Technical Team, including Design Managers, Design Coordinators, and Document Controllers, across all project stages (bid, design, construction, and handover). Work closely with Operations and Commercial teams to resolve issues as they arise and ensure Design Managers are integrated into project teams.
• Lead by example, demonstrating a passion for excellence.
• Maintain a thorough, process‑driven approach, delivering consistently high standards.
• Develop and maintain a high‑performing team.
• Ensure tasks are completed efficiently, meeting agreed programme dates and milestones.
• Regularly monitor progress against agreed weekly and monthly programmes.
• Provide support, guidance, coaching, and direction to the Technical Team.
• Coordinate resource allocation and monitor workloads effectively.
• Track Technical Team resource costs against agreed budgets.
• Promote an inclusive, supportive team environment where open communication is encouraged, and individuals feel valued and appreciated.
• Actively recognize and celebrate successes, fostering a culture of positivity and motivation.
• Empower the team to take ownership and accountability for their work.
• Mitigate risks, uphold quality standards, safeguard profit margins, and maintain strong client relationships, positioning the organization as the partner of choice.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with consultant and subcontractor designers.
• Monitor the performance of consultant and subcontractor designers.
• Contribute to new bid opportunities by conducting technical appraisals of design information, assessing compliance, consultant fees, and design programme requirements. Identify value engineering opportunities, risks, and prepare contractors' proposals.
• Support the production and management of design programmes.
• Ensure designs comply with company standards.
• Embed and ensure adherence to Technical Operating Procedures.
• Ensure company targets are met, maximizing revenue through high‑quality, cost‑effective, and buildable design.
• Review and support project‑specific design scoping and the procurement of consultant and subcontractor designers.
• Review and approve consultant and subcontractor designer recommendations and competency assessments.
• Ensure timely execution of consultant and subcontractor designer appointment documents and collateral warranties.
• Fulfill the Building Regulations Principal Designer role (Dutyholder).
• Ensure thorough reviews of design information are conducted on each project, ensuring compliance with legislation, system literature, planning consent, buildability, and risk elimination.
• Promote design that respects budget constraints.
• Organise and chair monthly Technical Team meetings.
• Provide updates and progress reports for issues to the Head of Technical.
• Ensure all aspects of the building design are fully coordinated, including fire safety, structures, M&E, façades, internal specifications, service strategies, and maintenance strategies.
• Ensure complete, accurate, and coordinated design packages are issued to Commercial and Construction teams.
• Uphold company values in all aspects of work.
• Monitor subcontractor and supplier design trackers to ensure approvals are gained according to agreed programmes.
• Ensure design package presentations are conducted with consultants and subcontractors in line with agreed programmes before formal package release.
• Monitor changes from Clients, design consultants, subcontractors, and the construction team, ensuring proper documentation and approval.
• Oversee the change control process for variations related to drawing revisions, construction…