I'm working alongside an ambitious residential contractor who is building out a specialist design department to support their growing pipeline of mid and high-rise projects throughout Central London. This is an uncommon chance to enter a position with genuine influence not simply managing schemes, but establishing how design management functions across the entire organisation.

About This Role

This position doesn't fit you into pre-existing frameworks. The business is experiencing significant growth and needs someone with the capability and conviction to establish best practice from scratch. You'll oversee active residential developments while concurrently building a new department recruiting talent, developing workflows, implementing standards, and cultivating strategic relationships throughout the company.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll lead design coordination on mid to high-rise residential developments, steering multidisciplinary consultant groups including architects, structural and services engineers, and specialist trades through every phase of delivery. In-depth knowledge of Gateway 2 processes, BSR compliance requirements, and Building Safety Act 2022 adherence is critical, alongside the capability to drive constructability assessments and actively mitigate design-related risks.

Beyond project execution, you'll be instrumental in team development influencing hiring strategies, establishing departmental procedures, and nurturing productive relationships with housing provider and development clients.

The Right Person Will Have

Main contractor experience at Senior Design Manager level is non-negotiable, with demonstrable success on residential projects. You should be thoroughly conversant with high-rise compliance frameworks and Gateway approval mechanisms. Strong leadership qualities and the ability to create structure where none exists are essential, and previous engagement with housing associations will strengthen your application. A degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or a related field is necessary.

What's Being Offered

Base compensation up to £95,000 depending on your background, plus company vehicle or cash alternative, performance incentive scheme, private medical insurance, pension provision.

If you've reached a career stage where independence, impact, and the opportunity to establish something substantial resonates with you, this merits serious consideration. The organisation has a robust workload, healthy forward pipeline, and authentic executive commitment to delivering this properly.

Please contact me for a confidential conversation.