Head of Design

Head of Design

Location: Bristol
Sector: Commercial Fit-Out | Refurbishment | Retrofit | Luxury Workspace

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Design to join a leading commercial fit-out and refurbishment contractor delivering high-quality, design-led workspace environments.

With construction underway on a major retrofit and refurbishment project in Bristol, this role offers the chance to lead the design function on a flagship scheme that will transform an existing building into premium office accommodation. The successful candidate will take ownership of the design process from pre-construction through delivery, ensuring the project vision is realised while maintaining programme, technical and commercial objectives.

The Role:

As Head of Design, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all design activities, managing the coordination of consultants, stakeholders and project teams to ensure a seamless design process and successful project delivery.

This is a pivotal leadership role requiring a combination of design management expertise, technical understanding and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams on complex refurbishment and retrofit projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the design process from concept development through to project completion.
• Coordinate and manage external consultants, architects, engineers and specialist designers.
• Ensure design information is delivered accurately and in line with programme requirements.
• Drive design coordination between architectural, structural and building services disciplines.
• Review design proposals to ensure buildability, technical compliance and value optimisation.
• Manage design risks, change control and technical queries throughout the project lifecycle.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants and key stakeholders.
• Lead design workshops and coordination meetings to ensure project objectives are achieved.
• Ensure all design solutions comply with statutory requirements, planning conditions and industry standards.
• Support project teams in resolving technical challenges and maintaining programme milestones.
• Promote innovation and best practice, identifying opportunities to enhance quality, efficiency and project outcomes.

Requirements:

• Proven experience in a senior design leadership position within commercial fit-out, refurbishment or major construction projects.
• Strong understanding of design management processes and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Experience delivering complex, large-scale commercial developments from pre-construction through to completion.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong technical knowledge with the ability to challenge and drive design solutions.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of programme and project delivery objectives.
• Relevant qualification in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Professional memberships and industry accreditations would be advantageous.

What's on Offer:

• Opportunity to lead the design delivery of a landmark commercial workspace project in Bristol.
• Exposure to a complex, high-profile retrofit and refurbishment scheme.
• Long-term career prospects with a progressive and ambitious contractor.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A collaborative environment that values innovation, technical excellence and design quality.