Head of Design

Regional Design Manager – Leading Regional Contractor | Bristol 💼 Salary: Up to £80,000 + Full Package 📍 Location: Bristol (Regional South West Coverage) 🏗️ Sector: Main Contracting | Design & Build | Commercial | Public Sector 🕵️‍♂️ For my client – a well-respected, forward-thinking regional contractor with an exceptional reputation for quality, innovation, and delivery. Are you an experienced Design Manager ready to step into a senior regional role? Do you thrive in design-led environments where collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence drive project success? My client - one of the South West’s most prominent and well-respected regional contractors - is looking to appoint a Regional Design Manager to lead design management across a diverse pipeline of major projects. This is a rare opportunity to join a business that genuinely invests in its people and delivers schemes that shape communities. 🔧 The Role As Regional Design Manager, you’ll oversee the design strategy and coordination across multiple projects, typically ranging between £10m – £50m+. You’ll work closely with pre-construction, operations, commercial teams, and external consultants to ensure smooth, efficient, and innovative design delivery. Your responsibilities will include: * 🧩 Leading the design process across several live and pre-construction projects * 🗂️ Managing and coordinating design teams, consultants, and specialist suppliers * ✏️ Ensuring buildability, technical compliance, and design excellence * 🤝 Supporting bids and tenders with design strategy and innovation * 🏗️ Driving collaboration between design and site delivery * 📑 Managing information flow, approvals, and design risk * 🎯 Ensuring designs meet client vision, cost plans, sustainability goals, and programme milestones This role comes with regional responsibility, strategic influence, and a genuine seat at the table. ✅ Ideal Candidate Profile To thrive here, you’ll likely be: * An experienced Design Manager or Senior Design Manager ready for regional leadership * Strong across pre-construction, design coordination, and stakeholder management * Experienced in main contracting across sectors such as commercial, education, healthcare, industrial, or mixed-use * Able to balance design vision with buildability, cost, and programme * A confident communicator who builds strong relationships with clients and internal teams * Based in or commutable to Bristol / South West 💰 What’s on Offer * 💷 Salary up to £80,000 (DOE) * 🚗 Company car / allowance * 📈 Long-term progression within a respected contractor * 🤝 Collaborative culture with low turnover and high employee engagement * 🧠 Opportunity to shape design strategy across major regional projects * 🏗️ Exposure to flagship schemes with strong pipeline security This is a career-defining role within a business where people stay, grow, and lead. 📩 Interested? If you’re ready to take the next step as a Regional Design Manager and want to join a contractor with ambition, stability, and a reputation for excellence - I’d love to hear from you. Send your CV to: Charlie Walker