Associate Director (Design Lead)

Be First; London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Be First is seeking an Associate Director (Design Lead) to enhance their Consultancy team by leading design management, ensuring quality and sustainability through public/private partnerships. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills and expertise in UK construction practices, aimed at delivering projects efficiently and effectively.

Benefits

Competitive salary

30 days Annual Leave

Hybrid working and flexible arrangements

Continuous learning opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in leadership and management, especially within design.
• Demonstrable relevant design expertise.
• Understanding of RIBA scheme of works, UK construction best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead design management and technical assurance for projects.
• Ensure quality and sustainability in design.
• Collaborate with teams and stakeholders for effective design processes.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Communication

Commercial acumen

Problem Solving

Tools

BIM

CDM and Building Safety Act regulations

Job description

Perks
• Competitive salary
• 30 days Annual Leave.
• Hybrid working and flexible working arrangements.
• Continuous learning and development opportunities with regular cross departmental working

We are looking for an Associate Director (Design Lead) to support our growing Consultancy team. The individual will:
• Lead all Design Team work areas, including design management and technical assurance, site feasibility studies, masterplans and design commentary on planning applications.
• Ensure quality and sustainability ambitions through public/private partnership delivery;
• Lead on design coordination, using technical expertise to support, guide and advise colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Lead on design management processes and align technical reviews to project programmes and internal QA measures;
• Reducing financial risk during all design stages, including ensuring design changes are captured and assist in project costing and value management;
• Undertake regular business development activities and collaborate on pitches for new business, ultimately winning new and/ or repeat work;
• Manage and report on Design Team Finance and Resourcing to meet financial targets.
• Collaborate with Be First teams, public and private partners, external stakeholders, consultants, politicians and contractors to take decisions, providing a single point of contact for relevant design clarifications, technical reviews and recommendations.

Person Specification

We are looking for an individual with the following skills:
• Engaging and driven personality wanting to join a highly successful and ambitious team.
• Results-orientated and devises strategies that are simple and effective;
• Ability to cut through the noise and get to the nub of an issue with commercial acumen, to ensure problems are resolved, competing objectives balanced, and projects delivered efficiently;
• Confident and professional, with excellent communication skills that adapt to different audiences;
• Proactive self-starter who takes the initiative and can prioritise and show great dexterity adapting to changing requirements;
• Strong ability to get the best out of people with the ability to inspire and motivate internal and external design teams;
• Demonstrable experience of:

- Leadership and management;
- Public and private sector working (Joint Ventures);
- Relevant design expertise;
- Ensuring quality through public-public and public-private partnership delivery;

• Understands:

- RIBA scheme of works design process and the outputs required
- BIM
- CDM and Building Safety Act regulations
- UK construction best practice
- Relevant policy, legislation and guidance
- Supply chain opportunities and limitations including cost and viability