Design Lead

Winthrop Technologies Ltd.; Blyth; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Winthrop Technologies Ltd. is seeking an experienced Design Lead to join our Blyth-based project team in the United Kingdom.

The role will manage design across civil, structural, architectural, and MEP disciplines, ensuring coordinated and compliant outputs aligned with programme requirements. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a proven track record in leading complex design processes on large-scale construction projects, with strong leadership and technical capabilities.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' experience managing design delivery for large-scale projects such as data centres, offices, commercial, education, healthcare, or industrial.
• Data centre project experience is highly desirable.
• Degree in a relevant engineering or construction discipline.
• Strong understanding of design management principles and cross-discipline coordination.
• Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement with the client’s design team for project-wide design and services coordination.
• Manage in-house design team and external consultants to ensure timely progression.
• Plan and lead design and engineering workshops to resolve issues before site activities.
• Oversee the Technical Submittal and IFC processes, ensuring timely reviews and approvals.

Skills

Design leadership

Design management

Stakeholder management

Coordination

Leadership

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Team mentoring

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Winthrop Technologies is Europe’s only dedicated data centre delivery partner, offering full turnkey solutions from design through to construction and commissioning. Headquartered in Dublin, we deliver projects across Europe and have become the most trusted name in our sector.

We are currently seeking an experienced Design Lead to join our project team in Blyth, United Kingdom. This role will be responsible for leading and managing the design process across Civil, Structural, Architectural, and MEP disciplines, ensuring designs are coordinated, compliant, and delivered in line with programme and project requirements. This position requires strong leadership and technical capability, with a proven record of managing complex design processes on large-scale construction projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead engagement with the client’s design team for project-wide design and services coordination.
• Manage Winthrop’s in-house design team and external consultants to ensure timely design progression in line with construction schedules.
• Plan and lead design and engineering workshops, resolving design issues ahead of site activities.
• Oversee the Technical Submittal (TS) process, ensuring adherence to project specifications and timely submission for review and approval.
• Provide Technical Leadership for the team.
• Manage the design query and RFI process, maintaining accurate documentation and coordinating through weekly design meetings.
• Oversee Issued for Construction (IFC) releases and updates, ensuring all project teams are working to the latest approved designs and managing any required change control.
• Lead weekly Design and Engineering coordination meetings with internal and external stakeholders to monitor progress and resolve critical issues.
• Maintain a design risk register, communicating key risks to senior management and the client.
• Manage Safety in Design including management of Design Risk and Change control process
• Manage the design and submittal process for FFE packages within administrative areas, ensuring timely delivery.
• Prepare and deliver weekly design progress reports to the client, highlighting risks and mitigation measures.
• Coordinate contractor construction drawings and models, ensuring they are reviewed, approved, and issued in line with project timelines.
• Oversee as-built drawing and model submissions, ensuring compliance with project handover requirements.
• Ensure all O&M manuals and documentation are submitted and uploaded to the approved client platforms.
• Manage and coordinate LEED design requirements, liaising with the client’s design team and LEED consultants to ensure compliance and timely reporting.
• Ensure project quality plans and QA/QC procedures are implemented and adhered to on site.
• Liaise with Temporary Works Designers (TWD) and the client’s PSDA management team on temporary works, traffic management, and design risk assessments.
• Coordinate with OFCI vendors appointed by the client, ensuring delivery aligns with project specifications and schedules, including technical submittals and discrepancy resolution.
• Ensure Regulatory and local code compliance.

Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years’ experience managing the design delivery of large-scale construction projects (e.g., data centres, office fitouts, commercial, education, healthcare, or industrial).
• Data Centre project experience is highly desirable.
• Degree qualification in a relevant engineering or construction discipline.
• Strong understanding of design management principles, construction sequencing, and coordination between disciplines.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and deliver under tight deadlines.
• Opportunity to work for a market leader in the Data centre industry
• Working on large scale data centre projects
• Collaborative team working environments
• Career progression and development supported
• Competitive salary packages

Winthrop Technologies Ltd. is an equal opportunities employer