Head of Design

tdm recruitment; Leeds; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing residential developer in Leeds is seeking an experienced Head of Design Management to lead a high-performing design team. The successful candidate will oversee design strategy, ensuring quality and compliance across projects. Responsibilities include mentoring staff, managing stakeholders, and contributing to decision-making processes. Candidates should have proven experience in design management within residential or mixed-use sectors, along with strong leadership and communication skills. This is a full-time role at mid-senior level.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior design management role within residential or mixed-use development.
• Strong track record of managing and leading teams within a design or technical environment.
• Deep understanding of the planning system and experience supporting planning gain strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary Design Management team.
• Define and implement design management strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee consultant appointments and performance management.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Design management

Communication skills

Collaborative skills

Job description

This range is provided by tdm recruitment. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Direct message the job poster from tdm recruitment

Head of Design Management

We are seeking an experienced Head of Design Management to lead and shape the design function within a growing residential developer based in Leeds. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for building, managing, and inspiring a high-performing design management team, while ensuring design excellence across the full development lifecycle.

Working closely with Land, Planning, Development, Construction, and Commercial teams, you will play a pivotal role in delivering compliant, commercially robust, and high-quality care environments that support long-term operational success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-disciplinary Design Management team, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Set clear objectives, development plans, and performance standards for team members.
• Build succession planning, capability, and capacity within the design function to support business growth.
• Act as a senior leader within the organisation, promoting best practice, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Define and implement the design management strategy aligned with business and operational objectives.
• Establish clear design standards, processes, and governance frameworks across all projects.
• Oversee consultant appointments, performance, and fee management.
• Ensure consistency of design quality, compliance, and brand identity across the portfolio.

Project & Stakeholder Management

• Provide senior oversight across multiple projects from site acquisition and planning through to delivery and handover.
• Work closely with Planning and Land teams to support planning gain opportunities and optimise site potential.
• Act as a key internal and external stakeholder interface, including local authorities, design consultants, operators, and construction teams.
• Identify and manage design risk, ensuring issues are resolved proactively and collaboratively.
• Ensure designs are deliverable, cost-effective, and aligned with programme requirements.
• Support value engineering exercises without compromising quality, compliance, or operational needs.
• Contribute to development appraisals and strategic decision-making at senior level.

About You

• Proven experience in a senior design management leadership role, ideally within residential or mixed-use development.
• Strong track record of managing, developing, and leading teams within a design or technical environment.
• Deep understanding of the planning system and experience supporting planning gain or land-led development strategies.
• Commercially astute with excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Collaborative, people-focused leader who can balance strategic oversight with hands‑on support.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Design, General Business, and Health Care Provider

Industries

Architecture and Planning, Real Estate, and Construction