Head of Design

Walker & Sloan Ltd | Certified B Corp; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 68,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable regional contractor in Bristol is seeking an experienced Regional Design Manager to oversee design management across major projects. You will lead the design strategy across multiple high-value projects, ensuring buildability and compliance. This role offers a salary of up to £80,000, a company car, and significant opportunities for career growth in a collaborative environment. If you thrive in design-led environments and are ready for a senior role, this is an exceptional opportunity.

Benefits

Company car / allowance

Long-term progression

Collaborative culture

High employee engagement

Qualifications

• Experience as a Design Manager or Senior Design Manager.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Background in main contracting across various sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design process across projects.
• Manage design teams and consultants effectively.
• Ensure compliance with technical and design standards.
• Support bids and tenders with innovative design strategies.

Skills

Design management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Buildability compliance

Pre-construction experience

Job description

📢 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

• 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 : [e-mail]