Senior Design Lead

NSR Associates; Grays; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A Tier 1 UK Main Contractor is seeking a Project-Based Design Lead for a £100 million industrial warehouse project in Essex. The ideal candidate will have experience as a Design Manager or Senior Design Coordinator, delivering projects over £40 million. Responsibilities include leading design coordination, managing activities from bid stage to handover, and ensuring compliance with client requirements. Local candidates are preferred, but accommodation can be provided for those willing to work away. This role offers substantial career growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• UK-based Design Manager or Senior Design Coordinator with Main Contractor experience.
• Proven background delivering Industrial Warehouse projects (£40m+).
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate design activities from bid stage through to handover.
• Lead design and technical coordination across consultants and subcontractors.
• Ensure effective use of BIM and digital tools to identify clashes.

Skills

Design Management

Stakeholder Management

Communication

Tools

BIM

Digital Tools

Job description

A Tier 1 UK Main Contractor with an annual turnover in excess of £500m has secured a £100 million Design & Build industrial warehouse project in Essex and is now seeking a Project-Based Design Lead to join the site team.

This is a key role, working closely with the Senior Project Managers to lead the design, technical, and engineering aspects of the scheme, ensuring a high-quality facility is delivered on time and within budget.

The project is located approximately 5 minutes from Grays, Essex. Local candidates are preferred, however fully expensed weekday accommodation can be provided for the right individual willing to work away.

The Project & Business

• £100m Design & Build Industrial Warehouse
• Programme driven, with handover required by April 2027
• Repeat client award based on strong past performance
• Highly profitable main contractor with a large proportion of negotiated work
• Client-focused organisation taking a proactive, collaborative approach
• UK contractor with global reach and capability
• Long-term career prospects and progression opportunities

The business is known for playing the long game with clients — supporting projects from early PSA engagement through to delivery and handover.

The Role

As Project Design Lead, you will be responsible for driving the design process on site, ensuring coordination across disciplines and alignment with programme, cost, and quality objectives.

You will add value across the entire project lifecycle, from bid support through detailed design, construction, and final handover of an operational facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate design activities from bid stage through to handover
• Work closely with Senior Project Managers to support programme and cost certainty
• Lead design and technical coordination across consultants, subcontractors, and in-house teams
• Promote a collaborative, solutions-led approach with clients and the supply chain
• Ensure effective use of BIM and digital tools to identify clashes and manage design change
• Drive a proactive design management approach, anticipating issues rather than reacting to them
• Ensure design solutions meet client requirements, statutory compliance, and buildability standards

About You

• UK-based Design Manager or Senior Design Coordinator with Main Contractor experience
• Proven background delivering Industrial Warehouse projects (£40m+)
• Experience adding value across the full project lifecycle (bid, design, site delivery, handover)
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills
• Collaborative mindset with a focus on team success and client outcomes
• Ideally available to start in Q1 2026