Design Manager – Head of Architecture

Description

Design Manager: Head of Architecture

Location: Remote Hybrid/Flexible UK (travel to clients, project sites and office as required)

Salary: Up to 90,000 (DOE)

Sector: Defence / Government / Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

Security: Must be able to obtain UK SC clearance (DV desirable)

The Opportunity

We're looking for a Design Manager: Head of Architecture to lead and assure architectural design across a portfolio of secure and accredited infrastructure projects supporting Defence, Government and CNI clients. This is a senior leadership position, combining hands–on architectural oversight with team leadership, governance and strategic direction, driving design excellence and continuous improvement across the business.

Reporting to the Head of Operational Delivery (Professional Services), you'll be the principal architectural authority–setting standards, embedding best practice and ensuring all designs are compliant, secure, resilient, commercially sound and deliverable.

What you'll be doing

Lead the architectural function, setting design standards, governance, processes and best practiceProvide strategic and technical leadership across all architectural design activitiesManage the design process end–to–end (concept through handover) and assure quality, programme and costCoordinate and lead multidisciplinary design teams (architects, engineers, consultants, specialist subcontractors)Develop solutions that balance security, resilience, operational needs, budget and delivery constraintsLead client–facing design activity including workshops, consultations and presentationsSupport tenders, proposals and business development, providing technical leadershipEnsure compliance with relevant UK building regulations, planning, H&S and environmental obligationsMentor and develop the team, supporting recruitment, capability growth and professional standards/chartershipManage design risks, assumptions and dependencies across the project lifecycle

What we're looking for (Essential)

Significant experience in architectural design + design management within Defence, Government, CNI, secure environments, or similarly complex infrastructure sectorsProven leadership of multidisciplinary design teams and delivery of complex projectsStrong knowledge of secure facility design, resilience and operational infrastructureExperience delivering across all RIBA Plan of Work stagesStrong understanding of UK Building Regulations, planning processes and construction legislationExperience managing external consultants and design supply chainsLeadership and people management capability with excellent stakeholder communication skillsCommercial awareness–able to balance technical, operational and financial considerationsDegree in Architecture (or related built environment discipline)Chartered Architect (ARB/RIBA) or equivalentFull UK Driving LicenceAbility to obtain and maintain SC clearance (DV desirable)

Desirable

Delivery experience for MOD, Government Departments, Defence Primes, or CNI operatorsKnowledge of security accreditation processes and secure estate requirementsBIM / digital design / Common Data Environments exposureProject management qualification (PRINCE2 / APM or equivalent)Experience supporting bids/frameworks and business growth activity

Ad ID: 5418786792