Head of Design
CV-LibraryBristol, City of BristolpermanentPosted: 31 July 2026
Apply NowHead of Design
Location: Bristol
Sector: Commercial Fit-Out | Refurbishment | Retrofit | Luxury Workspace
An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Design to join a leading commercial fit-out and refurbishment contractor delivering high-quality, design-led workspace environments.
With construction underway on a major retrofit and refurbishment project in Bristol, this role offers the chance to lead the design function on a flagship scheme that will transform an existing building into premium office accommodation. The successful candidate will take ownership of the design process from pre-construction through delivery, ensuring the project vision is realised while maintaining programme, technical and commercial objectives.
The Role:
As Head of Design, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all design activities, managing the coordination of consultants, stakeholders and project teams to ensure a seamless design process and successful project delivery.
This is a pivotal leadership role requiring a combination of design management expertise, technical understanding and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams on complex refurbishment and retrofit projects.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead and manage the design process from concept development through to project completion.
* Coordinate and manage external consultants, architects, engineers and specialist designers.
* Ensure design information is delivered accurately and in line with programme requirements.
* Drive design coordination between architectural, structural and building services disciplines.
* Review design proposals to ensure buildability, technical compliance and value optimisation.
* Manage design risks, change control and technical queries throughout the project lifecycle.
* Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants and key stakeholders.
* Lead design workshops and coordination meetings to ensure project objectives are achieved.
* Ensure all design solutions comply with statutory requirements, planning conditions and industry standards.
* Support project teams in resolving technical challenges and maintaining programme milestones.
* Promote innovation and best practice, identifying opportunities to enhance quality, efficiency and project outcomes.
Requirements:
* Proven experience in a senior design leadership position within commercial fit-out, refurbishment or major construction projects.
* Strong understanding of design management processes and multidisciplinary coordination.
* Experience delivering complex, large-scale commercial developments from pre-construction through to completion.
* Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
* Strong technical knowledge with the ability to challenge and drive design solutions.
* Commercial awareness and an understanding of programme and project delivery objectives.
* Relevant qualification in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering or a related discipline.
* Professional memberships and industry accreditations would be advantageous.
What's on Offer:
* Opportunity to lead the design delivery of a landmark commercial workspace project in Bristol.
* Exposure to a complex, high-profile retrofit and refurbishment scheme.
* Long-term career prospects with a progressive and ambitious contractor.
* Competitive salary and benefits package.
* A collaborative environment that values innovation, technical excellence and design quality
Location: Bristol
Sector: Commercial Fit-Out | Refurbishment | Retrofit | Luxury Workspace
An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Design to join a leading commercial fit-out and refurbishment contractor delivering high-quality, design-led workspace environments.
With construction underway on a major retrofit and refurbishment project in Bristol, this role offers the chance to lead the design function on a flagship scheme that will transform an existing building into premium office accommodation. The successful candidate will take ownership of the design process from pre-construction through delivery, ensuring the project vision is realised while maintaining programme, technical and commercial objectives.
The Role:
As Head of Design, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all design activities, managing the coordination of consultants, stakeholders and project teams to ensure a seamless design process and successful project delivery.
This is a pivotal leadership role requiring a combination of design management expertise, technical understanding and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams on complex refurbishment and retrofit projects.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead and manage the design process from concept development through to project completion.
* Coordinate and manage external consultants, architects, engineers and specialist designers.
* Ensure design information is delivered accurately and in line with programme requirements.
* Drive design coordination between architectural, structural and building services disciplines.
* Review design proposals to ensure buildability, technical compliance and value optimisation.
* Manage design risks, change control and technical queries throughout the project lifecycle.
* Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants and key stakeholders.
* Lead design workshops and coordination meetings to ensure project objectives are achieved.
* Ensure all design solutions comply with statutory requirements, planning conditions and industry standards.
* Support project teams in resolving technical challenges and maintaining programme milestones.
* Promote innovation and best practice, identifying opportunities to enhance quality, efficiency and project outcomes.
Requirements:
* Proven experience in a senior design leadership position within commercial fit-out, refurbishment or major construction projects.
* Strong understanding of design management processes and multidisciplinary coordination.
* Experience delivering complex, large-scale commercial developments from pre-construction through to completion.
* Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
* Strong technical knowledge with the ability to challenge and drive design solutions.
* Commercial awareness and an understanding of programme and project delivery objectives.
* Relevant qualification in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering or a related discipline.
* Professional memberships and industry accreditations would be advantageous.
What's on Offer:
* Opportunity to lead the design delivery of a landmark commercial workspace project in Bristol.
* Exposure to a complex, high-profile retrofit and refurbishment scheme.
* Long-term career prospects with a progressive and ambitious contractor.
* Competitive salary and benefits package.
* A collaborative environment that values innovation, technical excellence and design quality