Head of Design

Company: tdm recruitment
Apply for the Head of Design
Location: Leeds
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

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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

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Posted: April 11th, 2026