Associate Director (Design Lead)
Associate Director (Design Lead)
Job Summary
We are seeking to appoint an Associate Director (Design Lead) to head up our fast-paced Design Consultancy team.
The Design Team is an in-house, fee-earning consultancy service covering a full range of design professional services from visioning through to construction.
This service is rare, if not unique, in local government, and this role presents an opportunity for an experienced and customer focused professional to make a difference in a forward-looking and commercially minded organisation.
Perks
• Competitive salary
• 30 days Annual Leave.
• Hybrid working and flexible working arrangements.
• Continuous learning and development opportunities with regular cross departmental working.
At Be First, we are committed to being a diverse organisation that is truly representative. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in the property sector (e.g. gender, racialised; disabled; LGBTQIA+, under-served communities).
Job Salary
£78,000 - £84,000 + benefits, pension and 30 days annual leave entitlement.
Closing Date
July 7, 2025
Job Description
We are looking for an Associate Director (Design Lead) to support our growing Consultancy team. The individual will:
• Lead all Design Team work areas, including design management and technical assurance, site feasibility studies, masterplans and design commentary on planning applications.
• Ensure quality and sustainability ambitions through public/private partnership delivery;
• Lead on design coordination, using technical expertise to support, guide and advise colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Lead on design management processes and align technical reviews to project programmes and internal QA measures;
• Reducing financial risk during all design stages, including ensuring design changes are captured and assist in project costing and value management;
• Undertake regular business development activities and collaborate on pitches for new business, ultimately winning new and/ or repeat work;
• Manage and report on Design Team Finance and Resourcing to meet financial targets.
• Collaborate with Be First teams, public and private partners, external stakeholders, consultants, politicians and contractors to take decisions, providing a single point of contact for relevant design clarifications, technical reviews and recommendations.
Person Specification
We are looking for an individual with the following skills:
• Engaging and driven personality wanting to join a highly successful and ambitious team.
• Results-orientated and devises strategies that are simple and effective;
• Ability to cut through the noise and get to the nub of an issue with commercial acumen, to ensure problems are resolved, competing objectives balanced, and projects delivered efficiently;
• Confident and professional, with excellent communication skills that adapt to different audiences;
• Proactive self-starter who takes the initiative and can prioritise and show great dexterity adapting to changing requirements;
• Strong ability to get the best out of people with the ability to inspire and motivate internal and external design teams;
• Demonstrable experience of:
o Leadership and management;
o Public and private sector working (Joint Ventures);
o Relevant design expertise;
o Ensuring quality through public-public and public-private partnership delivery;
• Understands:
o RIBA scheme of works design process and the outputs required
o BIM
o CDM and Building Safety Act regulations
o UK construction best practice
o Relevant policy, legislation and guidance
o Supply chain opportunities and limitations including cost and viability
Apply for this position
In order to apply, please submit the following:
• Covering letter outlining your motivation for applying and highlighting how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role. (2 pages max)
• CV and,
• Portfolio of selected relevant projects.