Director - Design Management (Healthcare)

About the role

The Director of Design Management will lead the design of healthcare assets across the portfolio, overseeing the full project lifecycle from briefing to as‑built documentation. This senior role ensures design quality, regulatory compliance, safety, and value for money while supporting operational effectiveness.

Key responsibilities

• Manage design delivery for healthcare and education assets throughout all project phases.
• Provide authoritative oversight of Lead Design Consultants and conduct technical reviews against briefs, operator requirements, and organisational objectives.
• Ensure designs meet regulatory standards, Safety in Design principles, and are buildable and safe to construct.
• Develop and align internal and external stakeholder programmes to meet milestone dates.
• Assess contractor‑initiated design changes for viability, coordination, and compliance.
• Define design consultant scopes and contribute to contractor scopes where design responsibilities apply.
• Identify value‑engineering opportunities to keep design within budget while maintaining performance and quality.
• Lead the design approval process, securing endorsements from all required stakeholders.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate design‑related risks across compliance, coordination, program, quality, and buildability.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in design management for large‑scale healthcare facilities.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary consultant teams and manage complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong knowledge of healthcare regulatory standards and Safety in Design requirements.
• Demonstrated expertise in programme management, budgeting, and risk mitigation.
• Excellent governance and documentation skills to ensure transparent approval pathways.

Required skills