Head of Design

Vistry Partnerships – Our Story:

Delivering homes and revitalising communities is at the heart of what we do. Working with local authorities, housing associations and investors, we create lasting partnerships and deliver vibrant, sustainable places to live.

As a leading regeneration specialist, we have offices throughout England and a strong national footprint. With over 100 sites currently in production, we are recognised as an innovative and collaborative industry leader, focused on creating as many new homes of all tenures as possible.

In a Nutshell:

As our Head of Design, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a practical, thorough, pro–active and efficient approach to design development and management of the BU projects and the Design Department. Managing a design department from the inception of a project through to its completion. Reporting to the Regional Director, they will be tasked with the control and coordination of the complete design process involving the management of design consultants, external parties and stakeholders, liaison with the relevant statutory, approval and local authorities, including Clients and Client's representatives across the BU Projects. Managing the Design department, mentoring, supporting & project allocation will be a key role. Applicants will need to prove an enhanced level of technical and construction knowledge, including a good working interpretation of Design Standards, the Building Regulations, Planning Guidance and the funding criteria relevant to the Affordable Housing sector.

Candidates will possess the commercial awareness to inform and develop design proposals to maximise design efficiency and profitability within identified approval constraints. The role provides the Manager with inclusive responsibility for the technical department, located primarily within the company's regional office, but with a requirement to attend site on as and when necessary. Monitoring our Project Design departments performance, ensuring the designs timely production, efficient cost effective solutions, compliance to specification & current regulations is a key Management function. The Technical Manager will work collaboratively to ensure the design team deliver considered and buildable design solutions, within agreed programme constraints to our site project teams, with assistance from a selected and monitored consultant supply chain.

What we would like from you:

Key Responsibilities –

Pre–Contract Technical input; design feasibility/review, value engineering, planning surveys, energy strategy, sustainability, construction techniques and other elements as required.
Client EOI/ITT/PQQ and Tender Submission support to the pre–construction and estimating teams.
Commission the Pre–Construction Stage Planning and Feasibility Reports; Arboriculture, Archaeological, Acoustic, Ecology, Fire Risk Assessment, Flood Risk Assessment, Traffic & Transport, Soil Investigation, Soakage Tests.
Production, Management, and Review of the Design and Pre–Construction Programmes.
Produce the Schedule of Service Document(s) for Designer/Consultant Appointments, Liaise with QS over Appointment & Warranty Completion.
Chair and Organise regular Design Team Meetings (DTM), M&E Client Design Meetings, collate and distribute minutes.
Efficiently Value Engineer Design Proposals in Conjunction with other members of the Project Team.
Ensure Design and Contractual Standards; Employers Requirements, HQI Information, Addendum Specifications are adhered to during the Design Stages and issue relevant information to the Project Team.
Manage the Production and Review of Design Information and Details during the Pre–Contract and Construction Phase in line with build programmes/client programmes.
Comply with and all current Vistry BMS procedures
Coordinate information from Consultants, Subcontractors and Site team via collaborative web based documentation file sharing web site (4 Projects).
Close control of progress and resolution of any problems, which may arise during the drawing / development stage and construction stage to ensure deadlines are achieved.
Liaising closely with the Vistry project team.
Assist the Bid team as and when required on design information and planning.
Eliminating or evaluation of contract variations, which have not been included within Subcontractor's original scope of work.
Ensure contracts meet with specific requirements of clients and comply with specifications and good practice.
Regular site visits to ensure all contractors are installing to supplier's recommendations, good practice and drawings.
Manage and collate information Planning, Building Control, BREEAM, CODE Building for life, HQI, NHBC and SBD information / requirements.
Managing all Section Agreements until discard.
Provide monthly design reports complete with trackers.
Maintain safe methods of working to provide a high level of health and safety standards always.Competencies –

Professional Qualifications & Development (Degree, HND/HNC, CPD)
Management of a Design Team operating on multiple projects across M/T & OMS Housing and multi–storey retirement apartments.
Relevant Design & Construction experience within a Contracting/Development organization
Ability to manage a team of design co–ordinators, monitor performance & compliance.
An organised and prioritised working discipline dealing and managing tasks effectively and sequentially
A sound technical understanding of relevant industry guidance, coupled with an aptitude to learn, obtain and retain information as required within the role.
Experience of working within the Construction Industry, specifically Extra Care accommodation, private spec housing, timber frame and social/affordable housing.
To lead, guide & mentor the Design Department staff.
The ability to work thoroughly and efficiently within a collaborative team environment.
Commitment to delivering information in line with agreed programmes, often in a pressured environmentDesirable –

Hold a relevant CSCS card
Site based Construction Experience preceding and Design orientated roles
Monitor staff workload
Communicate regularly & efficiently
Support staff technically via regular updates and review Training accordinglyThe Good Stuff:

Vistry Partnerships is a fast paced and exciting place to work. We offer our employees multiple opportunities to learn, develop and nurture successful careers with us.

Some of our key benefits include???

Competitive salary and package
28 days holiday plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days
Private Healthcare
Sharesave scheme
Company car, car allowance or travel allowance (role and geographic dependant)
Support with a professional membership

Vistry Group brings together the energy and talents of Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Vistry Partnerships (formerly Galliford Try Partnerships).

With developments from Northumberland to Cornwall and Cheshire to Norfolk, Vistry Group will be delivering around 12,000 homes a year across the country, this makes us one of the top five housebuilders in the UK.

We are a real powerhouse of a business with a focus on delivering for our people, our customers, our clients, our contractors and our shareholders.

Inclusion and diversity are paramount to us within Vistry Group – we firmly believe that this culture nurtures stronger performances across the wider business. All of our applicants and employees are treated fairly and respectfully, regardless of any protected characteristic/s. If you require assistance with regards to reasonable adjustments during your application process with us, then please do not hesitate to contact us – we will always be happy to help