Design Lead

Design Lead – Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences & Healthcare
Location: Rochdale | Sector: Design & Build Consultancy

Are you a confident Design Lead with experience in cleanroom, laboratory, or technical construction environments? We’re recruiting for a well-established design and build consultancy delivering complex, high-spec projects in regulated sectors.

Role:
You will take ownership of the full design lifecycle, managing multidisciplinary teams and coordinating all design stages from early development to construction-ready documentation. You’ll liaise with clients, regulators, and internal teams to ensure projects are compliant, on schedule, and meet goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead design from appointment to project completion
• Coordinate internal staff and external consultants
• Develop/manage Design Execution Plans and BIM Execution Plans
• Chair client and regulatory design meetings
• Ensure compliance with CDM, ISO 9001, and health & safety standards
• Oversee accurate, high-quality design documentation
• Monitor programmes, deliverables, and budgets
• Manage client changes and advise on cost/schedule impacts
• Support estimating during early design phases
• Mentor junior design staff

Requirements:

• HNC minimum in Building Studies (degree preferred)
• 10+ years in senior design roles
• Strong technical knowledge of architectural, M&E, and public health disciplines
• Experience in pharmaceutical, cleanroom, or healthcare facility design
• Confident in client management and project delivery in regulated environments
• Knowledge of construction methods, legislation, ISO 9001, and CDM
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; Revit desirable

Why Join?
Lead challenging, high-profile projects in a respected consultancy. Long-term career development and professional growth opportunities available.