Requirements
The ideal candidate will have 14+ years of relevant experience in design planning, design management, design operations, or a related built-environment discipline, with at least 6 years in managerial leadership roles. A Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Design Management, or a related discipline is required, and a Master's degree or relevant professional certification is preferred. Proficiency in technical and interpersonal skills including design planning, programme governance, cross-disciplinary design integration, consultant and procurement management, data/digital/AI-enabled workflow optimisation, stakeholder management, strategic planning, problem solving, Microsoft Office Suite, project and portfolio management platforms, CDE, and collaboration platforms is essential.
Description
Job PurposeLead the Group Design Planning & Services function as the integrated backbone of the Group Design Studio, connecting master planning, infrastructure planning and engineering, public realm, architecture, interior design, design management and design innovation. Establish governance, programme, data and performance frameworks that enable coordinated design delivery, design excellence, efficiency and scalability across a multi-project portfolio.Key ResponsibilitiesDesign Governance and IntegrationEstablish end-to-end design frameworks integrating all disciplines, with common standards, interfaces, decision pathways and accountabilities.Establish unified design governance, procedures and quality frameworks across disciplines.Act as central integrator across design teams, resolving interface risks and ensuring coherent end-to-end design outcomes.Programme, Resources and ConsultantsLead design programme planning, resource orchestration and milestone governance across all design disciplines.Proactively manage interdependencies across planning, infrastructure, buildings and interiors, optimising resource deployment across concurrent developments.Develop and manage the integrated design procurement strategy, coordinating consultant scopes, interfaces, performance expectations and commercial compliance.Maintain consistency of design intent and accountability across the consultant ecosystem.Data, Digital and AIOwn the Studio's integrated data and systems architecture, providing visibility of progress, dependencies, resources, risks and decisions.Embed AI-enabled tools, including large language models and agents, to improve scenario planning, tracking, risk detection, reporting and cross-discipline coordination.Performance and Studio OperationsDeliver portfolio insights to the Group Chief Design Officer and Governance Committees on progress, quality, dependencies, resources and delivery risk.Lead Studio operational support, setting team objectives, developing capability and ensuring scalable, agile and responsive delivery across multiple concurrent developments.KEY MEASURES OF SUCCESSCritical design milestones delivered in line with approved portfolio programmes.Identified cross-disciplinary interface risks resolved within agreed timeframes.Compliance with Group design governance and quality standards.Experience Requirements14+ years of relevant experience in design planning, design management, design operations or a related built-environment discipline.6+ years in managerial leadership roles.Technical And Interpersonal SkillsDesign planning and programme governanceCross-disciplinary design integrationConsultant and procurement managementData, digital and AI-enabled workflow optimisationStakeholder managementStrategic planning and problem solvingMicrosoft Office, PowerPoint and ExcelProject and portfolio management platformsDesign, common data environment (CDE) and collaboration platformsAnalytics, AI and large language model tools; workflow automation toolsQualificationsBachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Design Management or a related discipline (required)Master's degree (preferred)Relevant professional certification or membership (preferred)We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.