Design & Technical Director

Overview of the Business

Our client are a growing real estate group with a vision to redefine the experiential living and create communities with a profound sense of belonging through innovative, sustainable and reliable real estate platform.

Job Description

The purpose of the role is to take responsibility for innovation, knowledge and design management across the group projects to aid in the successful delivery of our complex development projects through defined milestones, from inception through to completion. The Innovation, Knowledge & Design Director will assist the Managing Director in managing the innovation, knowledge & design Development functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead innovation, knowledge management and design strategy across complex development projects.
• Build and manage relationships with key suppliers, fabricators and global manufacturers.
• Champion industrialised construction methods and drive carbon‑neutral, high‑quality, efficient component development.
• Develop outline briefs into final development briefs with Sales & Marketing.
• Finalise product control documents and support concept testing and operating process development.
• Select, brief and appoint design consultants; lead design coordination meetings and workshops.
• Oversee architectural design and construction integration, ensuring feasibility, sustainability and regulatory compliance.
• Lead the technical team, approve technical plans and specifications, and manage technical budgets.
• Set and implement technical strategies aligned to project goals, ensuring quality and design integrity.
• Provide technical guidance, mentor junior designers and foster a collaborative, innovative culture.
• Coordinate with PMs, engineers, contractors and stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution.
• Establish and manage the project design programme, estimates and authority approvals.
• Chair design meetings, issue minutes and drive timely follow‑up actions.
• Select, negotiate and manage consultants to deliver design outcomes aligned with business plans.
• Manage stakeholder consultation, gather feedback and align expectations.
• Ensure brand and product design alignment; update marketing on material design changes.
• Uphold and promote the organisation’s safety culture, leading audits, inspections and H&S file preparation.

Essential Experience

• Proven track record delivering complex residential-led mixed use developments
• Expert knowledge in Revit, BIM, Autodesk Build use
• Qualified architect

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Bonus scheme
• Health care
• Pension

Inclusive Hiring Statement

Don’t meet every requirement? Harken Search is committed to inclusive and diverse recruitment. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every point, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right person for this or future opportunities.

Why Us

We champion inclusive and diverse recruitment, and we donate 10% of all invoices to our partner charities. We thank our candidates and clients for helping us support causes that make a meaningful difference.

We welcome feedback on our processes.