Head of Technical

Company Description

United Living is a leading infrastructure, construction, and property services company in the UK. We help our customers and the communities they serve benefit from resilient infrastructure, affordable homes, and improved living spaces that are fit for the future. Our mission is to be the partner and employer of choice for designing, building, maintaining, and connecting communities and critical infrastructure, to create a more sustainable and inclusive society.

United Living Group is comprised of four complementary businesses, all dedicated to realising our vision of creating a connected, sustainable future:

Property Services – We revitalise homes and communities through the regeneration of living spaces, breathing new life into neighbourhoods. From delivering large programmes of work for social housing providers, to ensuring the highest building safety standards, we provide a range of services for public sector clients.

Infrastructure Services – Our team of infrastructure specialists design, build and maintain critical energy and water infrastructure, for the UK’s largest network owners and operators. The work we do supports the requirement for effective solutions to address the UK’s decarbonisation goals, and our processes minimise environmental and carbon impacts, whilst ensuring the safe and reliable operation of assets.

New Homes - As experienced and specialist new build housing contractors, we create homes and regenerate areas with communities in mind. We work collaboratively with registered partners, local authorities, and private developers to provide high quality, energy efficient, and sustainable homes for people to live and grow.

Connected - We connect people through fixed-line and wireless telecom infrastructure, ensuring seamless communication and access to information for all. At United Living, we have one of the largest specialist in-house teams for project management, acquisition, design, construction, and maintenance in the UK.

Job Description

Purpose

The Head of Technical will play a critical leadership role in overseeing the design and technical delivery of multiple projects. You will be responsible for leading and managing the Technical Team, driving operational excellence, and ensuring the successful execution of project designs and approvals, delivered on time and within budget.

In this role, you will provide expert guidance on all technical matters, ensuring regulatory compliance and aligning design processes with both client requirements and business objectives.

Specific Responsibilities

Provide clear, visible leadership to the Technical Team, including Design Managers, Design Coordinators, and Document Controllers, across all project stages (bid, design, construction, and handover). Work closely with Operations and Commercial teams to resolve issues as they arise and ensure Design Managers are integrated into project teams.
Lead by example, demonstrating a passion for excellence.
Maintain a thorough, process-driven approach, delivering consistently high standards.
Develop and maintain a high-performing team.
Ensure tasks are completed efficiently, meeting agreed programme dates and milestones.
Regularly monitor progress against agreed weekly and monthly programmes.
Provide support, guidance, coaching, and direction to the Technical Team.
Coordinate resource allocation and monitor workloads effectively.
Track Technical Team resource costs against agreed budgets.
Promote an inclusive, supportive team environment where open communication is encouraged, and individuals feel valued and appreciated.
Actively recognize and celebrate successes, fostering a culture of positivity and motivation.
Empower the team to take ownership and accountability for their work.
Mitigate risks, uphold quality standards, safeguard profit margins, and maintain strong client relationships, positioning the organization as the partner of choice.
Build and nurture strong relationships with consultant and subcontractor designers.
Monitor the performance of consultant and subcontractor designers.
Contribute to new bid opportunities by conducting technical appraisals of design information, assessing compliance, consultant fees, and design programme requirements. Identify value engineering opportunities, risks, and prepare contractors' proposals.
Support the production and management of design programmes.
Ensure designs comply with company standards.
Embed and ensure adherence to Technical Operating Procedures.
Ensure company targets are met, maximizing revenue through high-quality, cost-effective, and buildable design.
Review and support project-specific design scoping and the procurement of consultant and subcontractor designers.
Review and approve consultant and subcontractor designer recommendations and competency assessments.
Ensure timely execution of consultant and subcontractor designer appointment documents and collateral warranties.
Fulfill the CDM Principal Designer role.
Fulfill the Building Regulations Principal Designer role.
Ensure thorough reviews of design information are conducted on each project, ensuring compliance with legislation, system literature, planning consent, buildability, and risk elimination.
Promote design that respects budget constraints.
Organise and chair monthly Technical Team meetings.
Provide updates and progress reports at Divisional and Senior Leadership Team meetings.
Ensure all aspects of the building design are fully coordinated, including fire safety, structures, M&E, façades, internal specifications, service strategies, and maintenance strategies.
Ensure complete, accurate, and coordinated design packages are issued to Commercial and Construction teams.
Uphold company values in all aspects of work.
Monitor subcontractor and supplier design trackers to ensure approvals are gained according to agreed programmes.
Ensure design package presentations are conducted with consultants and subcontractors in line with agreed programmes before formal package release.
Monitor changes from Clients, design consultants, subcontractors, and the construction team, ensuring proper documentation and approval.
Oversee the change control process for variations related to drawing revisions, construction programmes, and costs.
Ensure all planning and building control applications are submitted and approvals gained in accordance with the agreed programme.
Monitor the timely processing of design information through the document management system.
Ensure current drawings are organised, and design information is exchanged as per company protocol.
Conduct site visits as required.
Always comply with company policies, procedures, and instructions.
Ensure adherence to health, safety, and environmental policies in all aspects of work, supporting the company's drive for world-class health and safety standards.What we need from you

Thrive within United Living’s values and culture of relentlessly striving to excellence through;

Doing the right thing
Raising the bar
Positive attitude and energetic pace
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Integrity
Ability to make things happen – starter/finisher
Tact and the ability to deal with difficult situations
Proactive
Ability to challenge the norm and look for alternative solutions (positive deviance)
Ability to work under pressure and multitask
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Passionate to achieve exceptional standards for business and personal gainCriteria

Essential

Thorough, with a proactive management style.
Ability to lead and coordinate with Directors and Managers across the wider team.
Skilled in prioritising and delegating tasks effectively; capable of negotiating, motivating, and influencing others to achieve required objectives.
Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail.
Proven leadership skills, including assertiveness, decisiveness, flexibility, good time management, and the ability to work well under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
Effective people management skills, including goal setting, performance management, feedback, direction, support, and coaching.
Experience in developing and upskilling teams.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Excellent communication skills at all levels of management and project teams, both internal and external.
Proven track record in successfully managing all aspects of the design and technical process for residential buildings.
Up-to-date knowledge of relevant construction industry legislation and procedures.
Valid driving license.
Knowledge of construction project methodology, including sequencing processes in design and pre-construction activities.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience with high-rise developments.
Understanding of the building safety legislative framework, including the Building Safety Act, Building Regulations (dutyholder roles, competency requirements), and HRB Procedure Regulations.
Strong technical expertise to assess, challenge, and monitor design work for compliance.
Commercially astute, with the ability to work within established budgets to ensure cost-effective team performance.Desirable

Passionate about construction and customer satisfaction, with a focus on high standards and excellence.
Proven track record of leadership in a senior position, successfully managing multiple projects.
Demonstrated experience in producing and monitoring project programmes.
Strong understanding of design requirements for procurement and construction purposes.
In-depth knowledge of contractual requirements.
Tenacious, driven, and goal-oriented.
Strong practical knowledge of various construction methods, work types, and design solutions.
Experience in producing and managing design programmes.
Familiarity with PAS 9980 fire risk assessments, EWS1 forms, and FRAEW.
Knowledge and experience with temporary works.
Proficiency in CAD software (AutoCAD or Revit).
Knowledge and understanding of BIM (Building Information Modelling).
Membership in a relevant professional body (e.g., CIOB, CIAT, RICS).
Minimum Level 4 qualification (HNC/NVQ4) in Architecture or an equivalent design, technical, or construction-based qualification