Design & Planning Manager

Job Title: Design & Planning Manager
Location: North Midlands Region
Salary: £55,000 - £70,000
Package: Car allowance £5,200 or company car, 5% Bonus

Our client, a leading house builder in the North Midlands region, is seeking an experienced Design & Planning Manager. This role is pivotal in delivering high-quality designs and securing commercially viable planning permissions. You will lead, develop, and motivate a team of Design and Planning Executives, coordinating activities between sites, internal departments, and external stakeholders to support planning applications and design packages for the region.

• Carry out training as Principal Designer, identifying foreseeable risks in designs and mitigating them in line with company policy.

• Ensure compliance with CDM/EMS processes throughout the design and site lifecycle.

• Maintain awareness of environmental, ecological, and noise constraints, implementing mitigation strategies to align with the Regional Programme.

• Support the design team in implementing CDM/EMS processes, ensuring all team members complete required H&S training.

• Lead internal and external meetings to prepare planning submissions.

• Oversee preparation of working drawings for residential and non-residential projects, coordinating with external consultants.

• Manage house type portfolios, elevation treatments, and design criteria with a commercial focus.

• Host community engagement consultations to support planning applications.

• Negotiate commercially viable contributions with authorities and manage planning conditions to align with project timelines.

• Evaluate development opportunities and provide design support throughout the planning and building regulation process.

• Build and maintain a network of external stakeholders to support statutory approvals.

• Support the team in preparing for key meetings as required by the Operational Framework.

• Ensure comprehensive, coordinated working drawing packages are prepared for tender and construction.

• Review tender queries, value engineering proposals, and manage fees budget effectively.

• Ensure structural assessments are conducted by approved consultants and liaise with statutory authorities to achieve project objectives.

• Implement quality management processes to meet business expectations.

• Provide design support during site development, managing design cost excesses and resolving site queries.

• Ensure compliance with building regulations, NHBC conditions, and CDM/EMS site procedures.

• Coordinate with stakeholders to prevent conflicts during construction and support the team in managing development-related design issues.

• Maintain external networks with key industry stakeholders to influence decisions and outcomes.

Our client is committed to supporting your growth and development. Alongside a competitive salary and benefits package, you will enjoy:

• Excellent retail discounts, company-funded life insurance, and private healthcare.

• Access to a quality pension scheme with company contributions.

• Discounted house purchase schemes, car leasing options, and share plans.

• Opportunities to tailor your benefits, including additional annual leave and family coverage.

• Industry-leading training and development programs to support your career growth.

• Degree-level qualification in a relevant field or equivalent experience in the technical/architectural sector within housebuilding.

• Proven experience in the housebuilding industry with the ability to manage designs for multiple planning applications.

• Strong leadership skills with the capability to develop and manage a high-performing team.

Our client is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. They welcome applications from individuals with disabilities and long-term health conditions, ensuring that barriers to employment are removed. Applicants who meet the minimum role requirements and disclose a disability will be guaranteed an interview.

If you're ready to do meaningful work and build a lasting career, join our client in shaping the future of housebuilding in the North Midlands region.