CADagency is delighted to be working with an established design and build specialist that creates innovative modular structures for the events, exhibitions, hospitality and experiential sectors. Our client provides design, manufacturing and installation services for temporary and permanent structures, delivering projects across the UK and internationally. With design and fabrication operations in London and Shrewsbury, they are looking to appoint an experienced Head of Design to lead their technical and fabrication functions, strengthen their commercial capabilities and support continued business growth.
As Head of Design, you will be responsible for overseeing our client’s design and fabrication operations, managing the Design Manager and Fabrication Manager and ensuring both departments work effectively together. This is a senior leadership position combining technical understanding, commercial management, client relationships and strategic development. Rather than being directly responsible for producing designs, you will lead the teams delivering them, ensuring projects are technically achievable, commercially viable and delivered to the required standards.
You will take responsibility for developing new client opportunities following initial introductions from the founders. This will involve meeting clients, understanding their requirements, establishing budgets and developing project briefs that can be translated into practical design and fabrication solutions. You will oversee the preparation of concepts, proposals and presentations, working closely with the design, fabrication and project delivery teams.
Commercial responsibility will be an important part of the position. You will assess project opportunities in terms of costs, resources, timescales and profitability, ensuring that proposed solutions are achievable within the agreed budget. You will maintain client relationships throughout the development process, identify opportunities for additional work and ensure projects are handed over effectively to the delivery teams.
Internally, you will provide leadership and direction to the Design Manager and Fabrication Manager, supporting their development and ensuring the two departments operate efficiently. You will oversee the design-to-fabrication process, maintain technical standards and identify improvements to working practices, project documentation and production efficiency.
You will also contribute to the wider development of the business, working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team on strategy, reporting, resource planning and future growth. This will include developing relationships with specialist consultants and subcontractors, exploring new materials and construction methods and identifying opportunities to improve technical capabilities, innovation and sustainability.
Our client is looking for an experienced leader with a strong understanding of how creative design concepts translate into practical manufacturing and construction. You will need to be comfortable managing experienced technical teams, communicating with clients and directors and making commercial decisions.
Key skills and experience required:
- Significant experience within exhibitions, events, experiential design, set building, modular structures or a related design and build sector.
- Previous experience leading design, technical or fabrication teams, ideally with management responsibility for other team leaders.
- Strong understanding of fabrication, manufacturing processes, construction methods and technical design.
- Commercial experience managing project budgets, costs, resources and profitability.
- Experience developing client relationships, preparing proposals and presenting technical and commercial solutions.
- Ability to interpret complex or incomplete project briefs and develop practical, commercially viable solutions.
- Experience improving internal processes, technical standards and operational efficiency.
- Confidence working with senior management and directors, contributing to business strategy and reporting.
- Strong communication, organisational and leadership skills, with the ability to challenge decisions constructively and develop effective teams.
This position would suit an established Head of Design, Technical Director, Design Director or senior design and production professional looking to take responsibility for a broader technical and commercial function. Experience within the exhibition or events industry would be particularly advantageous.