Head of Technical – Construction/Housing – Salford – Up to £65,000 plus Car Allowance

Client
My client is a regional, housing developer with a reputable reputation in the region for delivering high quality homes in the northwest region.
They are looking for a Head of Technical to join their in-house Technical Department that manages the design process from the point of planning approval through to project completion

Role
The role of Head of Technical is to ensure the effective running of the Technical Department and ensure the project is compliant with all relevant specifications and statutory requirements. In addition you will be expected to provide technical support to the construction and development teams

Responsibilities:
1. Allocate developments amongst the Technical Team, assuming the management of some developments yourself.

2. Prepare and implement sufficient processes and procedures to ensure the effective running of the Department.

3. Undertake regular design progress meetings to ensure designs are progressing inline with the development timeline. Provide updates identifying risks and opportunities to Directors.

4. Ensure tight control of the development design budgets to minimise consultant variations and additional costs.

5. Undertake regular performance reviews of team members, providing clear opportunities for improvement and development.

6. Prepare technical scope of works for consultants in line with requirements outlined by the development team.

7. Issue briefs to design consultants and design sub-contractors and manage them to support in their preparation and issue of production information to the agreed programme, scope and fee.

8. Ensure that working drawings are in compliance with the approved planning consent, contract specifications, building regulations and any other relevant standard.

9. Monitor and control all production information in close liaison with the project QS, development team and construction department to ensure tight cost controls are maintained and information is produced in line with target costs.

10. Manage the distribution of preliminary, construction and as built information internally with the Document Controller (where applicable), address any feedback provided from other departments and produce a high quality, fully co-ordinated design package.

During Construction
1. Support the commercial team to produce trade specifications that comply with all relevant standards. Undertake review of trade specifications to ensure compliance with relevant standards.

2. Review any sub-contractor design to ensure compliance with the approved planning consent, building regulations, contract requirements and any other relevant standard.

3. Attend any specialist suppler and subcontract meetings as required.

4. Undertake regular visits to sites to ensure that materials being used are as per the prepared material specifications and that technical details are being constructed as per approved details.

5. Work with Construction Director and Contract Managers to ensure sufficient technical construction details are available to the site teams and where queries are raised work with Construction Director to resolve.

Candidate Requirements:
- Good operating knowledge of the development and technical design process
- Proven knowledge of detailed design for residential schemes utilising different forms of construction including light weight steel frame, traditional steel frame, timber frame and masonry
- Be able to question and query design information across all disciplines
- Architectural or engineering background with the ability to use AutoCad would be beneficial
- Solid understanding of statutory requirements, including Building Regulations and LABC warranty standards
- Educated to a degree level or in possession of a relevant professional qualification
- Well organised and capable of organising others
- High level of attention to detail