Design Director

At OCU Group, we deliver complex, large-scale energy and utilities projects that keep the UK connected, powered, and moving forward. As our business continues to grow, we are seeking a reputable Design Director to lead, evolve, and inspire our internal design capability at a national level within large scale energy and utility projects.

This is a rare unique opportunity to take ownership of a critical function within a high-performing construction and engineering organisation setting direction, driving operational excellence, and ensuring our design teams consistently deliver for some of the UK’s most demanding energy clients. Shape the future of energy infrastructure design!

About the role

As the Design Director, you will hold overall responsibility for the daily operation, coordination, and performance of OCU’s energy and utilities design function. You will lead senior managers, influence at board level, and ensure the design team is fully aligned with OCU’s strategic goals and client expectations.

This is both a strategic and hands-on leadership role, ideal for someone who thrives on building strong teams, refining processes, and delivering results at scale.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Set the strategic direction for the energy and utilities design function
• Lead the operational management of the design team, ensuring efficiency, quality, and consistency
• Develop and embed robust processes that support high-performing design delivery

Resource Planning & Team Leadership

• Own resource planning and allocation across all projects, working closely with Senior Design Managers and Engineering Managers
• Ensure teams are well-supported, effectively onboarded, and set up for success
• Support the growth and integration of our India-based design team, aligning global capability with UK standards and project goals
• Promote accountability, performance management, and professional development at every level

Operational Excellence

• Champion best practice in design management, assurance, and delivery
• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives across the design function
• Drive consistency and high standards across complex, multi-disciplinary projects

Strategic Alignment & Stakeholder Leadership

• Work in close partnership with the Technical Director and senior leadership team
• Act as a senior escalation point for operational and resourcing challenges
• Ensure design output consistently meets client expectations and business objectives

Leading Leaders

• Directly support and mentor Senior Design Managers and Engineering Managers
• Build a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on excellence and accountability
• Ensure leadership alignment across teams and projects

About you

• Proven experience in a senior design leadership role within the energy/power and utilities construction sector
• Strong background in delivering projects for DNOs, TNOs, and ICPs
• Demonstrable experience delivering to National Grid specifications
• Excellent leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills
• Strong capability in resource planning, operational management, and process improvement
• In-depth understanding of industry standards and best practice

Desirable

• Experience implementing design assurance and quality frameworks for major energy infrastructure

If you are a senior design leader looking for a role in 2026 where you can truly influence, lead at scale, and drive excellence across the energy and utilities sector, we’d love to hear from you.

At OCU, our values guide everything we do: integrity, collaboration, respect, innovation and one company united. They shape how we work with our clients, communities, and each other. We believe that inclusion is more than a principle — it’s the foundation of our success. By embracing equity and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive, we create a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, and everyone feels they belong.

Together, we build stronger teams, deliver better outcomes, and grow in ways that reflect the communities we serve. If you want to be part of a culture where values matter and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do apply now and help us shape the future together.

If you are invited to progress in the recruitment process, will you require any reasonable adjustments to support you? Please let us know so we can ensure the process is accessible and fair for you. Any information you share will be treated confidentially and will only be used to support you during the recruitment process.