Job summary
The New Hospital Programme is more than building hospitals, it's a once in a generation opportunity to shape the future of healthcare in England. We're delivering over 40 new hospitals that will be modern, sustainable and built around the needs of patients and staff.
We're looking for people who care about purpose, who thrive in complex environments and who want to help deliver change at scale for future generations.
Main duties of the job
The New Hospital Programme is transforming how healthcare infrastructure is delivered across England. We have an exciting opportunity for a Director - Design Delivery to join the programme.
You'll define and drive the design delivery strategy, ensuring Hospital 2.0 products and technical priorities are integrated into schemes with consistency, quality and innovation. You'll own the assurance process from design through to construction, resolving risks, maintaining technical standards and leading best practice collaboration across teams.You will be responsible for:
- Oversee the integration of MEP, digital tools and smart technologies in line with programme goals.
- Monitor construction progress to ensure compliance with approved designs.
- Identify and resolve technical challenges during construction phases.
- Lead quality assurance testing for performance, safety, and functionality
- Bring design teams together to drive excellence through shared learning and open communication across technical and non-technical teams.
About us
The NHS England board have set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all, which will inform the detailed design work and we will achieve this purpose by:
Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities.
Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential.
Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values, and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
Delivering value for money.
If you would like to know more or require further information, please visithttps://www.england.nhs.uk/.
Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.
Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.
If you are successful at interview, we will run an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) in the Electronic Staff Record system (ESR). This transfer gathers valuable information from a previous or current NHS employer to support the onboarding process, including; statutory and mandatory competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You will have the opportunity throughout the recruitment process to inform us if you do not consent.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.
Please note that the grade for this post is ESM 1.
For more information on the NHP programme
Closing date: 31July 2025
Interview dates: TBC
Due to ongoing organisational change and developments, aspects of this role may be subject to change.
By applying for this position, you acknowledge and understand that NHS England is currently undergoing a consultation process to finalise its structure, which may impact this role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.
Please note that the grade for this post is ESM 1.
For more information on the NHP programme
Closing date: 31July 2025
Interview dates: TBC
Due to ongoing organisational change and developments, aspects of this role may be subject to change.
By applying for this position, you acknowledge and understand that NHS England is currently undergoing a consultation process to finalise its structure, which may impact this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A bachelor's degree or master's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or a related field is typically required
Desirable
- Membership in professional organisations or associations related to architecture, or healthcare facility design would be beneficial. For example, membership in the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) or the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
- Professional accreditation or registration with a relevant architectural body
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrates extensive experience in the design and construction of facilities (ideally healthcare), with a strong focus on spatial design, and in-depth knowledge of relevant healthcare design standards, guidelines, and best practices, including the application of spatial design principles
- Knowledge of modular construction processes and the ability to ensure that design specifications align with constructability requirements
- Experience in reviewing and aligning design solutions with transformational briefs and standards
- Familiarity with testing and piloting designs to drive best practice and identify areas for improvement
- Expertise in governance and decision-making
- Extensive experience with stakeholder engagement and management
Desirable
- Knowledge of whole-life design principles, sustainability, low carbon initiatives, and emerging building design standards in the healthcare sector
Skills, Capabilities and Attributes
Essential
- Strong leadership, management skills and strong attention to detail to oversee the development and implementation of design briefs and spatial design requirements
- Analytical and problem-solving skills to assess the effectiveness of design briefs and spatial design options in meeting transformational standards
- Project management skills to coordinate testing and piloting activities, manage timelines, and deliver results
- Strategic thinking and decision-making abilities
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A bachelor's degree or master's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or a related field is typically required
Desirable
- Membership in professional organisations or associations related to architecture, or healthcare facility design would be beneficial. For example, membership in the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) or the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
- Professional accreditation or registration with a relevant architectural body
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrates extensive experience in the design and construction of facilities (ideally healthcare), with a strong focus on spatial design, and in-depth knowledge of relevant healthcare design standards, guidelines, and best practices, including the application of spatial design principles
- Knowledge of modular construction processes and the ability to ensure that design specifications align with constructability requirements
- Experience in reviewing and aligning design solutions with transformational briefs and standards
- Familiarity with testing and piloting designs to drive best practice and identify areas for improvement
- Expertise in governance and decision-making
- Extensive experience with stakeholder engagement and management
Desirable
- Knowledge of whole-life design principles, sustainability, low carbon initiatives, and emerging building design standards in the healthcare sector
Skills, Capabilities and Attributes
Essential
- Strong leadership, management skills and strong attention to detail to oversee the development and implementation of design briefs and spatial design requirements
- Analytical and problem-solving skills to assess the effectiveness of design briefs and spatial design options in meeting transformational standards
- Project management skills to coordinate testing and piloting activities, manage timelines, and deliver results
- Strategic thinking and decision-making abilities
