Design Manager

DCOH; Darwin; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

DCOH is seeking a Darwin-based Design Manager to lead, coordinate and control the design process across all project phases, ensuring compliant, buildable and commercially aligned outcomes. You will oversee design workshops, manage consultants and drive integration across architectural, structural, civil and services disciplines.

Successful candidates will have 8–12+ years in design management within major projects, a strong command of construction methodologies, BCA/NCC knowledge, and

Qualifications

• Eight to 12 years or more of design management experience within the construction or major projects environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multidisciplinary design teams on large-scale projects.
• Advanced ability to interpret, review and integrate architectural and engineering documentation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and industry-standard document control platforms (Aconex, Revizto, Bluebeam).
• Knowledge of BCA, NCC, Australian Standards, statutory approval processes and authority requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design process from concept through to construction and handover.
• Establish and manage the Design Management framework across the division.
• Coordinate architectural, structural, civil and building services disciplines into integrated design solutions.
• Lead design workshops, coordination meetings and value engineering activities.
• Review and approve design documentation and resolve design issues, RFIs, clashes and inconsistencies.
• Engage and manage design consultants, monitoring performance against programme and contractual requirements.

Skills

Design leadership

Stakeholder management

Multidisciplinary coordination

Problem solving

Planning & scheduling

Education

Tertiary qualification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management

Tools

Aconex

Revizto

Bluebeam

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Established in 1987, DCOH is an experienced construction and development company operating across residential, commercial, hospitality and real estate sectors.

We have a strong track record delivering complex projects, including award winning work such as the Charles Darwin University Danala Education and Community Precinct, recognised with a 2025 National Master Builders Award of Excellence.

With operations in both the Northern Territory and Victoria, we deliver high quality projects with a clear focus on buildability, programme certainty and strong on-site execution.

Driven by a commitment toBuilding Better, DCOH combines experience, innovation and disciplined execution creating lasting value for our clients, partners and the communities we serve.

WHO YOU ARE

This Darwin-based role is responsible for leading, coordinating and controlling the design process across all project phases to ensure compliant, coordinated, buildable and commercially aligned design outcomes.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Tertiary qualification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline
• Eight to 12 years or more of design management experience within the construction or major projects environment
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multidisciplinary design teams across large-scale projects
• Strong understanding of construction methodology, sequencing, procurement and commercial drivers
• Expert knowledge of the BCA, NCC, Australian Standards, statutory approval processes and authority requirements
• Proven leadership, negotiation and stakeholder management capability
• Highly developed problem-solving, planning and decision-making skills
• Advanced ability to interpret, review and integrate architectural and engineering documentation
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and industry-standard document control and collaboration platforms such as Aconex, Revizto and Bluebeam

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead and manage the end-to-end design process from concept through to construction and handover
• Establish, implement and maintain the Design Management framework across the division
• Establish and manage project-specific Design Management Plans, including design scope, deliverables, responsibilities and review gateways
• Provide design leadership aligned with project objectives, construction methodology, procurement strategy and commercial drivers
• Ensure design documentation supports buildability, constructability, safety in design and efficient sequencing, while identifying and managing design-related risks and opportunities
• Coordinate architectural, structural, civil and building services disciplines into fully integrated design solutions
• Establish and manage design programmes to achieve key milestones, statutory approvals and construction issue dates
• Lead design workshops, coordination meetings, user group sessions and value engineering activities
• Review and approve design documentation and drive the timely resolution of design issues, RFIs, clashes and inconsistencies
• Lead the engagement, novation, briefing and management of design consultants, monitoring their performance against programme, quality and contractual requirements
• Act as the primary interface between consultants, internal project teams, subcontractors, authorities and clients on design matters
• Manage statutory approvals and ensure designs comply with the BCA, NCC, Australian Standards, authority requirements and project-specific obligations
• Oversee HSEQ-in-Design processes and ensure sustainability requirements and targets are embedded, documented and verified
• Ensure design outcomes align with project budgets, cost plans and procurement strategies, including value engineering, trade packaging, variations and consultant fee claims
• Oversee design document control and quality assurance while leading, mentoring and building the capability of Design Coordinators and other design team members