Design Manager

DCOH; Perth; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

DCOH is seeking a Darwin-based Design Manager to lead and coordinate the design process across all project phases for major developments. You will ensure compliant, coordinated, buildable designs aligned with programme and commercial goals, working with multidisciplinary teams.

The role requires a tertiary qualification and 8–12+ years of design management experience, with strong knowledge of Australian standards and approvals, plus leadership and collaboration abilities.

Qualifications

• Eight to twelve years or more of design management experience in construction or major projects.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams across large-scale projects.
• Strong understanding of BCA, NCC, Australian Standards and approvals.
• Proven leadership, negotiation and stakeholder management capability.
• Advanced ability to interpret and integrate architectural and engineering documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design process from concept through construction and handover.
• Establish, implement and maintain the Design Management framework across the division.
• Create project Design Management Plans with scope, deliverables and review gateways.
• Provide design leadership aligned with project objectives and procurement strategy.
• Coordinate architectural, structural, civil and building services disciplines into integrated designs.
• Review design documentation and drive timely resolution of RFIs and clashes.
• Lead engagement of design consultants and monitor performance against requirements.
• Ensure designs comply with BCA, NCC, Australian Standards and authority requirements.

Skills

Design management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Documentation & compliance

Education

Tertiary qualification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline

Tools

Aconex

Revizto

Bluebeam

Microsoft Office

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