Design Manager

Hickory; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-Life Balance

Parental Leave

Novated Leasing

H-Perks Employee Rewards

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Diverse Opportunities

Job summary

Hickory is seeking a Design Manager to oversee design across construction projects with a strong Early Contractor Involvement focus. You will guide design teams, coordinate consultants and stakeholders, and ensure buildable, compliant solutions from pre-construction through delivery.

The role requires leadership, regulatory knowledge, and a track record in ECI to create value for clients. There is potential to transition into site-based responsibilities as projects progress.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Project Management or equivalent.
• 5 years of experience in Design Management for commercial construction projects.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance and design standards.
• Experience in Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) processes to find value for clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design process during ECI and pre-construction phases, ensuring alignment with objectives.
• Coordinate consultants, stakeholders, and internal teams to develop buildable design solutions.
• Provide technical advice on buildability, risk, value management, scope, and specifications.
• Support tender submissions and ECI activities through design coordination and review.
• Facilitate workshops, design reviews, and stakeholder meetings to drive collaboration early.
• Ensure compliance with legislative, safety, sustainability, and quality requirements.
• Manage design risk, change processes, and documentation through the design lifecycle.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, consultants, and project stakeholders.
• Provide continuity into project delivery phases with potential site-based responsibilities.

Skills

Leadership

Team Management

Regulatory Compliance

Design Standards

Stakeholder Management

Education

Bachelor of Construction Management or equivalent

Job description

At Hickory, we don't believe in standing still, for over three decades we have continually invested in researching and developing systems and products to improve the way we build. Our philosophy is 'Made for Life' - it's a commitment we honour, each day. Everything we do and everything we build is ‘Made for Life.' Whether it's refining our patented, prefabricated building products, developing more efficient and sustainable construction practices, or bringing expertise inhouse to supply critical components, we always believe there is a better way. As a result, Hickory has become one of the most dynamic construction and property companies in Australia.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Design Manager at Hickory serves a pivotal role in overseeing the comprehensive design aspects of construction projects. Their primary purpose lies in ensuring the seamless integration of design processes from initial planning to project completion. This role will initially focus on Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and pre-construction activities, with the opportunity to support projects through delivery phases as projects progress. They are responsible for guiding and coordinating design teams, offering expertise on buildability and ensuring design outcomes align with project objectives. The role also emphasises strong upfront capabilities, including ECI experience, to identify value for clients and lead the process in collaboration with consultants, authorities, the Project Team, and Estimators.

WHAT HICKORY CAN OFFER

• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a balanced work-life schedule with a standard 5-day work week.
• Family-Friendly Policies: Receive paid parental leave to support your family needs.
• Novated Leases: Take advantage of novated leasing options to maximise your salary and enjoy tax savings on vehicle expenses.
• H-Perks Employee Rewards: Access exclusive discounts, cashback and everyday savings through our internal benefits platform.
• Employee Wellbeing: Access our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for valuable support and resources.
• Diverse Opportunities: Gain exposure to a wide range of roles and industry leaders in our leading market company.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and manage the design process during Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and pre-construction phases, ensuring alignment with project objectives and client requirements
• Coordinate consultants, stakeholders, and internal teams to develop efficient, compliant, and buildable design solutions
• Provide technical advice on buildability, design risk, value management, procurement scope, and project specifications
• Support tender submissions and ECI activities through design coordination, methodology input, and technical review
• Facilitate workshops, design reviews, and stakeholder meetings to drive collaboration and resolve design issues early
• Ensure compliance with legislative, safety, sustainability, and quality requirements across all design outputs
• Manage design risk, change processes, and documentation throughout the design lifecycle
• Identify opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement in design processes and delivery outcomes
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, and project stakeholders
• Provide input and continuity into project delivery phases, with opportunity to transition into a site-based Design Manager responsibilities as projects progress
• Lead on-site design coordination and work closely with project teams to resolve construction-related design issues

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE ROLE

• Bachelor of Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Project Management or equivalent.
• 5 years of experience in Design Management for commercial construction projects.
• Proven Leadership and Team Management Skills.
• Strong Knowledge of Regulatory Compliance and Design Standards.
• Experience in managing design budgets effectively, optimising resources and making strategic decisions to ensure design excellence within budget constraints.
• Track record of integrating innovative design concepts and leveraging cutting-edge technology tools to enhance the design process.
• Experience in Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) processes to find value for clients and lead collaboration among consultants, authorities, and project stakeholders.

Please note that we are managing this search internally and are not partnering with recruitment agencies for this position. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.