Design Manager

Gensler; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

Bonus opportunities

Job summary

Gensler, Sydney, seeks a Design Manager to lead the design and delivery of complex architectural projects. You will collaborate with clients, Design Directors, Project Architects and multidisciplinary teams to translate vision into coordinated, high-quality outcomes.

You will provide leadership across design phases, balancing design excellence with programme, budget and client expectations. Based in Sydney, you will mentor teams and drive design delivery end-to-end.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of project/design management experience in an architecture firm.
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Architecture.
• Extensive experience in all phases of architectural projects.
• Ability to provide excellent client service and assure project profitability.
• Desire to lead teams and to mentor junior staff.
• High level of architecture competence in mixed‑use developments.
• Strong knowledge of building codes and accessibility requirements.
• Sustainable design experience with LEED exposure preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for client presentations and coordination.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the design process across complex architectural projects, helping teams deliver cohesive design solutions that respond to the project brief.
• Work closely with Design Directors, Project Architects and project leadership to maintain design intent throughout all phases.
• Manage communication and coordination between clients, internal project teams, consultants and contractors.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams through design development, documentation and delivery, ensuring quality and coordination.
• Support development of project programmes, design deliverables and milestones.
• Identify and resolve design, coordination and technical issues with the wider project team.
• Lead client presentations, design workshops and project meetings, communicating design direction and decisions.
• Review project documentation to ensure alignment with design intent and codes.
• Balance design ambition with technical, commercial, programme and constructability requirements.
• Establish and maintain productive client relationships through strong communication and project delivery.
• Coordinate scope, resources and fees with project leadership; support proposals and business development.
• Mentor and coach junior/mid-level staff and contribute to studio culture and learning programmes.

Skills

Client relationship management

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Microsoft Office

Job description

Your Role

As a Design Manager at Gensler, you will play a key role in leading the design and delivery of complex architectural projects. You will work closely with clients, Design Directors, Project Architects and multidisciplinary teams to translate project vision into coordinated, high-quality design outcomes.

Description

Your Role

As a Design Manager at Gensler, you will play a key role in leading the design and delivery of complex architectural projects. You will work closely with clients, Design Directors, Project Architects and multidisciplinary teams to translate project vision into coordinated, high-quality design outcomes.

You will provide leadership across multiple phases of the design process, balancing design excellence, technical requirements, programme, budget and client expectations. This role is suited to an experienced design professional who is comfortable working on large and complex projects, building strong client relationships and guiding teams through design challenges from concept through delivery.

This position will be based in Sydney.

What You Will Do

• Lead and coordinate the design process across complex architectural projects, helping teams deliver cohesive design solutions that respond to the project brief.
• Work closely with Design Directors, Project Architects and project leadership to maintain design intent throughout all phases of a project.
• Manage communication and coordination between clients, internal project teams, consultants, contractors and other project stakeholders.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams through design development, documentation and delivery, ensuring quality, consistency and coordination.
• Support the development of project programmes, design deliverables and key milestones.
• Identify and resolve design, coordination and technical issues in collaboration with the wider project team.
• Lead client presentations, design workshops and project meetings, clearly communicating design direction, progress and key decisions.
• Review project documentation to ensure alignment with design intent, project requirements and applicable codes and standards.
• Support project teams in balancing design ambition with technical, commercial, programme and constructability requirements.
• Establish and maintain productive client relationships through strong communication and successful project delivery.
• Coordinate with project leadership on scope, resources, fees and project performance.
• Support proposals, interviews and business development activities where required.
• Mentor and coach junior and mid-level team members, supporting their professional growth and development.
• Contribute to studio culture, knowledge sharing, learning programmes and broader office initiatives.

Your Qualifications

• 12+ years of project/design management experience in an architecture firm
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Architecture
• Extensive experience in all phases of architectural projects
• Ability to provide excellent client service and assure project profitability
• Desire to lead teams and to mentor junior staff
• High level of architecture competence and expertise in mixed‑use developments
• High level of knowledge of state and local building codes, including accessibility
• Sustainable design experience, with a preference for hands‑on LEED project participation and accreditation
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex design concepts into compelling narratives for client presentations, consultant coordination, and internal team alignment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and Project), AutoCAD and/or Revit

Life at Gensler

As a people-first organization, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best‑in‑class design. From internal design competitions to research grants to “Well‑being Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability and wellness programs. We also offer profit sharing and twice annual bonus opportunities.

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff… All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under applicable regulatory laws.

Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable regulatory laws.

Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us.

Regarding Gensler’s approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud. Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email [e-mail].