Design Manager | Commercial & Industrial | Up to $180k + Super

Ascend Recruit; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 144,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Superannuation

Flexible start times

Mostly office-based with flexible time

Job summary

Ascend Recruit Pty partners with a Queensland-based construction and development leader to appoint a Design Manager for Commercial & Industrial projects. You will own the design process from tender through on-site delivery and coordinate design development with external consultants and in-house teams across South-East Queensland.

The ideal candidate has 5–10 years in commercial construction or architecture, a strong background in architectural, structural, and building services design, and solid

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience in commercial construction, building, or architecture.

Responsibilities

• Own the full design process from tender and pre-construction through to on-site delivery.
• Lead and coordinate design development, documentation, and authority approvals.
• Drive buildability, value management, and cost-effective solutions without compromising design intent.
• Manage external consultants, design programmes, budgets, and project risks.
• Collaborate with in-house estimating and construction teams to ensure smooth project execution.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Design management

Tools

Architectural design

Building services design

On-site experience

Job description

Design Manager | Commercial & Industrial | Up to $180k + Super

Job Title: Design Manager – Commercial & Industrial Construction
Location: South-East Queensland
Salary: Up to $160,000 + Superannuation
Work Type: Full-Time (Mostly in-office with flexible start/finish times)

About the Opportunity
We are partnering with an award-winning and highly respected Queensland-based construction and development leader known for delivering major commercial, industrial, and retail projects. Operating under an integrated model that brings design, construction, and property in-house, they pride themselves on strong relationships, innovation, and a collaborative, values-led culture.

They are currently seeking an experienced Design Manager to own and drive the design process across a diverse portfolio of commercial, industrial development, and large-format retail projects throughout South-East Queensland.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the full design process from tender and pre-construction through to on-site delivery.
• Lead and coordinate design development, documentation, and authority approvals.
• Drive buildability, value management, and cost-effective solutions without compromising design intent.
• Manage external consultants, design programmes, budgets, and project risks.
• Collaborate seamlessly with in-house estimating and construction teams to ensure smooth project execution.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring a strong commercial mindset.

• 5–10 years of experience in commercial construction, building, or architecture.
• Strong background managing architectural, structural, and building services design.
• Sound knowledge of Australian building codes, standards, and planning regulations.
• On-site exposure with a practical understanding of how design decisions impact construction and operations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

The Package

• Remuneration: Up to $160,000 + Superannuation (commensurate with experience).
• Flexibility: Mostly office-based environment with flexible start and finish times.
• Culture: A collaborative, people-first workplace built on kindness, gratitude, and authenticity.

If you're ready to take on greater responsibility and build a long-term career in Design Management, we'd love to hear from you.