Design Manager | Developer/Builder

Zenith Executive Search; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Landmark projects

Strong pipeline

Career progression

Supportive team

Job summary

Zenith Executive Search seeks an experienced Design Manager to lead the design process for premium high-rise residential projects in Brisbane. You will own the design lifecycle from acquisition and planning through to construction and handover, collaborating with development, construction and commercial teams.

Scope includes coordinating external consultants, driving value engineering and ensuring compliance with NCC and Australian Standards, while delivering on programme and budget targets.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Design Manager in commercial building or developer-builder environments.
• Delivery of high-rise residential apartment projects.
• Full lifecycle design knowledge from concept to handover.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, design coordination and buildability.
• Understanding of planning approvals, NCC and Australian Standards.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary consultant teams and solving complex technical issues.
• Commercially minded with ability to balance schedule, cost, quality and design.
• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong organisational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Tertiary qualification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design process across multiple high-rise developments.
• Coordinate external consultants including architects, structural, and services.
• Drive design outcomes to align with programme, budget and quality.
• Review and manage design documentation for accuracy and buildability.
• Identify and mitigate design risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Facilitate workshops and stakeholder presentations.
• Collaborate with development, construction and delivery teams for seamless execution.
• Lead value engineering while preserving design intent.
• Ensure designs comply with NCC, Australian Standards and planning requirements.
• Provide technical guidance during procurement, tendering and construction.
• Support RFIs, clarifications and consultant coordination during construction.
• Build relationships with consultants, contractors, authorities and stakeholders.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to join a leading developer-builder delivering premium high-rise residential projects. This is an opportunity to play a key role in the successful delivery of landmark developments, taking ownership of the design process from acquisition and planning through to construction and project completion.

Working closely with internal development, construction and commercial teams, you will manage the entire design lifecycle, ensuring projects are delivered on programme, within budget and to the highest standards of quality and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design process across multiple high-rise residential developments.
• Coordinate and manage external consultants including architects, structural, civil, façade, landscape, building services and specialist consultants.
• Drive design outcomes that align with programme, budget, quality and commercial objectives.
• Review and manage design documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness and buildability.
• Identify and mitigate design risks throughout each stage of the project lifecycle.
• Facilitate consultant workshops, design coordination meetings and stakeholder presentations.
• Work closely with Development Managers during planning, authority approvals and design development.
• Collaborate with Construction, Commercial and Delivery teams to ensure seamless project execution.
• Lead value engineering initiatives while maintaining design intent and project quality.
• Manage design changes and ensure appropriate documentation and approvals are maintained.
• Ensure all designs comply with the NCC, Australian Standards, planning requirements and relevant legislation.
• Provide technical guidance during procurement, tendering and construction.
• Support project teams with RFIs, design clarifications and consultant coordination during construction.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with consultants, contractors, authorities and key stakeholders.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Design Manager within a commercial builder, developer-builder or consultancy environment.
• Demonstrated experience delivering high-rise residential apartment projects.
• Strong understanding of the full project lifecycle from concept design through to construction and handover.
• Excellent knowledge of construction methodology, design coordination and buildability.
• Strong understanding of planning approvals, authority requirements, NCC and Australian Standards.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary consultant teams and resolving complex technical issues.
• Commercially minded with the ability to balance programme, cost, quality and design outcomes.
• Exceptional communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to work on landmark high-rise residential developments.
• Join a growing developer-builder with a strong project pipeline.
• Collaborative, high-performing and supportive team environment.
• Genuine opportunity to influence design outcomes from concept through to completion.
• Long-term career progression into Senior Design Management and Design Leadership roles.
• Attractive salary package aligned with experience.