Design Manager - Major Residential Developments

Contec Recruitment Pty Ltd; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Contec Recruitment Pty Ltd is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join a Brisbane-based principal contractor delivering major medium and high-rise residential developments across South East Queensland. You will lead design management from ECI through delivery, coordinating consultants and ensuring milestones are met.

Working with estimating, commercial and construction teams, you will drive value engineering, manage multidisciplinary design teams and develop practical, cost-effective design

Qualifications

• ECI and pre-construction experience.
• Experience delivering medium/high-rise residential projects.
• Proven ability to procure and administer consultant contracts.

Responsibilities

• Leading design management from ECI through construction and project delivery.
• Preparing consultant scopes and negotiating consultancy agreements.
• Developing and maintaining detailed design programmes and milestones.
• Managing multidisciplinary design teams (architecture, structure, services).
• Driving value engineering initiatives to improve buildability and cost outcomes.
• Identifying design risks and developing practical solutions.
• Coordinating design documentation and managing changes during construction.
• Collaborating with estimating and delivery teams to align design with commercial objectives.

Skills

ECI

Pre-construction

Consultant procurement

Design programming

Value engineering

Design management

Multidisciplinary leadership

Education

Bachelor of Construction Management / Architecture / Engineering or similar

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

An excellent opportunity is available for an experienced Design Manager to join a highly regarded Brisbane-based principal contractor delivering major residential developments across South East Queensland.

Working closely with an experienced senior leadership team, you will take ownership of design management from early contractor involvement (ECI) through pre-construction, consultant procurement, construction documentation and project delivery.

We are seeking a commercially minded Design Manager who enjoys challenging conventional thinking, exploring alternative solutions and driving design outcomes that improve buildability, programme and project profitability.

Brisbane | Established Principal Contractor | Medium & High-Rise Residential

The Opportunity

You will play a key role in the pre-construction and delivery of major medium and high-rise residential developments, working closely with estimating, commercial and construction teams.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading design management from ECI through construction and project delivery.
• Preparing consultant scopes, negotiating consultancy agreements and managing consultant procurement.
• Developing and maintaining detailed design programmes, ensuring consultants meet critical milestones.
• Managing multidisciplinary design teams across architecture, structure, services and specialist disciplines.
• Driving value engineering initiatives to improve buildability, reduce costs and achieve stronger commercial outcomes.
• Identifying design risks, challenging assumptions and developing practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Coordinating design documentation and managing design changes throughout construction.
• Working closely with estimating and delivery teams to ensure design decisions align with commercial and programme objectives.

About You

We are specifically seeking a Design Manager who has developed their career with a Tier 1, Tier 2 or established Tier 3 principal building contractor and has extensive experience delivering medium and high-rise residential projects.

You will demonstrate:

• Strong ECI and pre-construction experience.
• Extensive experience preparing, negotiating and administering consultant contracts.
• Proven ability to procure and manage multidisciplinary consultant teams.
• Strong design programming skills and the ability to drive critical documentation milestones.
• Demonstrated experience delivering value engineering initiatives and measurable commercial improvements.
• Excellent technical construction knowledge and a thorough understanding of residential building methodology.
• A Bachelor of Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or similar qualification.
• Strong employment tenure and excellent professional references.

Importantly, you will bring a naturally curious, commercially astute and solutions-focused approach. We are looking for someone who enjoys questioning conventional design solutions, exploring alternatives and working collaboratively to achieve better project outcomes.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Join an established Brisbane principal contractor offering significant project responsibility, direct access to experienced senior leadership and the opportunity to influence major residential developments from their earliest stages.

You will benefit from a collaborative working environment, an attractive remuneration package and genuine opportunities for long-term career progression.