Project Design Manager

The GPT Group; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The GPT Group in Australia is seeking a Project Design Manager to oversee the design and delivery of retail developments from brief to completion.

You will lead design development, coordinate with the Development Team, manage external consultants, and ensure buildable, on-brand outcomes across national retail and mixed-use projects.

Strong knowledge of architectural principles, budgeting, and tender processes, plus stakeholder collaboration, will help drive projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Experience in Retail development projects from a design perspective.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and design budgets.
• Experience through tender processes and evaluating with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain drawing schedules and documentation programs.
• Manage relationships with external consultants and milestones.
• Provide guidance on resolving complex construction details.
• Review conceptual design packages for buildability and clarity.
• Maintain a design documentation system reflecting intent and buildability.
• Manage the tender process and provide tender recommendations.
• Establish and monitor the design forecast budget.

Skills

Retail development

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Tender process

Education

Tertiary education

Job description

We shape leading experiences across office, retail, logistics and student accommodation.

We're one of Australia's largest property groups, managing $40 billion worth of assets across the country.

Our sustainable returns from investments come from focusing on what matters most to customers — a great experience and doing good. Every day, our people are driving positive impact for people, place and planet. They're inquisitive, pioneering industry firsts and pushing new ideas to deliver exceptional outcomes.

This passion and expertise creates an employee experience that puts wellbeing, flexibility and opportunity first.

The role

We are currently looking for a Project Design Manager to oversee the design and delivery of retail developments, managing the project from start to finish.

Working closely with the Development Team to identify necessary changes to align with the asset's long-term goals, this role involves leading design development, from brief creation to project completion. The PDM will ensure a consistent, national approach to design, consultant procurement, and management throughout the retail and mixed-use development process.

What you will be doing

• In collaboration with the Design General Manager, create and maintain detailed drawing schedules and documentation programs for each project, ensuring deadlines are met and timelines are achievable.
• Managing relationships with external consultants, ensuring that documentation milestones are met in line with the project schedule and that alignment between design documentation and project goals and that buildability requirements are attained.
• Providing clear guidance to the project team for resolving complex construction details and ensuring the integration of design solutions within the broader project scope.
• Reviewing conceptual design packages to identify and address buildability issues, lack of clarity or missing information.
• Implementing and maintaining an efficient system for handling and storing design documentation, ensuring all project documents are accessible and well-organized, ensuring that documentation reflects the design intent and addresses any buildability concerns.
• Managing the tender process by preparing and issuing tender documentation and providing tender recommendations based on analysis.
• Establishing and managing the design forecast budget, ensuring alignment with project financial objectives and monitoring the design budget throughout the project's lifecycle, providing regular updates and taking corrective action as needed to stay within budget.

What makes you stand out

To be successful in this role, you will have experience in Retail development projects from a design perspective, working through all phases from approval through to successful completion and have a strong knowledge of architectural principles, design and construction methodologies.

Tertiary educated, you can successfully manage multiple projects and the ability to manage design budgets, with a focus on achieving financial objectives.

You will have proven experience working through the tender process and be able to evaluate and make recommendations to senior stakeholders.

Outstanding interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills are required, along with the ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders.

This role would suit an ambitious person with a strong attention, who is looking to join a leading property investment company.

What makes us stand out

• Enjoy flexible working arrangements and generous leave options.
• Experience market-leading parental leave benefits including 22 weeks paid leave for either carer and childcare allowance once you return to work.
• Embrace diverse and challenging career opportunities, supported by our dedicated Learning & Development Team committed to your growth.
• Engage in comprehensive Wellbeing programs and benefit from market-leading policies and support tailored to diverse needs.
• Be recognised by peers through nomination awards and take part in our generous Employee Referral Program.

We know the power of a great experience

• Ranked 5th in the 2025 Gender Equality Global Report released by Equileap.
• Placed 1st of real estate investment trusts in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2025 Yearbook.
• Earned a silver ranking in Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) for LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
• Awarded our fifth consecutive Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) in 2023-2025.
• Committed to our second Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

GPT offers an inclusive workplace culture and embraces people with diverse perspectives, skills and backgrounds. We welcome applications from First Nations candidates, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people living with disability and people of diverse ages, cultures and backgrounds.

If this role sounds like you, we want to hear from you. Go for it!