Group Design Manager | Newmarket

Metlifecare; Newmarket; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in elderly care is seeking a highly skilled Group Design Manager to lead innovative design solutions. Your expertise will ensure that design excellence contributes to long-term growth and value. With a supportive development team, you will oversee implementation standards and manage key relationships to ensure quality outcomes.

Benefits

Paid wellness days

Birthday leave

Free health insurance for permanent staff

26 weeks parental leave at full pay

Continuing Kiwisaver contributions for over 65s

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Referral bonus of up to $1500

Access to extensive training courses

Education, Development and Training Support

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in architecture or design management.
• Extensive expertise in overseeing project delivery.
• Familiar with aged-care sector regulations and healthcare facility planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead in-house design managers and oversee consultants.
• Ensure that design solutions are innovative, practical, and cost-effective.
• Manage relationships with internal stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

Skills

Design Management

Multidisciplinary Team Coordination

User-Centric Design

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Architecture

Professional Registration in Architecture

Job description

• Deliver cost effective, consistent and innovative design solutions
• Be part of an innovative and forward-thinking development team and sustainable development programme.
• Competitive Salary and Bonus structure.
• Flexible working arrangements.

Metlifecare Development Programme

Our development team is delivering on a significant programme of work across New Zealand, our development pipeline is providing geographic diversification, and expand our aged care offering, all underpinned by ambitious ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) targets.

Having recently completed Green Star 6 design rating care buildings, our developments are the leading edge of sustainable design innovation in the retirement industry.

About the role
We are seeking a high performing and experienced Group Design Manager to lead and and deliver cost-effective and consistent design solutions, along with driving innovation and cost-savings in design. Reporting to the Head of Delivery, the role works closely with all internal stakeholder groups to produce customer-focused outcomes that contribute to long-term growth and value for Metlifecare

Some of the key responsibilities for this role include:

• Lead a team of in-house design managers who oversee the work of external design consultants in the completion of design phases post resource consent.
• Work closely with the Project Management team to ensure that design solutions are not only innovative but also practical, cost-effective, and buildable.
• Oversee the development and implementation of Metlifecare's design standards.
• Manage key relationships with internal stakeholders, design consultants, contractors, suppliers, councils, and regulatory bodies.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders—including Development, Acquisitions, and Sales teams — contributing site master-planning and feasibility assessments

About you

You will have ten years plus of professional experience in architecture or related design-focused positions. With extensive expertise in architectural and design management, you are skilled in managing and coordinating multidisciplinary teams, overseeing project delivery and ensuring design excellence.

If you have aged-care sector experience, including knowledge of regulatory frameworks, user centric design principles for elderly populations and familiarity with healthcare facility planning we would be very keen to speak with you.

About us

Established in 1984, Metlifecare is a leading owner and operator of retirement villages, providing rewarding lifestyles and care to more than 6,500 New Zealanders. We pride ourselves on providing retirement communities in which people are empowered to be the very best version of themselves. Metlifecare currently operates over 36 villages located around New Zealand and employs over 2000 staff.

Some of our Benefits!

• 3 paid wellness days per annum
• 1 paid day of leave to celebrate your birthday each year
• Health Insurance - automatic cover free to all permanent staff
• 26 weeks of parental leave on full pay and 5 days paid leave for partners.
• Kiwisaver payments continued for those opted in over the age of 65 years
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Refer a friend incentive of up to $1500*
• Access to thousands of online training modules and courses from some of the world's leading learning specialists
• Education, Development and Training Support

Not sure if this role is for you but interested in what else Metlifecare has to offer? Then please visit our careers pagewww.careers.metlifecare.co.nz/home to see our other current vacancies.

Please note that Identification and work eligibility is required with your application.