Design Manager - Residential Developer

STRIVE Search; South Dublin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

STRIVE Search in Ireland is seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead the design process for residential Design & Build projects. You will coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors and site teams to ensure timely, buildable design information from planning through handover.

The role offers autonomy within a supportive leadership team, with emphasis on managing multiple projects, maintaining design development documentation, and ensuring compliance with building

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience as Design Manager or Design Coordinator in residential D&B projects.
• Degree in Architecture, Engineering or Construction Management.
• Strong knowledge of building regulations, planning processes, and D&B contracts.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead the design process on residential D&B projects, ensuring timely delivery of coordinated and buildable design information.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, and site teams.
• Chair regular design team meetings and workshops to track progress and resolve design-related issues.
• Ensure design outputs align with cost plans, construction programmes, and client requirements.
• Oversee statutory approvals, planning conditions, and technical submissions.
• Support procurement and construction by providing accurate design information and resolving queries on-site.
• Identify design risks and lead mitigations.
• Maintain documentation of design development throughout project lifecycles.

Skills

Design management

Coordination

Stakeholder management

Reading drawings

Education

Architecture degree

Engineering degree

Construction Management degree

Job description

We’re working with a well-established Irish Developer with a strong track record in delivering high-quality design & build (D&B) residential projects who are seeking an experienced Design Manager to join their team in Dublin. With multiple projects underway and a healthy pipeline, this is a key role in ensuring the effective coordination of all design activities from planning through to handover.

You’ll be joining a collaborative team of Design Managers and report directly to the Construction Director. The role offers a high degree of autonomy while also being fully supported by an experienced leadership team.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage and lead the design process on residential D&B projects, ensuring timely delivery of coordinated and buildable design information.

• Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, and site teams to ensure clarity, compliance, and quality across all design packages.
• Chair regular design team meetings and workshops to track progress and resolve design-related issues.
• Ensure that design outputs align with cost plans, construction programmes, and client requirements.
• Oversee statutory approvals, planning conditions, and technical submissions.
• Support procurement and construction by providing accurate and timely design information and resolving technical queries on-site.
• Proactively identify design risks and lead solutions to mitigate them.
• Maintain documentation and records of design development throughout project life cycles.

Requirements:

• 5+ years’ experience in a Design Manager or Design Coordinator role, with a proven background in design & build residential projects.
• Degree-qualified in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management.
• Strong working knowledge of building regulations, planning processes, and D&B contrcts.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and stakeholder management skills.
• Able to work autonomously and manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Confident in reading and reviewing architectural and engineering drawings.