Design Manager
Location:
Sydney, NSW
About the Company
This privately owned Australian development group delivers high-quality residential and mixed-use projects across metropolitan markets. The business is recognised for its design-led approach, disciplined feasibility management and strong consultant and delivery partnerships. With an active and expanding pipeline, the company is focused on creating well-resolved, commercially robust developments that respond to market demand and deliver enduring built outcomes.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced
Design Manager
to lead and coordinate the full design process from concept through to construction documentation and delivery.
This is a pivotal role within the development team, responsible for driving design quality, managing consultant performance, protecting feasibility outcomes and ensuring programme certainty across multiple projects.
Key Responsibilities
Design Leadership & Coordination
Lead and coordinate the full consultant team from concept design through to construction documentation
Chair all design and consultant coordination meetings
Review and rigorously interrogate all design documentation prior to issue
Ensure design intent aligns with the approved development brief, feasibility parameters and programme milestones
Consultant Engagement & Management
Lead consultant procurement including fee requests, assessment, negotiation and formal appointment
Manage consultant contracts including onboarding, scope alignment and consultant transitions where required
Maintain strong working relationships across architects, engineers and specialist consultants
Manage consultant performance against agreed scope, budget and programme expectations
Budget & Value Management
Establish and manage consultant budgets across projects




Monitor design expenditure against approved budgets
Lead value engineering initiatives to maintain alignment with cost plans
Work closely with Development Managers to ensure feasibility integrity is maintained throughout design progression
Programme Management
Establish and maintain the overall design programme from concept through to construction
Drive timely delivery of documentation to meet DA, Design Excellence and construction timeframes
Identify programme risks early and proactively implement mitigation strategies
Development Interface
Partner closely with Development Managers to prepare and present project dashboards
Support feasibility reviews and strategic decision-making processes
Assist with authority engagement, stakeholder consultation and design panel presentations
Post-DA Delivery
Maintain leadership through detailed design and construction documentation phases
Coordinate consultant inputs for tender and construction packages
Support construction phase design management, including RFI review and resolution
Candidate Profile
Proven experience in a design management or senior architectural coordination role within a property development or consultancy environment
Strong understanding of residential and/or mixed-use development processes
Demonstrated ability to manage multidisciplinary consultant teams
Commercial acumen with the ability to balance design quality with feasibility constraints
Strong programme management capability and risk awareness
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
This role offers the chance to work within a nimble, design-focused development platform where design excellence and commercial discipline are equally valued, and where you will play a central role in shaping projects from early concept through to construction delivery.
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