: Design Manager (Developer / Builder)

Position: Design Manager / Coordinator

Employment Type: Full-time

Location: Sydney, NSW

Company Type: Integrated Australian Property Developer & Tier 2 Builder

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to join our integrated property development and construction team. In this pivotal role, you will take ownership of residential and mixed-use projects from initial feasibility and planning, through design management and pre-construction to delivery and handover.

Working closely with HQ management, field construction, commercial, budget and sales teams, you will lead multidisciplinary consultant teams to ensure architectural excellence, buildability, commercial viability, and compliance with Australian building codes, statutory planning and relevant building regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Planning Approvals & Stakeholder Engagement

- Managing the end-to-end planning approval process, including Planning Proposal (PP), Development Application (DA), S4.55 modifications, and with local councils and state authorities.
- Liaising with council, utility bureau, public consultations, community notifications and relevant negotiation of consent for a positive commercial outcome that align with the developer’s principles and project vision.
- Appoint and manage key consultants (Urban Designer, Architect, Planning Consultant, Traffic Engineer, Heritage Consultant, Environmental Specialists, etc.).

2. Design Management & Buildability

- Appoint and manage architectural and engineering teams from initial concept design through to Detailed Design / Construction Documentation.
- Drive value engineering (VE) initiatives to maximize efficiency, control build cost and optimize yield without sacrificing architectural quality.
- Work directly with internal Estimating and Construction teams to ensure design align with buildability, structural grids, construction methodology, and trade budget allowances.




- Ensure strict adherence to National Construction Code (NCC-BCA), Australian Standards (AS), and state-specific residential design guides (e.g., ADG in NSW, Better Apartments in VIC).

3. Compliance, Pre-Construction & Delivery

- Ensure full compliance with statutory regulations, including the Design and Building Practitioners (D&BP;) Act for Regulated Buildings in NSW (Class 2 projects in NSW) and regulated design declarations.
- Manage the issuance of CC (Construction Certificate) / Building Permit and coordinate regulatory approvals with Accredited Certifiers – Principal Certifier.
- Assist construction teams during active build phases with design clarification (RFIs), design variations, and site-based problem solving.
- Oversee the transition to project completion, achieve Occupation Certificate (OC) approval and Handover process at practical completion.

Key Selection Criteria & Qualifications

Qualifications

- A tertiary qualification in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or a related discipline

Architectural credentials - Bachelor’s degree in architecture is desirable,
- Registration with relevant Australian professional bodies (e.g., API, AIA, AIQS) is highly regarded.

Experience

- Minimum 8 years’ experience in property development or construction design management within Australia (Developer, Builder, or Client-Side PM Consultancy).
- Proven track record in managing medium-to-high density residential (Class 2) or high rise, mixed-use / residential developments from DA phase to OC phases.
- Strong background in managing consultant teams (Architects, Structural/MEP Engineers, Certifiers).

Competencies & Skills

- Local Legislation:



Understanding of local council planning schemes, BCA-NCC, and state planning frameworks (e.g., NSW D&BP; Act).
- Buildability Expertise: Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, structural systems, and value engineering techniques.
- Communication: Exceptional negotiation, stakeholder management, and written communication skills.
- Bilingual skill: Proficiency in English & Chinese (Mandarin / Cantonese) is desirable.

Remuneration & Benefits

- Package: Competitive base salary + Superannuation ($160,000 – $200,000+ AUD depending on experience).
- Incentives: Annual performance bonus tied to project milestones and profitability.
- Benefits: Flexible/Hybrid working arrangements, career development allowance, and clear career progression pathways within an integrated developer-builder framework.

Design Manager/ Coordinator Roles

- Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary consultant teams consisting architectural, planning, environmental, structural, building services and specialist consultants throughout the full project lifecycle to resolve design and technical issues.
- Lead design workshops and consultant meetings from project conversion through to construction completion.
- Developing and managing design program, contribute to design reviews, approvals and key project milestones.
- Identify and manage design risks while proactively resolving project challenges to avoid impact on program or construction.
- Review documentation for buildability, coordination and value engineering opportunities.
- Balance architectural excellence with buildability, cost, programme and commercial objectives.
- Work closely with the in-house construction team to ensure seamless transition from design into delivery and the design intent is successfully realised on site.
- Manage RFIs, design changes and consultant performance.
- Building strong relationships with clients, consultants and key project stakeholders.

📌 Design Manager / Coordinator (Sydney)
🏢 LESSO
📍 Sydney