Design Manager

Residential Builder | Sydney, NSW

About the Business
Our client is an established, privately owned NSW builder with a robust track record in residential, apartment and mixed-use projects. For almost 2 decades they have delivered a multibillion-dollar portfolio, ranging from boutique buildings to large multi-stage developments, and has built its reputation on quality and repeat business. Lead design from tender to handover.

The team is mid-sized and close-knit, so people here have real access to decision-makers. Design management is treated as a core part of how projects are won and delivered.

The Opportunity We are looking for an experienced Senior Design Manager to lead design on major residential and mixed-use projects. This is a builder-side role for someone who knows that good design has to work commercially and on site.

You will manage design from tender and preconstruction through to construction, coordinating consultants and working alongside project and site teams to make sure documentation is coordinated, compliant and buildable. You will have real influence over design development, methodology and value engineering.

Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership and Delivery

- Lead design management across your projects, from tender through to completion.
- Coordinate architects, engineers, services, façade and specialist consultants, and certifiers.
- Establish design management plans, programmes, deliverables and document control.
- Run design meetings and manage design changes and technical resolution.
- Track design progress against programme and act early on emerging risks.

Preconstruction and Commercial

- Contribute to tender reviews, design risk assessments and early contractor involvement.
- Review documentation for buildability and construction methodology.
- Identify and deliver value engineering without compromising quality or compliance.
- Support consultant procurement, including scopes of work.





Compliance and Quality

- Manage design compliance against NSW legislation, the NCC and relevant standards, including the Design and Building Practitioners Act and regulated designs.
- Coordinate with certifiers on Construction Certificate documentation.
- Maintain design registers, change management and safety-in-design risk registers.
- Carry out site walks and documentation audits to resolve discrepancies between design and construction.

Reporting and Improvement

- Maintain programmes, registers and control matrices.
- Prepare regular design reports covering status, compliance, risk and corrective actions.
- Contribute to improving templates, processes and systems.

About You

- Knowledge of NSW approval and compliance requirements, including the DBP Act and regulated designs. Class 2 experience is highly regarded.
- Proven experience as a Design Manager or Senior Design Manager within a building contractor, ideally on multi-residential or mixed-use projects.
- Comfortable working on site.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary consultants and specialist design packages.
- Strong understanding of buildability and of how design decisions affect cost and programme.
- Strong project controls and reporting skills.
- The confidence to challenge consultants constructively and drive accountability.

A tertiary qualification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or a related field is preferred. A demonstrated delivery record is essential.
Why Join?

- Significant projects: a varied residential and mixed-use portfolio.
- A stable business: an established builder with a long track record.
- Real influence: early involvement in design, value engineering and planning.
- Collaborative culture: accountability, quality and safety.
- Career growth: room to develop technical depth and leadership.

Interested? If you’re a commercially minded Design Manager with strong residential experience, we’d welcome a confidential conversation.

📌 Design Manager (Sydney)
🏢 Astrum
📍 Sydney