Design Manager - Construction (Brisbane)

Our client is a Developer Builder with more than 30 years of operations in Australia, delivering landmark mixed-use developments nationally. The construction delivery arm of the group, provides project, design, and construction management services nationally. The Design Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating the design development and delivery of large-scale residential, mixed-use, hotel, and urban renewal projects across Brisbane and Southeast Queensland. The role ensures all project designs align the builders commercial objectives, quality standards, construction methodologies, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder expectations. Working closely with internal development, construction, and delivery teams, the Design Manager oversees consultants, architects, engineers, and specialist advisors from concept through to project completion. Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design process across all project phases including concept, schematic, design development, documentation, and construction delivery.
- Manage external consultants including architects, planners, engineers, landscape architects, and specialist advisors.
- Ensure design outcomes meet project vision, budget, programme, and quality benchmarks.
- Drive innovative, practical, and buildable design solutions.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary consultant teams to achieve project milestones and approvals.
- Work closely with development and construction teams to integrate buildability and cost considerations into design solutions.
- Monitor consultant deliverables, design timelines, and reporting requirements.
- Facilitate design workshops, coordination meetings, and stakeholder presentations.
- Support feasibility studies, value engineering, and procurement strategies.
- Review documentation for compliance, constructability, and cost efficiency.
- Identify and mitigate design risks throughout project delivery.
- Assist in tender evaluations and contractor coordination.
- Liaise with local councils, statutory authorities, and approval bodies.
- Maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and project partners.
- Present design outcomes and recommendations to senior leadership teams. Quality & Compliance
- Ensure projects comply with:
- National Construction Code (NCC)
- Australian Standards
- Planning and development approvals
- Environmental and sustainability requirements
- WHS obligations
- Maintain design quality assurance procedures and documentation standards. Skills & Experience
- Minimum 7–10 years’ experience in design management, architecture, development, or construction, ideally in Brisbane/SE Qld.
- Experience delivering large-scale residential, mixed-use, hotel, or commercial developments.
- Strong understanding of construction methodologies and project delivery.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multidisciplinary consultant teams.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working within fast-paced development environments. Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, Property Development, or related discipline.
- Postgraduate qualifications or skilled accreditation desirable. Preferred
- Experience with high-rise/mixed use or major urban renewal projects.
- Knowledge of Queensland planning and development processes.
- Experience working for a developer-builder or integrated delivery model or Construction business. CVs to include Project scale and stages of involvement. Apply on Kit Job: kitjobau.com/job/3r3mjh