This is a key step for a capable design and approvals professional who wants to own the full front‐end of projects with a fast‐paced builder–developer operating across SEQ. You'll join a construction and development group delivering townhouse, industrial, commercial, and multi‐residential projects from $2M - $30M. The business manages projects from early concept and feasibility through to approvals, construction, and handover, and is actively scaling its development arm.
They're now appointing a Design Manager to drive D&C and builder‐developer projects from idea to site start, reducing bottlenecks, tightening approvals, and taking pressure off senior leadership and estimating.
The Role
You'll own the front‐end of the pipeline: taking projects from concept through DA and BA, into fully coordinated IFC documentation ready for tender and construction.
You Will:
* Drive full DA and BA pathways, including sequencing and authority approvals (utilities, build over sewer, stormwater, QFEs, service authority lead times).
* Coordinate consultants, track actions, and close out items quickly.
* Manage design development from DA to IFC documentation.
* Review plans for buildability, methodology, sequencing, and risk.
* Produce massing studies or yield analysis to support feasibility.
* Support site acquisition assessments with key stakeholders.
* Work closely with estimating on design–cost trade‐offs.
* Keep internal teams informed on critical path and design risk.
* Ensure projects are "site ready" with no hidden approval gaps.
* Move D&C projects from award to site efficiently with clean documentation.
This is a fast‐paced, low red‐tape role for someone who enjoys driving momentum and owning outcomes.
The Offer
* $130,000 + super
* Direct access to senior leadership
* Exposure across both client D&C projects and a growing development pipeline
* Newly fitted office environment
* High‐trust, low‐red‐tape culture with direct communication
* Opportunity for long‐term growth within a development‐led environment
What Winning Looks Like
Success in this role looks like:
* Faster progression of D&C jobs from award to site.
* Approvals planned early with gaps identified and resolved.
* Consultants coordinated effectively with minimal rework.
* Reliable design‐cost trade‐off information for estimating and leadership.
* Projects arriving on site fully documented and approval‐compliant.
Responsibilities
You'll be responsible for:
* Planning and executing DA/BA sequencing and authority approvals.
* Coordinating and driving consultants to meet milestones.
* Overseeing design progression from DA to IFC.
* Reviewing design for constructability and risk.
* Preparing or supporting feasibility massing/yield studies.
* Assisting with site acquisition assessments.
* Liaising with estimating on design implications and trade‐offs.
* Keeping stakeholders across critical path items and design risks.
* Facilitating clean project handover from concept to tender to delivery.
You
Backgrounds that suit this role include:
* Drafting
* Town planning
* Development management
* Council/authority approvals
You will likely bring:
* Experience managing DA through to full construction documentation (preferred).
* Strong understanding of council processes and authority approvals.
* Knowledge of utilities, sequencing, and service authority lead times.
* Confidence managing consultants and driving outcomes.
* Comfort working quickly without corporate layers or process‐heavy environments.
* Ability to produce basic massing or yield studies (ideal).
* Clear communication and a practical, outcome‐focused mindset.
* Strong ownership, accountability, and decisiveness.
Why This Role
If you want to own the front‐end of projects, work closely with decision‐makers, and help move developments to site faster in a business that values logic, momentum, and trust, this role offers that opportunity. To request the full brief or discuss the role further, email
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