Design & Build Recruitment – Melbourne VIC
About the Role
We are looking for a Design Manager to lead and nurture our client's design team while ensuring excellence across project delivery. You will be the bridge between creative ambition and commercial delivery - driving design quality, feasibility, and innovation across a diverse portfolio of architectural and interior projects.
Key Responsibilities
* Design Leadership & Direction
o Develop and articulate the design vision for projects, from concept through to documentation and construction.
o Lead design reviews, provide thoughtful critique, and mentor senior designers and junior staff.
o Ensure design integrity while aligning with client expectations, brand goals, and regulatory requirements.
* Project Management & Delivery
o Oversee multiple projects in parallel, ensuring design milestones are met on time and within budget.
o Coordinate with internal teams (architecture, interiors, landscape) and external consultants.
o Manage risk, review design decisions for constructability, and work with the project team to resolve issues.
* Client Engagement
o Serve as a key point of contact for clients during the design phase, interpreting their brief and advocating for design solutions.
o Present design concepts, lead workshops, and facilitate feedback sessions.
o Negotiate design fees and variations, ensuring profitability without compromising on design quality.
* Quality Assurance & Design Governance
o Develop and maintain design QA/QC protocols, ensuring that drawings and documentation meet high standards.
o Establish internal design processes and ensure consistency in design output across projects.
o Implement and maintain design standards, templates, and libraries to improve efficiency.
* Team Management & Development
o Hire, mentor, and retain talented designers; develop career pathways for design staff.
o Foster a collaborative, creative studio culture, promoting continuous learning and innovation.
o Provide regular performance feedback, encourage professional growth, and champion design excellence.
* Sustainability & Innovation
o Embed sustainable design thinking and ESD (Environmentally Sustainable Design) principles throughout the design process.
o Research and propose innovative materials, technologies, and methodologies to enhance design outcomes.
o Champion design-led solutions that balance aesthetic ambition with environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
* Governance & Compliance
o Ensure design deliverables comply with statutory requirements, building codes, and other relevant regulations.Liaise with authorities, planners, and other stakeholders as needed during the design process.
o Contribute to risk management by ensuring design decisions are documented and justified.
* Operational & Financial Oversight
o Monitor project financials (design fees, consultant costs, profitability) and manage design budgets effectively.
o Lead value-engineering discussions when necessary to align design ambition with cost constraints.
o Track and report on design KPIs (e.g., milestone delivery, chargeable hours, design quality metrics).
Key Skills and Experience
* Qualifications: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Interior Design
* Experience:
o Circa 10 years in an architectural/design firm, with a portion in a senior or lead design role.
o Proven experience managing design teams and delivering design-led projects.Experience across multiple project phases: concept, SD/DD, documentation, and construction.
* Technical Skills:
o Strong design portfolio demonstrating creative leadership.
o Proficiency in design software (e.g., Revit, SketchUp, CAD) and documentation platforms.
o Understanding of sustainability principles, ESD, and innovative material systems.
* Leadership & Communication:
o Excellent people management skills: able to mentor, inspire, and develop a team.
o Strong presentation skills with the ability to communicate design ideas clearly.
o Commercial acumen: able to negotiate, manage budgets, and align design with financial targets.
* Problem Solving:
o Ability to think critically about constructability, cost, and design trade-offs.
o Experience in resolving design conflicts and leading value engineering.
What We Offer
* A collaborative, design-driven studio environment that values creativity, innovation, and quality.
* Exposure to a diverse portfolio of architectural and interior projects (residential, commercial, hospitality, etc.).
* Opportunities for professional growth and leadership — you're not just managing projects, you're leading design.
* Strong support for sustainable design initiatives and design research.
* Competitive salary package up to $150,000 + super aligned with role responsibilities and studio ambitions.
Why This Role Is Important
This is a pivotal role in our client's studio. The Design Manager will shape how we deliver design excellence, nurture our design talent, and maintain profitability. You'll play a key role in balancing creativity and pragmatism: enabling innovative design while ensuring projects are commercially viable and deliverable.
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