Workplace Fit Out Design Manager

Workplace Fit Out Design Manager At Design Build 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 Develop and articulate the design vision for projects, from concept through to documentation and construction. Lead design reviews, provide thoughtful critique, and mentor senior designers and junior staff. Ensure design integrity while aligning with client expectations, brand goals, and regulatory requirements. Project Management & Delivery Oversee multiple projects in parallel, ensuring design milestones are met on time and within budget. Coordinate with internal teams (architecture, interiors, landscape) and external consultants. Manage risk, review design decisions for constructability, and work with the project team to resolve issues. Client Engagement Serve as a key point of contact for clients during the design phase, interpreting their brief and advocating for design solutions. Present design concepts, lead workshops, and facilitate feedback sessions. Negotiate design fees and variations, ensuring profitability without compromising on design quality. Quality Assurance & Design Governance Develop and maintain design QA/QC protocols, ensuring that drawings and documentation meet high standards. Establish internal design processes and ensure consistency in design output across projects. Implement and maintain design standards, templates, and libraries to improve efficiency. Team Management & Development Hire, mentor, and retain talented designers; develop career pathways for design staff. Foster a collaborative, creative studio culture, promoting continuous learning and innovation. Provide regular performance feedback, encourage professional growth, and champion design excellence. Sustainability & Innovation Embed sustainable design thinking and ESD (Environmentally Sustainable Design) principles throughout the design process. Research and propose innovative materials, technologies, and methodologies to enhance design outcomes. Champion design-led solutions that balance aesthetic ambition with environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Governance & Compliance 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. Contribute to risk management by ensuring design decisions are documented and justified. Operational & Financial Oversight Monitor project financials (design fees, consultant costs, profitability) and manage design budgets effectively. Lead value-engineering discussions when necessary to align design ambition with cost constraints. 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 ≈10 years in an architectural/design firm, with a portion in a senior or lead design role. Proven experience managing design teams and delivering design-led projects. Experience across multiple project phases: concept, SD/DD, documentation, and construction. Technical Skills Strong design portfolio demonstrating creative leadership. Proficiency in design software (e.g., Revit, SketchUp, CAD) and documentation platforms. Understanding of sustainability principles, ESD, and innovative material systems. Leadership & Communication Excellent people‑management skills: able to mentor, inspire, and develop a team. Strong presentation skills with the ability to communicate design ideas clearly. Commercial acumen: able to negotiate, manage budgets, and align design with financial targets. Problem Solving Ability to think critically about constructability, cost, and design trade‑offs. 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. Seniority level Director Employment type Full-time Job function Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology Industries Architecture and Planning #J-18808-Ljbffr