Job description
A leading Project Management consultancy is looking for a Senior Design Manager to drive design excellence across a portfolio of major healthcare, education and commercial projects for high-profile public and private sector clients. These are complex, sizeable developments requiring a trusted expert capable of navigating design, risk, coordination and stakeholder engagement at the highest level.
This firm is known for its strong pre-construction capability, high-performing team culture and ability to deliver on New Zealand’s most significant capital works programmes. If you thrive in an advisory environment and enjoy shaping strategy, design direction and project outcomes from day one, this is an opportunity to make a real impact.
The Opportunity
As Senior Design Manager, you will lead the design process across multiple project stages, working closely with Project Directors, client representatives, design consultants and wider project teams. You will be responsible for managing complexities across consent, design coordination, early contractor involvement and technical risk to ensure high-quality, compliant and deliverable design solutions.
You will be a key technical partner to major clients, contributing to project definition, feasibility, design management frameworks, briefing, procurement strategy and overall project governance.
Key Responsibilities
For a confidential conversation, contact Olivia Langford-Lee 027 2560620 or via email olivial@assemblerecruit.com
This firm is known for its strong pre-construction capability, high-performing team culture and ability to deliver on New Zealand’s most significant capital works programmes. If you thrive in an advisory environment and enjoy shaping strategy, design direction and project outcomes from day one, this is an opportunity to make a real impact.
The Opportunity
As Senior Design Manager, you will lead the design process across multiple project stages, working closely with Project Directors, client representatives, design consultants and wider project teams. You will be responsible for managing complexities across consent, design coordination, early contractor involvement and technical risk to ensure high-quality, compliant and deliverable design solutions.
You will be a key technical partner to major clients, contributing to project definition, feasibility, design management frameworks, briefing, procurement strategy and overall project governance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the design process across feasibility, concept, developed and detailed design phases.
- Provide strong technical and architectural/design management expertise across multidisciplinary teams.
- Develop, manage and maintain project documentation, design programmes, workflows and reporting structures.
- Facilitate and chair design coordination meetings, resolving complex technical challenges.
- Work closely with client-side stakeholders including government agencies, private developers, design teams, iwi partners, contractors, councils and regulatory authorities.
- Oversee consenting strategies and mitigate design-related risk throughout pre-construction.
- Contribute to project procurement strategies, tender evaluations and early contractor involvement.
- Support Project Directors with governance, reporting and client engagement.
- A background in architecture, design management or engineering, ideally with experience in large, complex projects.
- Proven capability delivering major capital projects across sectors such as healthcare, education or commercial.
- Significant experience across the full design lifecycle from project initiation to detailed design.
- Expertise in complex, multidisciplinary design coordination and technical problem solving.
- Strong knowledge of New Zealand building codes, regulations and consenting pathways (New Zealand experience is a must)
- Ability to manage senior stakeholders, consultants and large design teams with confidence and clarity.
- Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, solutions-focused approach.
- Play a pivotal role in delivering nationally significant projects that improve public and community infrastructure.
- Work within a respected consultancy known for its pre-construction expertise and senior technical leadership.
- Engage with a diverse range of major clients across both the public and private sectors.
- Competitive remuneration and long-term opportunities for progression at senior advisory level.
For a confidential conversation, contact Olivia Langford-Lee 027 2560620 or via email olivial@assemblerecruit.com
