Design Manager - Developer - Tauranga

This is a role with real ownership and influence.
You won’t be sitting on the sidelines reviewing drawings or simply coordinating documentation. You’ll be at the centre of the development process – challenging design where necessary, driving consultants, navigating consenting, solving problems and making sure what leaves the design office works commercially and practically when it reaches site.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the CEO, you’ll take ownership of the design programme across development projects and become the critical link between the architectural and construction teams.
Your remit will span the full journey from early concept and feasibility through consenting and into construction.
You’ll:

• Own and drive the design programme and key project milestones
• Lead architects, engineers and external consultants to deliver
• Challenge designs from a buildability, programme and commercial perspective
• Identify clashes, gaps and potential construction issues before they reach site
• Take ownership of resource and building consent processes
• Build strong relationships with council and drive approvals
• Work alongside Project Managers and Site Managers throughout construction
• Lead the resolution of design issues, RFIs and technical challenges
• Contribute to value engineering and smarter construction solutions
• Advise the CEO on design, consenting, programme and project risk

This is about much more than producing good design. It's about delivering good buildings.

Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone with enough experience to walk into a room with architects, engineers, council, contractors or senior management and confidently drive the conversation.
You could have built your career in architecture, architectural technology, construction or development.
What matters is that you understand the entire process.
You know what good documentation looks like.
You understand construction sequencing and buildability.
You can spot a problem in a drawing before it becomes a problem on site.
And when consultants, council or design decisions threaten the programme, you're comfortable stepping in and getting things moving again.
You'll ideally bring:

• Significant architectural documentation and project coordination experience
• Strong construction and buildability knowledge
• Proven experience driving complex design programmes
• Experience managing architects, engineers and specialist consultants
• Strong understanding of NZ building and resource consent processes
• Confidence dealing directly with councils
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of development feasibility
• The ability to balance design quality with cost, programme and practical delivery

Just as importantly, you’ll be decisive, commercially minded and pragmatic.
We don't need someone who simply identifies problems.
We want someone who gets them resolved.

Why Make the Move?
For the right person, this is an opportunity to move beyond being responsible for just one part of a project.
You'll have visibility and influence across the whole development lifecycle.
You'll work directly with the CEO and senior project team, have the autonomy to drive outcomes and see the decisions you make translate into completed developments.
There’s scope to challenge how things have traditionally been done, reuse proven solutions, improve design efficiencies and have a meaningful impact on how future projects are delivered.
If you're currently in a senior architectural, design management or construction role and feel ready for more ownership, greater commercial exposure and a seat closer to where the decisions are made, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.
Salary - Negotiable  circa $200K plus benefits 

Harper Smith Recruitment Ltd is a technical recruitment company specialising in the search, selection and recruitment of professionals within Construction and Engineering.