Design Manager

Established in 1987, DCOH is an experienced construction and development company operating across residential, commercial, hospitality and real estate sectors.

We have a strong track record delivering complex projects, including award winning work such as the Charles Darwin University Danala Education and Community Precinct, recognised with a 2025 National Master Builders Award of Excellence.

With operations in both the Northern Territory and Victoria, we deliver high quality projects with a clear focus on buildability, programme certainty and strong on-site execution.

Driven by a commitment to Building Better, DCOH combines experience, innovation and disciplined execution creating lasting value for our clients, partners and the communities we serve.

Who You Are

This Darwin-based role will suit a highly capable Design Manager who brings strategic leadership, technical excellence, and commercial awareness to the delivery of complex construction projects across all phases.

• Tertiary qualification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline
• 8–12+ years’ experience in design management within construction or major projects environments
• Proven experience leading end‑to‑end design delivery from concept through construction and handover on large‑scale projects
• Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate complex, multi‑disciplinary design teams and consultants
• Strong understanding of construction methodology, sequencing, procurement strategies, and commercial drivers
• Expert knowledge of NCC/BCA, Australian Standards, statutory approval processes, and authority requirements
• Confident design leader with experience establishing and maintaining design management frameworks, plans, and review gateways
• High capability in coordinating architectural, structural, civil, and services designs into compliant, buildable, and construction‑ready outcomes
• Commercially astute, with a proactive approach to risk management, value engineering, cost alignment, and design‑related variations
• Highly organised people leader with strong stakeholder engagement skills, disciplined documentation and QA practices, and proficiency in industry‑standard document control platforms (e.g. Aconex, Revizto, Bluebeam)

• Lead the design process across all project phases, from concept development through construction and handover
• Define and implement project‑specific Design Management Plans, clearly establishing scope, responsibilities, deliverables, and review gateways
• Set and maintain a consistent Design Management framework aligned with DCOH standards and project objectives
• Provide strategic design leadership aligned with construction methodology, sequencing, procurement strategy, programme, and commercial outcomes
• Coordinate architectural, structural, civil, and building services disciplines into fully integrated and buildable design solutions
• Develop, manage, and control design programmes to meet approval milestones, issue dates, and construction readiness requirements
• Review and authorise design documentation to ensure technical accuracy, coordination, and contractual compliance
• Identify, assess, and manage design‑related risks and opportunities to support constructability, safety, and delivery certainty
• Lead the resolution of design issues, RFIs, clashes, and inconsistencies to minimise downstream construction impacts
• Engage, brief, and manage design consultants, driving performance against scope, programme, quality, and fee agreements
• Act as the central point of accountability for all design communications with consultants, project teams, authorities, subcontractors, and clients
• Manage statutory approval processes, including planning changes, staged permits, and occupancy certification
• Ensure compliance with NCC/BCA, Australian Standards, authority requirements, and HSEQ‑in‑Design obligations
• Align design outcomes with budgets, cost plans, value engineering initiatives, and trade packaging strategies
• Oversee design documentation control, quality assurance, and continuous improvement while mentoring and developing design team capability in line with DCOH values

If you are interested in this position, please submit your CV and cover letter which describes who you are and addresses the criteria detailed above.