Design Manager - Services

We are on the lookout for the best talent across NZ to join our Southbase team. Southbase Group are 100% NZ owned and proud of it!

Are you ready to go to the next level with your career?

Creating a strong and positive legacy in the construction industry matters to us. That means developming a culture where our people can continually grow, learn and thrive. By joining Southbase Group, you'll be part of a team that is passionate about challenging traditional construction norms and running projects that bring enjoyment and control to the client experience. Our team of professional engineers, architects, and BIM Managers intimately understand the design process and work to bring all parties onto the same side of the table. With a comprehensive range of design management services that can be customized according to individual client and project needs, you'll have the opportunity to work on diverse and exciting projects that make a real impact.

About the role:
The Design Manager is responsible for managing the design process, with a focus on client brief, budget, and buildability, to ensure the optimum solution is arrived at. They provide leadership to the design team and closely manage the client and stakeholder expectations. Through their exceptional understanding of the design process across all disciplines they will manage discipline interfaces and the sequencing of design activities. The Southbase Design & Digital team consists of professionals from diverse technical backgrounds, who support each other collaboratively in project delivery. This means the Design Manager will be a specialist in one technical discipline such that they can; lead technical design reviews of consultant’s documents relating to this discipline, or support with resolving technical issues relating to this discipline on projects being led by other design managers. The Design Manager will ideally hold or be working towards a Professional Accreditation such as CPEng or Architectural Registration. As a pivotal member of the Pre-Construction team, the Design Manager must lead by example and positively contribute to the team, championing the Company’s ‘Inside the Box’ culture, providing day-to-day guidance and mentoring of team members, whilst directly and indirectly contributing to day-to-day delivery, competitive strategy and net margin target achievement. The Design Manager (Services) will be a specialist in the Building Services disciplines. This role will be focused on technical complex projects and will as required follow these projects from design through to onsite to support; the sub-contractor resolution of design, design coordination and take a lead role in the planning for and management of the commissioning process.

We are looking for Design Managers to join us in Christchurch!



Degree Qualified in Architecture / Engineering
Professional Qualification (Architectural Registration or Chartered Professional Engineer) is desirable
Experience: 6-10+ years as a Building Services Engineer in commercial construction on complex projects including commissioning
Commercial Acumen: Able to drive viable design solutions which are lowest cost. Able to deliver professional services within given scope and fee constraints and assist in the resolution of scope changes or variations where required.
BIM: Competent in the use of Revit or Revizto (for review and coordination purposes)
Communication Skills: Ability to work collaboratively with professionals from diverse technical backgrounds, facilitating knowledge sharing and supporting project delivery.
Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to tackle design challenges with innovative solutions.