Job Title
Design Manager
Job Description Summary
We are seeking a highly organized and creative Design Manager to lead commercial office fit-out projects from concept through to handover. This role bridges creative vision and technical execution, ensuring that workplace designs are aesthetically compelling, functionally efficient, compliant, and delivered within budget and timelines. You will lead the design process, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, and ensure alignment with client brand, workplace strategy, and project objectives.
Job Description
About the Role:
- Lead end-to-end design development from concept to IFC (Issued for Construction)
- Drive innovative workplace solutions aligned to evolving office trends (hybrid working, flexibility, sustainability)
- Ensure optimal space planning, design efficiency, and user experience
- Manage the full design lifecycle: Concept → Schematic → Detailed Design → GFC
- Oversee preparation of layouts, 3D visualizations, technical drawings, and material specifications
- Ensure adherence to design timelines and milestone deliverables
- Act as the primary design interface for clients
- Conduct design presentations and workshops with senior stakeholders (including CXOs)
- Liaise with landlords, PMs, contractors, and consultants to obtain approvals
- Coordinate closely with: Architect, MEP / AV / IT consultants Project execution teams
- Ensure fully coordinated, clash-free drawings
- Review and approve all technical design packages
- Work with Cost/QS teams to align design with project budgets
- Provide value engineering options without compromising quality or design intent
- Support procurement and material selection decisions
- Ensure all designs meet: Local building codes and statutory requirements, Fire & life safety standards, Sustainability certifications (LEED/BREEAM, where applicable)
- Maintain adherence to client and organizational design standards
- Conduct periodic site visits during construction
- Ensure design intent is maintained during execution
- Resolve site-related design issues proactively
About You:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture / Interior Design
- Having experience in commercial office fit-outs
- Prior experience in a lead designer / design manager role preferred
- Strong portfolio of corporate workplace projects
- Proficiency in: AutoCAD, Revit (BIM), SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite
- Experience with rendering tools (Enscape / V-Ray – preferred)
- Strong understanding of MEP coordination and detailing
- Strong client-facing and presentation skills
- Ability to “sell” design concepts to senior stakeholders
- Excellent coordination and conflict-resolution capability
- High attention to detail and problem-solving mindset
- Ability to manage multiple fast-track projects
- Design Accuracy: Minimal revisions during execution due to design gaps
- Timeline Adherence: On-time delivery of all design stages
- Client Satisfaction: Positive feedback on functionality and aesthetics
- Budget Compliance: Design delivered within cost benchmarks.
Why join Cushman & Wakefield?
As one of the leading global real estate services firms transforming the way people work, shop and live working at Cushman & Wakefield means you will benefit from;
- Being part of a growing global company;
- Career development and a promote from within culture;
- An organisation committed to Diversity and Inclusion
We're committed to providing work-life balance for our people in an inclusive, rewarding environment.
We achieve this by providing a flexible and agile work environment by focusing on technology and autonomy to help our people achieve their career ambitions. We focus on career progression and foster a promotion from within culture, leveraging global opportunities to ensure we retain our top talent. We encourage continuous learning and development opportunities to develop personal, professional and technical capabilities, and we reward with a comprehensive employee benefits program.
We have a vision of the future, where people simply belong.
That's why we support and celebrate inclusive causes, not just on days of recognition throughout the year, but every day. We embrace diversity across race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or persons with disabilities or protected veteran status.
We ensure DEI is part of our DNA as a global community - it means we go way beyond than just talking about it - we live it. If you want to live it too, join us.
INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”
