Senior Design Operations Manager

JOB SUMMARY

We’re looking for a hands-on Senior Design Operations Manager who can bring structure, speed, and quality to our design process while setting up systems that reduce firefighting and margin erosion. This is not a strategy-only role. You’ll be in the trenches, enforcing standards, catching errors before clients do, and supporting cross-functional collaboration between designers, PMs, QS, and vendors.

This is a builder role for someone who thrives under pressure, understands design deeply, and knows how to operationalize creative teams for consistency, speed, and profit.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES

Design Project Delivery

• Oversee and QA all design deliverables (drawings, presentations, BOQs) before client submission or internal use.
• Ensure every project has a clear design-to-fit-out pipeline with milestones, handovers, and sign-offs.
• Own the “Zero Rework” Agenda — reduce revisions due to internal errors or misalignment.

Standardization & Templates

• Build a library of reusable space typologies (workstations, reception, meeting rooms, etc.)
• Roll out “Design Kits” for 70–80% of repeatable design scope.
• Implement modular design blocks to reduce repetitive work and increase speed.

Process & Efficiency

• Establish clear SOPs for:
• Internal reviews
• Client feedback cycles
• Sign-off protocols
• Drawings to procurement/BOQ flow
• Track and reduce time between concept approval → IFC drawings → project kickoff.
• Collaborate with procurement and QS early to control spec bloat and margin slippage.

Team Coaching & Coordination

• Directly manage and mentor lead designers and outsourced design partners.
• Partner with PMs to improve design–build coordination.
• Conduct design post-mortems with project teams to distill learnings and improve workflows.

Design Governance & Compliance

• Enforce brand standards, client-specific guidelines, and drawing quality across all projects.
• Catch and prevent discrepancies before they reach the site or client review.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or related field (MSc is a plus).
• 7+ years in design execution, project coordination, or technical architecture.
• Experience managing design output for commercial fit-out projects, not just high-end homes.
• Strong working knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, and drawing review standards.
• Has overseen at least 10 commercial projects from design through to build.
• Bonus: Experience working in or managing hybrid (in-house and outsourced) design teams.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

• Execution-Oriented — gets things done under pressure without sacrificing quality.
• Process-Minded — can document, optimize, and scale workflows.
• Detail-Focused — obsessive about accuracy in drawings, measurements, and specs.
• Cross-Functional Communicator — speaks the language of design, PM, QS, and vendor teams.
• Mentorship-Ready — can grow junior designers, enforce structure, and build accountability.
• Respected by Vendors — knows how to partner, not just manage.
• Commercially Fluent — understands how design decisions affect cost, time, and margins