Design Manager

About Us

Kapitol is an innovation-driven construction company based in Melbourne set to outpace and disrupt the industry. As one of Australia's fastest-growing design and construct enterprises, we proudly combine a fresh approach with decades of expertise.

The result is smarter, safer, more agile building solutions, coupled with a diverse portfolio including commercial, residential, education and high-tech industrial projects.

We're driven by our core values Supportive, Authentic, Inspirational, Driven and Customer-Centric, and we're looking for a talented Design Manager to join our high-performing team.

The Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of one of Australia's largest Build-to-Rent developments.

Based on-site in Melbourne's Docklands precinct, you'll join an experienced and collaborative project team delivering Stage 2 of District Living, a landmark $450M B2R precinct that will ultimately provide 900+ apartments across two stages. Stage One, comprising 626 apartments, is currently under construction and has established many of the systems, processes and design learnings that will support the successful delivery of Stage Two.

You'll join a well-established project team with significant residential delivery experience and a highly collaborative design function, providing the knowledge, systems and relationships needed to successfully deliver a landmark project.

This is a predominantly site office-based role, allowing you to work closely with project delivery teams, consultants and stakeholders while influencing design outcomes in a live construction environment.

This project features premium architectural design, high-quality resident amenities and a long-term ownership model, showcasing the evolving future of residential living in Australia.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Senior Design Manager, the Design Manager sits at the heart of the project team, bridging design, digital engineering and construction to ensure high-quality, compliant and buildable outcomes.

You will oversee and manage all design-related aspects of the project from design development through to IFC and construction delivery, working closely with the Senior Design Manager, Project Manager, Digital Engineering team, consultants and key stakeholders to achieve exceptional outcomes.

Key Responsibilities;

• Lead and coordinate all design activities from design development through to IFC and construction
• Drive alignment between design deliverables and construction milestones
• Work closely with the Project Manager, site team and consultants to proactively manage design risks, opportunities and project outcomes
• Manage consultant teams and key project stakeholders throughout the design process
• Ensure design documentation meets project requirements, Australian Standards and statutory approval requirements
• Collaborate closely with Digital Engineering teams to optimise BIM and design coordination outcomes
• Identify and resolve design coordination, buildability and compliance issues
• Manage the effective handover of coordinated design information to project delivery teams
• Foster strong relationships across consultants, subcontractors and internal stakeholders

About You

• Relevant qualification in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or a related built environment discipline
• Proven Design Management experience delivering large-scale residential, mixed-use or complex commercial projects
• Experience working for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 head contractor within the building construction sector
• Strong understanding of design coordination, consultant management and project delivery
• Experience managing projects from design development through to construction delivery
• Strong understanding of Australian codes, standards and approval processes
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Passion for design excellence and delivering high-quality built outcomes

Why Kapitol?

At Kapitol, we are redefining construction through innovation, technology and an uncompromising commitment to excellence.

• Ranked Australia's #1 builder in Hubexo's 2026 Construction League Report
• The opportunity to work on one of Australia's largest Build to Rent developments
• Exposure to a landmark $450M Build to Rent precinct delivering 900+ apartments across two stages
• Work alongside an industry-leading Digital Engineering function, leveraging advanced design coordination, 4D sequencing and prefabrication methodologies to deliver complex projects
• A highly collaborative and forward-thinking culture with strong cross-functional collaboration across design, project delivery and digital engineering
• Access to innovative health and wellbeing initiatives, including Kapitol's partnership with preventative health provider Everlab
• Join a business that embraces a lessons learned culture, continuously improving the way we design, plan and deliver projects
• Career development opportunities within one of Australia's fastest-growing construction companies

To learn more about Kapitol and the work we do, visit our website to download our Capability Statement. You can also follow our LinkedIn page, where we regularly share project highlights, company updates and insights from across the business.

If you're interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Katie Fendyk E: katie.fendyk@kapitol.com to express your interest or for a confidential discussion.