Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: NSW Department of Education

Location: Eveleigh, NSW, Australia

Job Type: Temporary Full-Time

Category: Design & Infrastructure Management / Operations

Date Posted: 05 August 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years inferred)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Flexible working arrangements available)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the establishment and implementation of a new design validation workstream within School Infrastructure, focusing on capturing lessons learned and project insights.

• Drive continuous improvement across School Infrastructure (SI) by embedding evidence-based enhancements into standards development and governance processes.

• Coordinate design considerations across various SI directorates to ensure alignment with contemporary educational practices and design principles, supporting the evolution of the Educational Facilities Standards and Guidelines (EFSG).

• Develop and present annual reports on EFSG changes, compliance, and improvements to support transparent, data-driven decision-making.

• Provide expert design advice, research, and recommendations to foster innovative, sustainable, and effective school infrastructure outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the NSW Department of Education's School Infrastructure division, specifically focusing on the Design and Infrastructure Standards (DaIS) team. The role of Design Manager is crucial for establishing a formal design validation process, bridging the gap between project delivery and standards evolution. The "Operations" aspect is deeply embedded in the continuous improvement, governance, and standardization functions, requiring a strong operational mindset to manage and refine processes for large-scale infrastructure delivery. The inference of "Mid-Senior Level" is based on the leadership responsibilities, strategic impact, and salary range provided.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Establish and embed robust design validation processes to systematically capture lessons learned, project feedback, and critical insights from infrastructure projects to drive continuous improvement.

• Coordinate and integrate design considerations across multiple School Infrastructure directorates, ensuring cohesive development of the Educational Facilities Standards and Guidelines (EFSG) that align with current educational philosophies and design best practices.

• Develop and disseminate comprehensive annual reports detailing EFSG changes, compliance status, and identified areas for improvement, facilitating transparent and evidence-based strategic decision-making.

• Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with internal business units and external stakeholders to ensure the EFSG remains dynamic, responsive, and relevant to evolving educational and infrastructural needs.

• Deliver expert design advice, conduct thorough research, and formulate actionable recommendations to support the successful delivery of innovative, sustainable, and high-quality school infrastructure projects.

• Manage the governance framework for design standards, ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures while identifying opportunities for streamlining and enhancement.

• Contribute to the strategic planning and development of future educational facility designs, incorporating user feedback and performance data to inform long-term infrastructure strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a strong focus on process management, governance, and strategic alignment within a large public sector organization. The role requires not just design expertise but also the operational capability to manage a feedback loop, ensure compliance, and influence strategic direction through data and insights. The emphasis on "embedding" processes and "coordinating" across directorates points to a need for strong operational leadership and change management skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Architecture, Design, Construction, or a related built environment discipline.

Experience:

• Proven experience in design, architecture, construction, or a related built environment field.

• Demonstrated program or project management expertise, with a track record of delivering complex outcomes within defined timelines and budgets.

• Experience in establishing and managing operational processes, particularly those related to feedback loops, continuous improvement, or standards development. Required Skills:

• Design Management: Expertise in overseeing and guiding design processes, ensuring alignment with project objectives and organizational standards.

• Program/Project Management: Strong capabilities in planning, executing, and monitoring complex initiatives, managing resources, risks, and deliverables.

• Governance Frameworks: Ability to develop, implement, and maintain governance structures for design standards and project delivery, ensuring compliance and accountability.

• Stakeholder Management: Proficient in building and maintaining effective relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders, facilitating collaboration and achieving consensus.

• Infrastructure Planning: Understanding of the principles and processes involved in planning and delivering large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly in an educational context.

• Design Validation & Continuous Improvement: Experience in establishing processes for capturing lessons learned, feedback, and project insights to drive iterative improvements in design and delivery.

• Reporting & Analytics: Ability to develop and present clear, concise reports on performance, compliance, and recommendations, utilizing data to support decision-making.

• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to contribute to long-term planning and strategy development for educational facilities, informed by current trends and project outcomes.

Preferred Skills:

• Public Sector Experience: Prior experience working within government or public sector organizations, understanding their unique operational and governance structures.

• Knowledge of Educational Facility Standards: Familiarity with educational facility design principles and guidelines, such as the EFSG.

• Experience with Aboriginal Education Policy: Understanding of and commitment to implementing policies related to Aboriginal education and partnership agreements.

• Change Management: Ability to lead and manage change initiatives within a large organizational context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "establishing and embedding" processes, "coordinating across directorates," and "reporting on EFSG changes" strongly suggests the need for operational expertise beyond pure design. The role requires someone who can operationalize standards, manage workflows, and ensure data-driven improvements, making skills in process optimization, governance, and reporting highly valuable. The "5-10 years" experience level is inferred from the salary range and the responsibility of managing a new workstream and influencing standards.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Process Improvement Case Studies: Demonstrate instances where you have identified inefficiencies in design or project delivery processes and implemented solutions that led to measurable improvements in outcomes, timelines, or cost-effectiveness.

• Standards Development & Implementation: Showcase examples of your involvement in developing, refining, or implementing design standards, guidelines, or frameworks, particularly within large organizations or complex projects. Highlight your role in ensuring these standards were adopted and followed.

• Governance & Compliance Documentation: Provide examples of how you have managed or contributed to governance frameworks, compliance reporting, or audit processes related to design and construction projects.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Include evidence of successful collaboration with diverse stakeholders, illustrating how you managed competing interests, facilitated consensus, and communicated complex design or process information effectively.

• Reporting & Analysis Examples: Present samples of reports or analyses you have prepared that informed strategic decisions, highlighted project performance, or recommended improvements within a built environment or infrastructure context.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Detail your experience in mapping, analyzing, and redesigning workflows related to design review, feedback collection, standards updates, or project issue resolution.

• Implementation & Automation: Describe how you have overseen the implementation of new processes or systems, or utilized technology to automate aspects of design management, reporting, or compliance.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Outline your approach to defining key performance indicators (KPIs) for design processes, collecting performance data, and analyzing results to identify trends and areas for enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on establishing a "design validation workstream" and embedding "lessons learned" into standards, a portfolio demonstrating practical application of process management, continuous improvement methodologies, and governance is critical. The emphasis on capturing feedback and ensuring evidence-based improvements requires candidates to showcase their ability to document, analyze, and operationalize insights.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $154,231 - $178,369 AUD per annum, plus superannuation and leave loading.

Benefits:

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Ability to balance work and personal life with options for flexible scheduling.

• 35-Hour Working Week: A standard, potentially shorter, work week contributing to work-life balance.

• Salary Sacrificing: Opportunity to reduce taxable income by sacrificing salary for certain benefits.

• Employer Superannuation Contribution: Generous contributions to retirement savings beyond the statutory minimum.

• Annual Leave Loading: An additional payment made when annual leave is taken, typically a percentage of the base rate.

• Flex Leave Entitlements: Additional leave benefits that provide flexibility beyond standard annual leave.

• Generous Holidays & Leave Conditions: Comprehensive provisions for public holidays, annual leave, and other leave types.

• Opportunities for Advancement & Mobility: Potential for career growth and movement within the broader Department of Education.

Working Hours: 35 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements available.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a key indicator of the role's seniority and scope. The listed benefits are typical for public sector roles in Australia, emphasizing work-life balance and employee well-being. The "35 hour working week" is a specific detail that contributes to the overall compensation package. The salary estimate is based directly on the provided figures.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government & Public Sector (Education Infrastructure)

Company Size: Large (NSW Department of Education is a major government department with thousands of employees across various sectors). This scale implies robust but potentially complex operational processes and a wide range of stakeholders.

Founded: The NSW Department of Education has a long history, with School Infrastructure being a significant initiative focused on modernizing educational facilities. This history suggests a culture that balances established practices with a drive for innovation and improvement.

Team Structure:

• The Design and Infrastructure Standards (DaIS) team is a multidisciplinary unit within School Infrastructure.

• It operates within a larger departmental structure, necessitating collaboration with various directorates responsible for planning, delivery, and operations of school facilities.

• The Design Manager will likely report to a senior manager within the DaIS team or a broader infrastructure leadership role, with direct interaction with project teams and educational stakeholders. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The role emphasizes establishing processes for capturing and using "lessons learned" and "project feedback" to inform standards and decision-making.

• Continuous Improvement: A core function is to embed "continuous improvement" across the organization through structured validation and feedback mechanisms.

• Standards Development & Governance: The team is responsible for driving and maintaining design standards (EFSG), requiring a methodical approach to policy and guideline management.

• Collaborative Design: The role requires coordinating design considerations across multiple teams, highlighting a collaborative and integrated approach to infrastructure development.

Company Website: https://education.nsw.gov.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of a large public sector department like the NSW Department of Education implies a culture that values service delivery, compliance, and long-term strategic impact. The School Infrastructure initiative signals a commitment to modernization and investment. The DaIS team's role is to ensure that this large-scale investment is guided by robust standards and informed by practical experience, requiring a blend of technical expertise and strong operational management.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a significant step into a leadership position focused on operationalizing design standards and driving organizational improvement within a critical public infrastructure program. It's a strategic role that bridges technical design with operational effectiveness and governance.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will report to a senior leader within the School Infrastructure division, likely overseeing the Design and Infrastructure Standards (DaIS) team. They will collaborate closely with project managers, design professionals, and operational leads across various directorates.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager has a direct impact on the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of school infrastructure delivery across NSW. By establishing robust validation processes and ensuring standards evolve based on real-world feedback, this role influences long-term asset performance, educational outcomes, and fiscal responsibility in public spending.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Standards Development: Potential to become a subject matter expert and lead the evolution of design standards for educational facilities across NSW.

• Transition to Program Management: The experience gained in managing a new workstream and influencing large-scale delivery can lead to roles in broader program or project leadership within School Infrastructure.

• Specialization in Built Environment Operations: Opportunity to deepen expertise in the operational aspects of large-scale infrastructure management, focusing on process optimization, governance, and risk management.

• Cross-Departmental Mobility: The Department of Education offers a wide range of roles, and success in this position could open doors to other strategic or operational leadership positions within the organization.

• Public Sector Leadership: Develop a career path in public sector management, contributing to policy implementation and service delivery on a significant scale.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is not just about design management; it's about managing the operations of design standards and continuous improvement. The growth potential lies in leveraging this operational insight to influence broader infrastructure strategy and leadership within the public sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Eveleigh, NSW, with flexible working arrangements available, suggesting a hybrid work model. This implies a mix of in-office collaboration and remote work.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Eveleigh, NSW 2015, which is a hub for government and corporate offices in Sydney. This location offers accessibility within the Sydney metropolitan area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The need to coordinate across directorates and build relationships suggests a workspace designed for collaboration, likely with meeting rooms and shared spaces.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard office technology, project management software, and potentially specialized design and infrastructure management tools will be available.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with the DaIS team, project teams, and senior leadership to discuss design validation, standards, and strategic initiatives.

Work Schedule: A standard 35-hour work week is specified, with the flexibility to manage hours around core operational needs and project deadlines. This schedule supports a structured yet adaptable approach to managing design validation and reporting activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "hybrid" work arrangement, inferred from "flexible working arrangements," is a key aspect for operations roles, allowing for focused individual work and collaborative team engagement. The specific location in Eveleigh positions the role within a significant government precinct.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Assessment of resume and cover letter for alignment with essential requirements, experience, and demonstrated understanding of design validation and project management.

• Screening Interview: A preliminary discussion, likely with HR or a hiring manager, to assess fundamental qualifications, motivations, and understanding of the role's operational aspects.

• Formal Interview Panel: This will likely involve a panel including the hiring manager (Lucy Shepherd), potentially other DaIS team members, and a senior leader. Expect questions focused on:

  • Process Design & Implementation: How you would establish the design validation workstream, including methodologies for capturing lessons learned and feedback.
  • Stakeholder Management & Collaboration: Scenarios demonstrating how you would coordinate across directorates and influence stakeholders.
  • Strategic Contribution: Your vision for evolving EFSG and your approach to evidence-based decision-making.
  • Problem-Solving & Technical Expertise: Situational questions related to design challenges, compliance, and governance in infrastructure projects.

• Potential Assessment Task: A case study or presentation focusing on developing a framework for design validation or analyzing a hypothetical infrastructure project's feedback to propose improvements.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process & Impact: Your portfolio should clearly demonstrate your ability to manage processes, implement improvements, and achieve tangible results. Highlight your role in operationalizing design standards and feedback mechanisms.

• Showcase Governance Experience: Include examples of how you have worked within or developed governance frameworks, managed compliance, and contributed to reporting.

• Quantify Achievements: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., reduction in RFI's, improvement in design cycle time, successful implementation of new standards).

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experience relevant to infrastructure, public sector, and continuous improvement. Clearly articulate your understanding of the NSW Department of Education's mission and the EFSG.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project or by skill area, with clear descriptions of your responsibilities and the outcomes achieved.

Challenge Preparation:

• Framework Development: Be prepared to discuss how you would design a framework for design validation, including data collection methods, analysis tools, and reporting mechanisms.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Practice articulating how you would gain buy-in from various departments and manage potential resistance to new processes.

• EFSG Evolution: Think about how you would approach updating and improving the EFSG, considering educational trends, user needs, and practical delivery constraints.

• Public Sector Context: Understand the nuances of working within a large government department, including procurement processes, policy adherence, and public accountability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "selection process will include a range of assessment techniques" and the request for a resume and cover letter with specific page limits suggests a structured, multi-stage interview process. The portfolio review will likely be a key component, focusing on demonstrated operational capabilities in design management and process improvement.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency with tools like Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello, or similar platforms for managing project timelines, tasks, and resources.

• Design Software (Familiarity): While not a hands-on design role, familiarity with architectural CAD (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit) and BIM (Building Information Modeling) software is beneficial for understanding technical documentation and design processes.

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Google Workspace for communication, document sharing, and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Experience with tools like Microsoft Excel (advanced functions, pivot tables), potentially Power BI, Tableau, or similar for data analysis, trend identification, and report generation.

• Reporting Software: Ability to use reporting features within project management or dedicated reporting tools to create clear, actionable reports on EFSG compliance and design validation outcomes.

CRM & Automation:

• Document Management Systems: Experience with systems for organizing, storing, and retrieving project documentation, standards, and feedback.

• Workflow Automation (Potential): Familiarity with tools or concepts for automating repetitive tasks within the design validation or standards update process would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly listed, a Design Manager in this context would benefit from understanding the tools used in architecture, construction, and project management. The emphasis on reporting and data analysis points to the need for proficiency in analytical and visualization tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Public Service: A commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable, and effective educational facilities for the students of NSW.

• Continuous Improvement: A proactive mindset focused on learning from experience, refining processes, and enhancing standards to achieve better outcomes.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Valuing strong working relationships across teams and with external stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• Evidence-Based Decision Making: A reliance on data, feedback, and analysis to inform strategic choices and operational adjustments.

• Accountability & Governance: Upholding high standards of integrity, transparency, and compliance in all aspects of work.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires actively engaging with various departments (e.g., curriculum, facilities management, finance) to ensure design standards meet diverse needs and operational realities.

• Process Review & Feedback Culture: Fostering an environment where feedback on design and processes is encouraged, documented, and acted upon.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting the sharing of insights and best practices across teams to build collective expertise in infrastructure delivery and design innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Department of Education's values, particularly around service delivery, equity, and continuous improvement, will heavily influence the team's culture. The Design Manager's role is to embody and promote these values through their operational approach to design standards and validation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing a New Workstream: The primary challenge will be to define, build, and embed a new design validation process from the ground up within a large, established organization.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Balancing the requirements and expectations of various educational stakeholders, project teams, and senior leadership to ensure design standards are practical and widely accepted.

• Data Collection & Analysis: Developing effective methods for consistently capturing meaningful data and insights from a large volume of projects to inform standards updates.

• Driving Change: Overcoming potential resistance to new processes or changes in established design practices and influencing adoption across different teams.

• Keeping Pace with Evolution: Ensuring the EFSG remains current with rapidly evolving educational pedagogies, technological advancements, and sustainability practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Process Design & Management: Deepen expertise in methodologies for operationalizing continuous improvement and governance within large-scale public sector projects.

• Strategic Infrastructure Planning: Gain exposure to the broader strategic planning and investment decisions for educational infrastructure across NSW.

• Leadership Development: Enhance skills in team leadership, stakeholder influence, and strategic communication within a government context.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Potential to attend relevant industry events focused on educational design, infrastructure management, or public sector operations.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior leaders within the Department of Education and gain insights into public sector career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for roles focused on establishing operational frameworks within large organizations. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing leadership within the public sector infrastructure domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to establishing a new design validation workstream from scratch. What would be your first steps, and how would you ensure its long-term success and integration into existing processes?"

• "How would you balance the diverse needs of various stakeholders (e.g., teachers, administrators, project managers, senior leadership) when developing or updating design standards like the EFSG?"

• "Imagine a project delivered significant negative feedback regarding its design practicality. How would you analyze this feedback, and what process would you follow to translate it into actionable improvements for the EFSG?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you understand about the NSW Department of Education's mission, and how would your role as Design Manager contribute to achieving it?"

• "Describe a time you had to influence colleagues or stakeholders to adopt a new process or change their approach. How did you manage potential resistance?"

• "How do you ensure that data and evidence are used effectively to drive decision-making in a complex organizational environment?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio piece, clearly articulate the problem, your specific actions (focusing on process and operational steps), and the measurable outcomes.

• Highlight Process Design: Emphasize your ability to design, implement, and refine operational processes, especially those related to feedback, standards, and continuous improvement.

• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify the results of your work whenever possible. For example, "Implemented a new design review checklist that reduced design revisions by 15%."

• Showcase Collaboration: Explain how you worked with different teams and stakeholders to achieve project goals, illustrating your communication and negotiation skills.

• Connect to the Role: Explicitly link your experience to the requirements of the Design Manager role, demonstrating how your past successes translate to future contributions to the NSW Department of Education.

Challenge Preparation:

• Framework Design: Be ready to sketch out a high-level framework for design validation, including key components like feedback mechanisms, data analysis, and reporting channels.

• Stakeholder Mapping: Practice identifying key stakeholders and strategizing how to engage them effectively for input and buy-in.

• EFSG Analysis: Consider current trends in educational design (e.g., flexible learning spaces, sustainability, technology integration) and how they might inform EFSG updates.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely focus on operationalizing design, managing complex stakeholder environments, and driving continuous improvement within a public sector context. Portfolio preparation should highlight these specific skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided 'Apply Now' link on the careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume (maximum 5 pages) clearly highlights your experience in design management, project/program management, process improvement, governance, and stakeholder engagement, using keywords from the job description. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) that directly addresses the "About You" and "Essential Requirements" sections. Articulate how your experience and skills align with the primary purpose of the role and the NSW Department of Education's values, focusing on your ability to establish and manage operational processes for design validation.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects or examples that best demonstrate your experience in process design, implementation, continuous improvement, and governance within built environment or infrastructure projects. Be ready to discuss these in detail.

• Research the Department: Familiarize yourself with the NSW Department of Education's mission, the School Infrastructure initiative, and the role of the EFSG. Understand the importance of public education and the department's commitment to Aboriginal Education Policy.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare to discuss your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), focusing on operational aspects of design management and process improvement. Be ready to articulate your strategy for building the design validation workstream.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.