Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: Fulton Hogan

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Operations Management / Design Management

Date Posted: 2026-09-09

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage design functions for critical water and other infrastructure projects, ensuring seamless integration between tender and delivery phases.

• Collaborate closely with regional operations teams and site personnel to translate practical, ground-level input into buildable and compliant design solutions.

• Oversee design programmes, deliverables, and consultant coordination, ensuring alignment with project timelines, budgets, and client expectations.

• Support bid teams with innovative design strategies and value engineering, directly influencing commercial decision-making and successful bid submissions.

• Act as a key interface between consultants, clients, and site crews in a flat, collaborative, and fast-paced contracting environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the Contracting division, emphasizing a hands-on approach to design management that bridges the gap between pre-contract strategy and operational execution. The focus is on practical, buildable designs informed by site realities, differentiating it from purely conceptual design roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary design teams and consultants for Design & Construct (D&C) of critical water and infrastructure projects.

• Define project scopes, temporary works, and commercial arrangements within established budgets and delegation limits.

• Oversee design programmes and deliverables, ensuring constructability, methodology, and staging are fully integrated with input from regional operations teams and partners.

• Manage all peer review requirements across various delivery models, ensuring timely completion of internal/external reviews, approvals, and stakeholder interfaces.

• Engage proactively with clients to support pre-contract requirements and value engineering initiatives, ensuring customer needs are thoroughly understood and met.

• Deliver fully compliant final designs and Issued For Construction (IFC) drawings, meticulously aligned with programme schedules and budgetary constraints.

• Support regional tender and operational teams by contributing to tender strategies, facilitating lessons learned workshops, and ensuring successful bid submissions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a dual focus on both pre-contract (tender support, value engineering) and post-contract (delivery, compliance, stakeholder management) phases. The emphasis on "constructability," "methodology," and "staging" directly links design decisions to operational realities, a key aspect of effective GTM and operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Tertiary qualification in Engineering or a closely related discipline.

Experience: Approximately 10+ years of experience in design management and/or project management within water, roading, or contracting sectors. Proven experience coordinating multi-disciplinary designs for civil infrastructure, ideally with exposure to both design and site operations.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record in Design Management for civil infrastructure projects.

• Expertise in coordinating multi-disciplinary design teams and external consultants.

• Strong understanding of constructability, methodology, and staging in infrastructure projects.

• Ability to interpret and apply contracts, specifications, and design requirements practically.

• Experience supporting tender strategies and value engineering processes.

• Familiarity with current health and safety and environmental legislation.

• Well-developed analytical and negotiation skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative communication skills.

• Proactive, solutions-focused, and adaptable to fast-paced environments. Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience in water infrastructure design and delivery.

• Previous experience within a regional contracting environment.

• Familiarity with Design & Construct (D&C) project delivery models.

• Exposure to commercial decision-making within project frameworks.

• Experience facilitating lessons learned workshops and contributing to bid submissions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "around 10+ years" suggests a mid-to-senior level role. The emphasis on "both design and site exposure" is crucial, highlighting the need for a candidate who can bridge theoretical design with practical on-the-ground execution – a hallmark of effective operations and GTM leadership.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable examples of successfully managed design programmes for significant civil infrastructure projects, showcasing scope definition and delivery.

• Case studies illustrating the integration of constructability, methodology, and staging into design solutions, with clear outcomes linked to operational efficiency.

• Evidence of managing stakeholder interfaces and peer review processes, highlighting timely approvals and effective communication.

• Examples of contributions to tender strategies and value engineering, with quantifiable results such as cost savings or improved buildability.

• Documentation showcasing the delivery of fully compliant final designs and IFC drawings, aligned with programme and budget. Process Documentation:

• Documentation of processes used to define project scopes, temporary works, and commercial arrangements.

• Workflow examples demonstrating how input from regional teams and site personnel is integrated into design development.

• Process maps for managing peer reviews, approvals, and stakeholder engagements throughout the design lifecycle.

• Methodologies for client engagement, value engineering, and ensuring customer requirements are met.

• Protocols for delivering compliant IFC drawings and supporting operational teams during tender and delivery phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific "systems" aren't detailed, the emphasis on "process documentation" and portfolio requirements points towards a need for candidates who can articulate and demonstrate their structured approach to design management, particularly how it impacts project delivery and operational success.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Design Managers with 10+ years of experience in New Zealand's construction and infrastructure sector, the estimated salary range for this role is NZ$120,000 - NZ$160,000 per annum. This estimate considers the seniority of the role, the specialized nature of infrastructure design management, and the cost of living in Auckland.

Benefits:

• Medical insurance (eligibility period applies).

• Life insurance (eligibility period applies).

• KiwiSaver employer contributions (up to 7% after service milestones).

• Parental leave top-up payment with additional return-to-work support.

• Ongoing training and development opportunities.

• Clear career growth and progression pathways within Contracting design leadership.

• Access to a wide range of retail discounts.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, on-site role, typically aligned with standard business hours (approximately 40 hours per week). However, given the nature of project delivery and site interaction, some flexibility may be required to meet project demands and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for senior Design Managers in New Zealand's infrastructure sector. Fulton Hogan's provided benefits are comprehensive and competitive, with specific mention of KiwiSaver contributions and parental leave support, which are significant considerations for professionals in New Zealand.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Construction and Infrastructure. Fulton Hogan is a major player in civil construction, infrastructure development, and materials supply across Australia and New Zealand. Their work spans roads, water, utilities, and building projects, requiring robust operational and design management capabilities.

Company Size: Large enterprise, employing thousands globally. This scale implies structured processes, significant project portfolios, and opportunities for career advancement, while the "regional Contracting division" focus suggests a more agile, hands-on operational unit within the larger organization.

Founded: Established in 1933, Fulton Hogan has a long history and strong reputation in the industry, indicating stability, deep expertise, and established operational methodologies.

Team Structure:

• The role operates within the regional Contracting division, likely comprising project managers, engineers, site supervisors, and bid teams.

• Reporting structure is described as "flat, low-ego," suggesting direct access to senior leadership and a collaborative approach, rather than a rigid hierarchy.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with regular interaction between design teams, regional operations, site crews, consultants, and clients. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Design decisions are informed by practical site input, tender requirements, and value engineering, implying a data-driven approach that considers constructability and commercial viability.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Focus on managing design programmes, ensuring constructability, and integrating site feedback to optimize workflows from tender through to delivery.

• Automation & Efficiency: While not explicitly stated, the drive for efficiency in programme, budget, and constructability suggests an underlying need for streamlined processes and potentially leveraging technology to enhance design and delivery.

Company Website: https://www.fultonhogan.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights Fulton Hogan's established presence and broad scope in infrastructure. The specific mention of the "regional Contracting division" and its "flat, low-ego environment" suggests a culture that values direct contribution and collaboration, which is a key differentiator for operations professionals seeking impactful roles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior-level Design Management role, equivalent to a leadership position within the operations and project delivery functions. It requires significant experience in managing complex projects, leading teams, and influencing strategic decisions related to design and constructability. The role offers a blend of strategic oversight and hands-on involvement, bridging design and operational execution.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will likely report to a senior leader within the Contracting division, such as a General Manager or Operations Director. The "flat, low-ego environment" implies direct access to decision-makers and cross-functional teams, facilitating rapid communication and problem-solving.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager has a direct and substantial impact on operational success by ensuring designs are practical, buildable, and cost-effective. Their work directly influences bid competitiveness, project timelines, budget adherence, and client satisfaction, making it a critical role in achieving the company's GTM and revenue objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in managing large-scale civil infrastructure projects, specifically in water and roading sectors, and to refine skills in design coordination and constructability.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into more senior leadership roles within the Contracting division, managing larger teams, broader project portfolios, or taking on more strategic commercial responsibilities.

• Cross-Disciplinary Transition: For candidates coming from a Consultancy background, this role offers a clear pathway to transition into the Contracting side of the industry, gaining invaluable site and delivery experience. Conversely, for those within Contracting, it provides a route to specialized design leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career growth analysis emphasizes the dual pathways available—deepening expertise within design management or progressing into broader operational leadership. The role's strategic importance in bridging design and execution makes it a key stepping stone for impactful operations careers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in an office environment, likely within a regional hub that supports the Contracting division. This setting is designed for collaborative work, project planning, and administrative tasks related to design management.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Rockridge Avenue, Auckland, New Zealand. This suggests a presence in a key commercial or industrial area within Auckland, offering accessibility for local commuting.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is characterized by a "flat, low-ego environment" and direct collaboration, suggesting an open and interactive office layout conducive to team meetings and discussions.

• Access to relevant design software, project management tools, and communication platforms would be standard for supporting design coordination and project delivery.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with regional operations teams, site crews (potentially through site visits), consultants, and clients are integral to the role, fostering a dynamic and connected work environment.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time, on-site position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. While standard office hours are expected, the nature of infrastructure projects often necessitates flexibility to meet critical deadlines, tender submissions, or urgent operational needs. This may involve occasional work outside of standard hours or site visits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of a "flat, low-ego environment" and the need to be "close to the action" implies an office setting that prioritizes collaboration and accessibility, rather than a purely hierarchical or isolated setup. This is important for operations professionals who thrive on direct interaction and problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and cover letter to assess alignment with experience requirements, particularly in design management and construction delivery.

• Technical Interview: Discussion focused on design management principles, project coordination, constructability, value engineering, and experience with civil infrastructure projects. Candidates may be asked to walk through specific project examples.

• Operations & Collaboration Assessment: Situational questions to gauge problem-solving skills, ability to work with regional teams, manage consultants, and handle client interactions in a fast-paced environment.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability for the role and company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Impact: Showcase projects where your design management directly contributed to successful bid submissions, efficient construction, adherence to budget/programme, and client satisfaction.

• Demonstrate Process: Clearly articulate your process for coordinating multi-disciplinary designs, integrating site feedback, managing consultants, and ensuring constructability. Use flowcharts or diagrams if helpful.

• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., cost savings through value engineering, reduction in design-related site issues, on-time delivery of IFC drawings).

• Showcase Collaboration: Provide examples of how you effectively collaborated with operations teams, site crews, and clients to achieve project goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical design management challenge, such as a tight tender deadline or a significant constructability issue identified late in the design phase.

• Think about how you would balance design compliance with operational realities and commercial constraints.

• Practice articulating your problem-solving approach, emphasizing collaboration and practical solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes a practical, results-oriented approach. Candidates should prepare to discuss specific project examples that demonstrate their ability to translate design into tangible operational success, a key aspect for GTM and operations roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency with industry-standard CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D) and potentially BIM (Building Information Modeling) tools would be beneficial.

• Project Management Software: Experience with platforms like MS Project, Primavera P6, or similar for managing design programmes and project timelines.

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools for document sharing, communication, and workflow management (e.g., Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Procore).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Ability to interpret project financial data and reports to support commercial decision-making.

• Experience in generating or reviewing progress reports related to design deliverables and programme status. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design interfaces with client requirements and tender processes is crucial.

• Familiarity with systems that track project documentation and approvals would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role implies a need for proficiency in standard industry software for design, project management, and collaboration. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with tools that facilitate efficient design coordination and project execution.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Practicality & Buildability: A strong emphasis on designs that are functional, constructible, and efficient on the ground, reflecting a deep understanding of operational realities.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing input from all levels, especially regional operations and site teams, fostering a "low-ego" environment where ideas are shared openly.

• Accountability & Ownership: Empowering individuals to make decisions, take ownership of their work, and drive projects forward in a fast-paced setting.

• Solutions-Focused Approach: Proactive problem-solving and a positive, enthusiastic attitude towards overcoming challenges in project delivery.

• Integrity & Compliance: Commitment to delivering fully compliant designs and adhering to contractual, legislative, and client requirements.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Open: Characterized by a "flat, low-ego environment" allowing for direct communication and quick decision-making across functions.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration between design, pre-contracts, operations, and site teams is fundamental to success.

• Consultative: Actively seeking and incorporating input from consultants, clients, and site crews to ensure designs meet diverse needs and practical constraints.

• Feedback-Driven: Encouraging continuous improvement through lessons learned workshops and open dialogue regarding design and delivery challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture strongly emphasizes practicality, collaboration, and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset. For operations professionals, this means an environment where their input is valued, and their ability to connect design with on-the-ground execution is critical to success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Design & Operations: Effectively translating practical site feedback into design modifications while adhering to tender scope, budget, and programme constraints.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Coordinating diverse needs and expectations from clients, consultants, internal operations teams, and site crews in a dynamic environment.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to the demands of a regional contracting division where decisions need to be made quickly, and projects move rapidly.

• Ensuring Constructability: Proactively identifying and mitigating potential construction challenges early in the design phase to prevent delays and cost overruns.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Project Exposure: Gaining in-depth experience with critical water and infrastructure projects, enhancing expertise in specific design and delivery challenges.

• Operational Acumen: Developing a deeper understanding of the practicalities of civil construction and contract delivery through close collaboration with site teams.

• Leadership Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to hone leadership skills in managing design teams, influencing project direction, and contributing to commercial strategy.

• Industry Best Practices: Exposure to evolving design methodologies, constructability techniques, and project delivery models within a reputable industry leader.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for adaptability and strong problem-solving skills, particularly in bridging the gap between theoretical design and practical execution. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing both technical and leadership capabilities within the infrastructure sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to incorporate significant site feedback into a design that was already in progress. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your collaboration, problem-solving, and ability to adapt designs to operational realities.)

• "How do you ensure a design is not only compliant but also constructible and cost-effective within a tight tender or programme?" (Prepare to discuss your approach to constructability reviews, value engineering, and balancing competing priorities.)

• "Walk us through a project where you managed multiple stakeholders (client, consultants, internal teams) with differing expectations. How did you manage these relationships and ensure alignment?" (Highlight your communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Fulton Hogan's Contracting division, and how do you see yourself contributing to our 'flat, low-ego' environment?" (Research Fulton Hogan's values and recent projects; connect your collaborative style to their culture.)

• "How do you approach continuous improvement and learning in a rapidly evolving industry like infrastructure?" (Discuss your methods for staying updated on legislation, technology, and best practices, and how you facilitate lessons learned.)

• "Describe your experience with managing design functions from tender stage through to delivery. What are the key operational considerations at each phase?" (Emphasize your understanding of the full project lifecycle and the link between design and operational success.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Project Case Studies: Select 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your design management expertise, focusing on those with significant civil infrastructure components. Clearly outline the project scope, your role, the challenges faced, your design solutions, and the resulting impact on construction and operations.

• Quantify Results: Use data and metrics to showcase your achievements (e.g., cost savings, schedule improvements, reduction in RFI's, successful bid contributions).

• Process Visualization: If possible, use simple diagrams or flowcharts to illustrate your design management process, stakeholder engagement, and integration of site feedback.

• Conciseness & Clarity: Be prepared to present your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most impactful aspects relevant to the role's responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a practical, hands-on approach to design management that directly supports operational efficiency and project success. Candidates should be ready to provide concrete examples that showcase their ability to bridge design and construction realities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Fulton Hogan careers portal.

• Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Highlight your experience in design management for civil infrastructure projects, specifically mentioning water or roading projects if applicable. Emphasize your experience coordinating multi-disciplinary designs and your understanding of constructability and site operations.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate examples of your most impactful design management work. Focus on case studies that demonstrate your ability to manage design from tender through to delivery, integrate site feedback, and achieve project objectives within budget and programme.

• Research Fulton Hogan: Familiarize yourself with Fulton Hogan's projects, values, and their Contracting division's approach. Understand their commitment to safety, sustainability, and community.

• Practice Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your experience clearly and concisely, focusing on how your skills and approach align with the requirements of this role and Fulton Hogan's operational culture.

⚠️ 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.