Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: Surbana Jurong Group

Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong S.A.R.

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Design Management & Infrastructure Coordination

Date Posted: 2026-06-23

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary design coordination and integration for major infrastructure projects, ensuring seamless alignment across all works contracts and systems packages.

• Establish and enforce a robust design management framework, encompassing submission protocols, review workflows, and robust comment resolution processes.

• Maintain rigorous control over the integrated design baseline, ensuring consistency in assumptions, criteria, and parameters across all disciplines and project phases.

• Drive comprehensive technical design reviews, addressing critical interfaces, operational constraints, and constructability considerations with a strong focus on integration risks.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior Design Manager within a large-scale infrastructure program, requiring a deep understanding of complex project environments. The emphasis on "multidisciplinary coordination and integration" and "systems packages" suggests a need for a candidate experienced in managing diverse engineering and architectural disciplines, as well as the operational technology and services within an infrastructure asset. The mention of "highly regulated and technically complex environment" and "Hong Kong statutory expectations" points to a need for local regulatory knowledge.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the coordination and integration efforts for multidisciplinary designs, encompassing civil, structural, architectural, building services, E&M, and system-related disciplines across all works contracts.

• Develop, implement, and govern the design management process for the Project Delivery Management Consultancy (PDMC), including detailed submission protocols, review workflows, approval cycles, and comment resolution tracking.

• Maintain oversight and configuration control of the integrated design baseline, ensuring consistency in design assumptions, criteria, and parameters across all project packages and disciplines.

• Coordinate and lead technical design reviews, ensuring that design interfaces, requirements, constraints, assumptions, and constructability are thoroughly addressed and integrated.

• Ensure clear definition, coordination, and resolution of interface requirements across contracts, disciplines, and systems, integrating authority comments and operational constraints into the design development.

• Collaborate with BIM and CDE teams to maintain project-wide design coordination using federated models and digital collaboration platforms, ensuring digital deliverables are aligned and compliant.

• Proactively identify and escalate technical conflicts, non-compliances, and gaps in design development, addressing constructability issues, design safety concerns, and coordination risks.

• Facilitate the interpretation and consistent application of applicable standards and baseline criteria across all design packages, resolving complex technical issues with cross-discipline input.

• Ensure all design decisions, review outcomes, and technical resolutions are meticulously documented, traceable, and support project governance and assurance reviews.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on process governance, documentation, and risk management, typical of senior roles in large infrastructure projects. The inclusion of "PDMC" (Project Delivery Management Consultancy) indicates a consultancy role managing design aspects on behalf of the client or project owner.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, or a closely related technical discipline. Experience:

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in design management, with a significant portion dedicated to large-scale infrastructure or major development projects.

• Demonstrated track record of success in multidisciplinary coordination and design integration within complex, multi-contract environments.

• Experience with projects featuring substantial system interfaces and operating under stringent regulatory frameworks is highly preferred. Required Skills:

• Expertise in multidisciplinary design coordination, covering civil, structural, architectural, building services, E&M, and complex systems.

• Profound understanding of design management processes, including submission protocols, review workflows, approval cycles, and comment resolution mechanisms.

• Familiarity with Hong Kong's statutory processes, regulatory landscape, and engagement protocols with relevant authorities.

• Proficiency in BIM-led coordination and experience with digital delivery environments and common data environments (CDE).

• Strong capabilities in interface management, ensuring seamless integration between different project components and disciplines.

• Demonstrated ability in configuration control and maintaining an integrated design baseline.

• Proven aptitude for leading technical design reviews and identifying/resolving integration challenges.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse project teams and authorities.

• Highly structured, detail-oriented approach with a strong governance mindset.

• Proactive problem-solving skills, with a focus on identifying and mitigating design risks and integration challenges. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in projects with significant system interfaces and stringent regulatory requirements.

• Familiarity with data management and traceability requirements for large-scale projects.

• Knowledge of constructability analysis and its integration into the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of technical expertise, extensive project management experience in infrastructure, and specific knowledge relevant to the Hong Kong context. The "15 years" requirement points to a senior-level position.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 large-scale infrastructure projects where you held a significant design management or coordination role.

• For each project, clearly articulate your specific responsibilities in leading multidisciplinary design integration and coordination.

• Provide examples of established design management frameworks, including submission protocols, review workflows, and comment resolution strategies you implemented.

• Demonstrate experience in managing the integrated design baseline and ensuring consistency across various project packages and disciplines.

• Include case studies illustrating how you managed complex design interfaces and resolved integration challenges. Process Documentation:

• Present documentation samples or descriptions of design submission protocols, review workflows, and approval cycles managed for previous projects.

• Detail your approach to comment management, resolution tracking, and maintaining decision records in a structured and auditable manner.

• Illustrate your methods for configuration control and ensuring design changes are properly coordinated and documented.

• Provide evidence of how you ensured alignment with statutory requirements, operational constraints, and technical standards through design governance.

• Showcase examples of how digital tools and BIM coordination were utilized to enhance integration and avoid clashes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior Design Manager role in infrastructure, a portfolio needs to demonstrate not just design oversight but also the establishment and execution of robust design management processes. Emphasis should be placed on managing complexity, integration, and compliance within a multi-contractual environment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the senior level (15+ years experience), the location (Hong Kong), and the nature of large-scale infrastructure projects, a competitive salary is expected. In Hong Kong, for a Design Manager with this level of experience and responsibility, the estimated annual salary range could be between HK$900,000 to HK$1,500,000+. This range is based on industry benchmarks for senior engineering and project management roles in major infrastructure consultancies in Hong Kong, considering the complexity and criticality of the role. Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance package covering medical, dental, and vision.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., Mandatory Provident Fund - MPF contributions).

• Professional development opportunities, including training, certifications, and conference attendance.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and project incentives.

• Long-term career growth prospects within Surbana Jurong Group.

• Support for professional body memberships. Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. However, due to the demanding nature of large-scale infrastructure projects, occasional overtime may be required to meet critical deadlines or address urgent project needs. Flexibility may be offered based on project demands and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on market research for similar senior roles in Hong Kong's infrastructure sector, accounting for the extensive experience required and the complexity of managing a major program. Benefits are standard for senior positions in multinational consultancies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The Surbana Jurong Group operates within the Engineering, Construction, and Urban Planning sectors, focusing on large-scale infrastructure development, urban solutions, and industrial park development. This industry context means the company is involved in complex, long-term projects with significant societal impact. For operations professionals, this translates to a need for meticulous planning, robust process management, and strong stakeholder engagement across government bodies, contractors, and internal teams.

Company Size: Surbana Jurong Group is a large organization, likely employing thousands of professionals globally. This size suggests a structured corporate environment with established processes, opportunities for specialization, and potential for career advancement across various departments and geographies. For operations roles, this means access to extensive resources, established reporting lines, and a broad network for collaboration.

Founded: Surbana Jurong was formed through the merger of Surbana International Consultants and Jurong International Holdings, bringing together decades of expertise in urban planning, design, and project management. This rich history implies a deep-rooted commitment to technical excellence, innovation, and delivering impactful urban development projects worldwide. The company's heritage suggests a culture that values experience, strategic thinking, and long-term vision.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will likely be part of a larger Project Management Consultancy (PMC) or Program Management team. This team will be multidisciplinary, including project managers, engineers, architects, planners, and other specialists.

• The reporting structure will likely involve reporting to a Program Director or a senior executive within the PMC, with direct oversight of a team of design coordinators or specialists.

• Cross-functional collaboration will be paramount, requiring close interaction with contract managers, construction managers, system integrators, client representatives, and external consultants and contractors. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights are crucial for informed decision-making in infrastructure design, involving performance metrics, risk assessments, and compliance tracking.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies will be central to managing the design process efficiently, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to quality standards.

• Automation and efficiency practices, particularly through digital tools like BIM and CDE, are expected to be embedded in the design and coordination processes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights a global, large-scale infrastructure player. This implies a need for robust operational processes, strong governance, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments. The "PDMC" aspect suggests a client-side or consultancy role within a large project.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Design Manager role is at a senior to principal level, requiring at least 15 years of specialized experience. It signifies a leadership position responsible for critical aspects of a major infrastructure program's design integrity and coordination. The scope involves managing complex interfaces, ensuring statutory compliance, and driving integrated design outcomes across multiple contracts and disciplines.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will typically report to a Program Director or a senior project executive within the consultancy framework. They will be responsible for leading and guiding a team of design coordinators, BIM specialists, and potentially discipline-specific design support staff. The role demands significant autonomy in managing design processes and interfaces.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's impact is foundational to the success of the entire infrastructure program. Their ability to ensure integrated, compliant, and constructible designs directly influences project timelines, budget adherence, operational efficiency, safety, and long-term asset performance. Effective design management minimizes costly rework, delays, and operational issues post-completion.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in specific infrastructure design disciplines or advanced project delivery methodologies.

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to move into broader program management roles, overseeing larger scopes of work or multiple infrastructure projects.

• Strategic Influence: Involvement in strategic planning for future projects, contributing to the company's technical direction and innovation in design management.

• Global Mobility: Possibility of international assignments within the Surbana Jurong Group's diverse project portfolio.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior design professionals, developing the next generation of design leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career analysis emphasizes the senior nature of the role and its significant impact on project success. Growth opportunities are geared towards leadership, specialization, and strategic contributions within a global organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Hong Kong, likely within a modern office environment typical of major engineering consultancies or project management offices. This setting will provide access to necessary infrastructure, collaborative spaces, and a professional atmosphere conducive to managing complex projects.

Office Location(s): The primary location is in Hong Kong, specifically within the SMEC Hong Kong office, which is part of the Surbana Jurong Group. This location offers good accessibility within the city's business districts.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be designed to facilitate collaboration, with meeting rooms, project war rooms, and open-plan areas for team interaction.

• Access to advanced digital tools, CDE platforms, and BIM software will be standard, supporting efficient design coordination and data management.

• Regular interaction with a diverse team of engineers, architects, project managers, and client representatives will be a key aspect of the daily work environment. Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule will be 40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday. However, the dynamic nature of large infrastructure projects often necessitates flexibility, with potential for extended hours or weekend work during critical project phases, milestone deliveries, or to address urgent coordination issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is described as a professional, collaborative office setting in Hong Kong, with an emphasis on digital tools and cross-functional interaction, common in large project management consultancies.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess alignment with the minimum qualifications and experience, particularly the 15 years in large-scale infrastructure design management.

• Technical Interview: A detailed discussion focusing on your experience with multidisciplinary design coordination, integration, interface management, and design management frameworks. Expect questions about specific projects, challenges faced, and how you resolved them.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present key projects from your portfolio, elaborating on your role, methodologies used, and the outcomes achieved in terms of design integration and project success.

• Behavioral & Situational Assessment: Evaluation of your leadership, communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills through behavioral questions and scenario-based assessments.

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

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Project Selection: Choose 2-3 of your most relevant large-scale infrastructure projects that best showcase your design management and integration expertise.

• Role Clarity: Clearly define your specific responsibilities, contributions, and impact on each project. Use "I" statements for your actions and "we" for team achievements.

• Process Demonstration: Highlight the design management frameworks, review workflows, and coordination processes you implemented or significantly contributed to.

• Problem-Solution-Outcome: For each project, present a clear narrative: the challenge, your approach/solution, and the quantifiable outcome or benefit.

• Visual Aids: Use diagrams, flowcharts, and key drawings (with appropriate confidentiality clearance) to illustrate complex interfaces, integration challenges, and coordination processes.

• BIM/Digital Integration: Showcase how you leveraged BIM and CDE platforms for coordination and clash avoidance.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would establish a design management framework for a new, complex infrastructure program.

• Anticipate questions on managing conflicting design requirements from different disciplines or authorities.

• Practice articulating your approach to resolving technical conflicts and ensuring constructability.

• Prepare examples of how you have managed design risks and ensured statutory compliance in past roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to thoroughly assess technical expertise, practical experience, and leadership capabilities relevant to a senior role in complex infrastructure design management. Emphasis on portfolio presentation and problem-solving is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Management Software: Experience with project management platforms that facilitate design tracking, document control, and workflow management (e.g., Aconex, Procore, BIM 360).

• BIM Software: Proficiency with BIM authoring tools (e.g., Revit, Civil 3D) and BIM coordination platforms (e.g., Navisworks, BIM Collaborate Pro) is essential for integrated design and clash detection.

• Common Data Environment (CDE) Platforms: Familiarity with CDEs for managing project information and ensuring a single source of truth (e.g., Bentley ProjectWise, Autodesk CDE, SharePoint-based solutions).

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for real-time communication and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret data from project management systems and BIM models for performance tracking and risk assessment.

• Reporting Tools: Experience in generating reports on design progress, coordination status, compliance, and risk for senior stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how project data flows and interfaces are managed within broader project systems is beneficial.

• Familiarity with workflow automation within design management or CDE platforms can enhance efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role heavily leans towards BIM, CDE, and project management software critical for large-scale infrastructure coordination.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity & Professionalism: Upholding the highest ethical standards and professional conduct in all dealings, especially when managing complex stakeholder relationships and technical decisions.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality design outcomes that meet or exceed project requirements, standards, and client expectations.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a collaborative environment where diverse disciplines and teams work together effectively to achieve common project goals.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging the adoption of new technologies and methodologies to enhance design processes, efficiency, and project delivery.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for design coordination and integration outcomes, proactively addressing challenges and ensuring traceability of decisions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: A proactive approach to integrating diverse engineering, architectural, and systems disciplines, ensuring seamless communication and alignment.

• Process Review Culture: Encouraging open feedback loops and regular reviews of design processes to identify areas for improvement and efficiency gains.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting a culture where best practices, lessons learned, and technical insights are shared across teams and projects to benefit the broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture and values emphasize a professional, collaborative, and quality-driven approach, essential for managing complex infrastructure projects where multiple stakeholders and disciplines must align.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Balancing the needs and priorities of various stakeholders, including clients, contractors, authorities, and internal teams, while maintaining design integrity.

• Complex Technical Interfaces: Coordinating intricate interfaces between different engineering systems and disciplines in a highly complex infrastructure program, where misalignments can lead to significant issues.

• Navigating Regulatory Environments: Ensuring strict adherence to Hong Kong's stringent statutory requirements and authority expectations, which can be dynamic and demanding.

• Driving Digital Adoption: Encouraging and ensuring effective use of BIM and CDE platforms across all project participants, overcoming potential resistance or varying levels of digital maturity.

• Maintaining Design Baseline Integrity: Protecting and controlling the integrated design baseline against scope creep or uncoordinated changes, especially in a multi-contract environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced BIM & Digital Construction: Deepen expertise in cutting-edge BIM applications, digital twins, and advanced CDE functionalities relevant to infrastructure.

• Infrastructure Program Management: Gain exposure to the broader aspects of large-scale infrastructure program management, strategic planning, and client advisory services.

• International Project Exposure: Opportunities to work on diverse projects globally within the Surbana Jurong Group, broadening experience with different regulatory and execution environments.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to internal leadership training and development pathways designed to cultivate senior management and executive talent.

• Industry Certifications: Support for obtaining or maintaining relevant professional certifications in project management, design management, or BIM.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior roles on major infrastructure projects, focusing on complexity, stakeholder management, and technological adoption. Growth opportunities are aligned with advancing leadership and specialized expertise within the infrastructure sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to establishing a comprehensive design management framework for a new, large-scale infrastructure program. What are the key components you would prioritize?" (Focus on process governance, submission protocols, review cycles, and integration.)

• "How would you ensure consistent application of design assumptions, criteria, and parameters across multiple disciplines and works contracts in a complex project?" (Highlight methods for baseline control, documentation, and cross-discipline communication.)

• "Walk me through a challenging situation where you had to resolve significant technical conflicts or integration issues between different systems or disciplines. What was your strategy, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare a STAR method response focusing on problem-solving, collaboration, and impactful results.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Surbana Jurong Group and our work in major infrastructure projects globally?" (Research company projects, values, and recent news.)

• "How do you approach fostering collaboration and communication among diverse, multidisciplinary teams, especially when dealing with different contractual parties?" (Emphasize your leadership style, communication strategies, and conflict resolution skills.)

• "In your experience, what are the most critical factors for ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and authority expectations in a project location like Hong Kong?" (Demonstrate your understanding of regulatory environments and your proactive approach to compliance.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of the project's scale and complexity, then detail your specific role and responsibilities. Use a clear problem-solution-outcome structure for key achievements.

• Process Focus: Explicitly demonstrate how you implemented or managed design management processes, integration strategies, and coordination workflows. Use diagrams where possible.

• Quantifiable Results: Where possible, present metrics on how your design management efforts contributed to schedule adherence, cost savings, risk reduction, or quality improvements.

• Technical Depth: Be ready to discuss technical aspects of design integration, interface management, and BIM coordination relevant to the presented projects.

• Conciseness: Aim for a focused presentation that highlights your most impactful contributions within the allocated time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating deep expertise in design management processes, complex project coordination, and leadership within an infrastructure context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the Surbana Jurong Group careers portal via the provided URL.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 2-3 key large-scale infrastructure projects that best showcase your design management, multidisciplinary coordination, and integration experience. Prepare concise case studies for each, detailing your role, the processes you implemented, and the positive outcomes.

• Optimize your resume: Tailor your resume to highlight the 15+ years of experience in infrastructure design management, specific technical competencies (BIM, interface management, statutory compliance), and leadership achievements. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare for technical discussions: Review your past projects and be ready to articulate your methodologies for design governance, risk management, and conflict resolution in complex environments. Practice explaining your approach to managing design interfaces.

• Research Surbana Jurong Group: Understand the company's mission, values, and recent major infrastructure projects, particularly in Hong Kong, to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.