Pre-Construction & Design Manager

About the role

We are seeking a Pre‑Construction & Design Manager to lead the front‑end of design‑build projects, from concept through construction, for a national contractor with a strong pipeline of large‑scale projects. Based in Queenstown, you will work closely with consultants, stakeholders and on‑site teams to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, on time and within budget.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the end‑to‑end design process for major design‑build projects.
• Develop and manage pre‑construction programmes and schedules.
• Drive buildability, value engineering and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Manage consenting, early‑stage risks and compliance with local building codes.
• Oversee production of high‑quality design documentation.
• Support delivery teams throughout construction.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants and stakeholders.

Required profile

• Extensive design management experience on large projects.
• Project management experience on design‑build contracts (advantageous).
• Proven ability to build relationships and drive decisions.
• Strong commercial awareness and risk‑management skills.
• Experience with local New Zealand building codes, consenting and construction processes.

Required skills

• Design Management
• Project Management
• Value Engineering
• Risk Management
• Building Code Compliance
• Consenting Process
• Construction Coordination

What we offer

• Relocation support for candidates moving to Queenstown.
• Opportunity to work on award‑winning, high‑profile projects.
• Collaborative culture with long‑term career development.