Design Manager - Construction

Halifax, NS

Join Us in Creating the Best Places to Live, Shop, Work & Play

As Design Manager, you will lead and coordinate the design team in the delivery of multi-residential and mixed-use construction projects from early concept through construction and occupancy. You’ll play a critical role in aligning design intent with constructability, budget, schedule, and operational outcomes—bridging the gap between consultants, construction teams, and internal stakeholders.

At Southwest we believe in going beyond the necessary to create inspiring environments. To us, a building is so much more than just a collection of walls under a single roof. At Southwest, we believe an innovative, exceptional, thoughtfully designed building can inspire great things to happen inside and around it.

If you bring strong design coordination experience, a construction mindset, and a passion for delivering high-quality built environments, we’d love to hear from you.

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Here’s a Few Reasons Why We Love Where We Work

• Performance-Based Bonus Eligibility
• Comprehensive, Customizable Options for Health & Dental Benefits (Single/Family Plan Options)
• 4% Matching GRSP Program
• Annual Health & Wellness Incentive
• Educational Reimbursement for Eligible Employees/Programs
• Employee Discount Program – 10% off Southwest Properties Lease
• Resident & Employee Referral Programs
• Social Events
• Charitable Donation Matching Program
• 1 Paid Volunteer Day for an Organization of your Choice
• 2 Personal Days Annually
• Vacation Purchase Program Options for Eligible Employees

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What Your Day Will Look Like

As the Design Manager, you will be responsible for managing and coordinating all design-related activities for Southwest Properties developments. You will work closely with design consultants, internal construction team members, trade partners, development teams, and operational stakeholders to ensure design deliverables are complete, coordinated, and construction-ready.

You will lead design meetings, manage consultant performance, review drawings for constructability and compliance, and support the construction team throughout the build with timely design clarification and a firm handle on required issue resolution.

Work Hours: Full-time, Monday–Friday, with extended hours where required to meet key project milestones.

Work Location: Southwest Properties Office – 1315 Lower Water Street Halifax and applicable project site visits mostly within HRM. Travel outside of Nova Scotia may be required occasionally for project research and continued education.

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What You’ll Be Responsible For

Design Leadership

• Lead the design process from schematic design through construction documents and construction administration.
• Coordinate architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, and specialty consultants to ensure fully integrated design packages.
• Chair and facilitate design meetings, workshops, and coordination sessions.
• Ensure design intent aligns with project scope, budget, schedule, and construction methodology.

Construction Integration

• Review drawings, specifications, and consultant submissions for constructability, completeness, and risk.
• Collaborate closely with the Construction and Operations teams, and consultants to resolve design conflicts prior to and during construction.
• Support construction administration activities including RFIs, shop drawing reviews, site reviews, and design clarifications.
• Participate in site visits to validate design intent and respond to field conditions.

Quality, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all designs are in compliance with building codes, zoning bylaws, life safety requirements, and municipal regulations.
• Identify design-related risks early and work proactively with the team to mitigate cost and schedule impacts.
• Manage the design change process including revisions, and approvals in a controlled and timely manner.

Consultant & Documentation Management

• Manage consultant contracts, scopes of work, deliverables, and performance.
• Maintain accurate design documentation, drawing logs, and revision control.
• Utilize Procore to track documentation, budgets, and approvals.

Collaboration & Communication

• Act as the primary design liaison between development, construction, property management, and external consultants.
• Provide clear, concise updates on design progress, risks, and decisions to internal stakeholders.
• Support smooth commissioning, turnover, and transition to operations.

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Your Environment

You will work in collaborative office and project-site environments, supporting development activities. This role includes time spent reviewing technical documentation, attending meetings, and visiting active construction sites. Occasional exposure to outdoor conditions, working around active construction, and navigating job sites is expected.

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What Will Help You Succeed

You don’t require all the listed qualifications to add incredible value to our team. If you feel energized thinking about what you could accomplish at Southwest, we would love to hear from you.

Our ideal candidate brings:

• 7–10+ years of progressive experience in architectural design, design coordination, design-build project delivery or construction management.
• Proven experience delivering mid-rise and high-rise multi-residential with an emphasis on commercial and retail integration.
• Strong understanding of building systems, constructability, sequencing, and construction practices.
• Ability to interpret architectural and engineering drawings and proactively identify coordination issues.
• Experience working closely with construction teams throughout the build phase.
• Revit/BIM/SketchUp experience is considered an asset.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Teams, Outlook).
• Experience using Procore or similar project/asset or construction management systems.
• Excellent communication, organization, and stakeholder management skills.
• Post-secondary education in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Professional designation (Architect, Engineer, PMP) is considered an asset.

Position requires: Criminal Record Check completion.

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People are at the Heart of Everything We Do

Southwest Properties is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse team, who values your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

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Thank you for your interest in Southwest Properties. Those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

We are a team of individuals who get joy from bringing joy to others.