Job Description

JOB PURPOSE

Reporting to Director of Projects, the Senior Manager, Design and Project Management (DPM) is the internal subject matter expert in all design related matters including but not limited to conceptualisation of interior design ideas, leading asset enhancement initiatives, coordination with and management of external consultants for projects and building works of the portfolio of properties under Taylor\'s Education Group and beyond. The incumbent is expected to be independent requiring minimum supervision in discharging his/her duties.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

• Ensure design process in all projects are coordinated and completed within established project schedules. Managing project schedules to ensure timely completion by a structured approach with schedule management plan complete with preliminary schedules, projections, control & tracking methods, catch-up plans and etc.

• Proper facilitation of communication among project team members (internal team members, consultants and contractors). This includes documentation of communication and documentation of design process.

• Provide technical expertise and advice to design related functions, actively implementing value engineering exercises and design peer reviews.

• Ensuring full compliance of projects with all statutory requirements, building codes and bylaws, to established standards and in accordance with best practices.

• Lead Interior Design projects from commencement to completion: undertaking all design activities of the interior scope including FF&E under full compliance internally and externally (statutory requirements, building codes, bylaws, etc), coordination with experts of other relevant fields, production of design, drawings or other standard design deliverables, production of tender documents and administration of contract and construction to handover.

• Manage defect liabilities and all post-construction matters concerning works.

• Ensuring projects are delivered within budget, on schedule and with quality to match expectations.

KEY RESULT AREAS / RESPONSIBILITIES

PROJECT MANAGEMENT * The DPM is responsible to manage and coordinate all involving design team members. This includes architecture consultants, MEP consultants, C&S consultants, landscape architects, all specialist consultants (fa\xc3\xa7ade, lighting, interior, traffic, acoustic, BIM technicians, etc). The DPM shall bring together all design consultants to create coordinated designs in a structured manner.

• The incumbent ensures that the design processes stay on track within the established program, facilitates communication across design disciplines, and ensures that design deliverables are produced on time and in accordance to expectations.

• Part of facilitating communication includes organizing design workshops, pre-construction progress meetings, cross-discipline updates, value engineering exercises, peer reviews and etc, to ensure that all participating design team members are fully informed and well aware of current statuses and what the others are doing.

• The DPM oversees every stage of the design process and shall contribute by advising based on his/her experience. The DPM is expected to actively and consistently provide good advice and contribute to the design process.

• The DPM monitors the design process to ensure that the integrity of the established design intent is always upheld by the design team, easily conveyed, and understood by all involving members. The DPM also safeguards the Company\'s best interests in development of design.

• In the event of delays (especially within the design process), the DPM shall actively identify fast tracking measures, catch-up action plans or others to steer the project back on schedule. This applies not just to delays attributed by external design members but also internal members or stakeholders.

• The DPM reviews designs produced by the other consultants at every stage and advices the Project Director based on his/her technical expertise. This includes comments & recommendations, proposals, next steps, highlight concerns, and etc, to make sure that the Project Director is fully informed and updated on progresses of the design.

• The DPM is expected to review designs with critical considerations to:
• Health & Safety
• Environmental, Social & Governance. (ESG)

• The DPM is expected to keep up to date on all building statutory requirements, building legislation and codes of practice related to design. He/she is also expected to maintain a thorough documentation of design processes.

• At construction documents stage, the DPM is responsible to ensure all tender drawings are sufficient and professionally acceptable to ensure no confusion or complications arising from the tender process.

• Once construction for a project has kicked off, the DPM then transitions into a construction administrative role. It is his/her responsibility to ensure that the integrity of the design and/or the design intent is sufficiently conveyed and implemented into built.

• The DPM is responsible to review and respond to all RFIs, submittals and provide progress reports.

INTERIOR DESIGN * On regular occasions, the DPM will be tasked to perform design services for projects of various scale and types. The DPM must be competent enough to provide services as expected of a professional interior designer. In summary, the DPM will create functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing spaces by assessing space requirements, lead design & planning of furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E), while adhering to relevant blueprint, building codes, and inspection requirements.

• On FF&E, the DPM shall focus on sourcing, production, and documentation of all FF&E and interior finishes aspects of interior design projects. Documents will include furniture plans, furnishing drawings, specifications, control samples, details, etc. Specifications are done via software, but hand drafting and AutoCAD are expected to be utilized as well.

• The DPM shall be responsible for all aspects of planning, budgeting, and execution for interior design projects. He/she must consult with the client regarding spatial planning, user requirements, needs, style preferences, material preferences, finishings, color schemes, etc. The DPM then apply his/her in-depth knowledge of design principles, concepts, and best practices to create a project plan that includes detailed layouts, technical models and drawings, and estimates for time, cost, materials, and equipment. The DPM needs to ensure plans adhere all statutory requirements, bylaws, codes and prepare agreements for clients\' approval.

• Once approved, the DPM coordinates with other project leaders (such as the architect and project director) and other project team members to implement the plan. This includes negotiating construction fees with contractors and subcontractors, procuring materials, maintaining required documentation, and setting and communicating deadlines for key deliverables. The DPM must closely monitor progress for all aspects of the project and ensure efficient, accurate, and cost-effective implementation of the project plan. They must also regularly communicate with the client, providing regular status updates and handling any questions or changes.

• Other details of responsibilities include:
• Meeting with clients to discuss their needs and preferences in detail, including any special considerations or concerns. Work with the clients to determine initial goals and requirements for the space to be designed.
• Collaborates with other project team members (project director/manager, architects, engineers, painters, and builders to further understand how interior space should function, appear, and be furnished.
• Analyzes movement and use patterns of the space.
• Prepares sketches or other visual aids to demonstrate preliminary designs to client.
• Consults with client to select materials, furnishings, and decor.
• Uses design applications to prepare and illustrate final plans.
• Determine timelines and project costs related to ID and presents accurate estimates to clients.
• Orders or obtains necessary materials, adhering to project and budget specifications.
• Oversees the installation of materials, furniture, and other design elements.
• Managing materials and labor costs to ensure that projects stay within budget guidelines. Reviewing bids from subcontractors to ensure they are reasonable in price and scope of work offered.
• Working with architects to coordinate design details with construction plans.
• Preparing progress reports for clients on a regular basis throughout the duration of the project
• Ensures client satisfaction by visiting the project on completion with the client; resolves any complaints or concerns.
• Maintains current knowledge of trends and materials, techniques, and other developments in interior design.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• The DPM must be able to conceptualize designs, provide options in accordance with the Client\'s feedbacks and requirements and provide the standard design deliverables including but not limited to 3D renderings, perspectives, mood boards, design statement, conceptual sketches, construction drawings, and etc.

• The DPM must be able to lead the design process from concept, schematic, design development, tender documents to construction administration. He/she shall coordinate and collaborate with other engineers, technicians, specialists, and work as a team to deliver a fully implemented design from scratch to finish.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Detail-oriented with excellent problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to apply a sense of style to create aesthetically pleasing interiors (including FF&E).
• Strong visual design skills including proportion and aesthetics.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to use computer-aided design (CAD) software, standard interior design software (such as Autocad, Revit, Sketchup, etc). Building Information Modeling (BIM) proficiency will be an advantage.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• In-depth understanding and familiarity with statutory requirements, building codes, bylaws, and other types of authority requirements or regulations is necessary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

A bachelor\'s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, Project Management or a related field is generally required for this position, as well as a minimum of ten years of experience is required; a master\'s degree, relevant certification, and beyond 10 years of experience is often preferred. Proficiency in a variety of office, interior design, 3D rendering, architectural/design, graphics, and project-planning software is needed as well. The candidate must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as strong time management and leadership skills.

Taylor\'s Education Group