Design Manager (12 Months contract) at Tsebo Solution

Duties & Responsibilities    

Operational deliverables:

• Support TWD Head to continually develop and evolve the design standards as required through on-going projects and initiatives.
• Develop, update and support all design standards as required and requested.
• Support the management and development of all design tools, such as the Space Allocation Tool, Pre and Post-Move Surveys, Brief Requirements, etc.
• Provide future focused and affordable project solutions, standards and applications.
• Continuously develop Value Engineering programs and initiatives for PM&D review
• Support the weekly Project Design calls to manage project escalation issues and initiatives.
• Present on regular Project Design calls as requested internally and through to clients.
• Develop and support a comprehensive communications & reporting structure to disseminate all information in a timely manner to all parties.
• Provide regular project portfolio reports to the TWD Head, using TWD Standard Formats
• Support PM meetings by providing project updates and managing the drawing register and design risk register.
• Maintain and improve a weekly Retail and Office Design Project trackers, indicating stages of work of design projects.
• Support Agile Working programs & initiatives as requested.
• Check all Project Proposals satisfy client requirements and internal TWD standards as well as local municipal standards before submitting for approval.
• Attend necessary meetings and presentations to support and present proposals for approval by clients.
• Confirm that all layouts developed by the design team conform with HSE codes by liaising with the relevant persons.
• Check that all projects have a consistent communications and delivery for briefing, master planning and design.
• Disseminate, implement and uphold the client standards, processes and procedures relevant to project planning.
• Provide regular project vetting, recommendations, solutions and escalations.
• Manage design team interactions with the greater TWD team on end-to-end project delivery

Customer Focus:

• Work with all stakeholders and teams to develop and maintain a customer-focused attitude.
• Interact with Project Managers and Contractors to provide and process information in response to enquiries, concerns and requests about deliverables.
• Conduct business reviews to ensure clients are satisfied with their requests.
• Keep up to date with business developments and strategic objectives within the industry.
• Provide advice on general changes and compliance within the project management frameworks when required.

Special Projects:

• Oversee a variety of special projects as requested, including explorations of system or process improvements.

Client Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain relationships with clients and key personnel within contracts to assure optimal operational performance.
• Ensure TWD Business Development Manager and Head of TWD are kept informed of all relevant changes and developments.
• Attend meetings with clients to build relationships with existing contracts.
• Monitor company performance against service level agreements and flag potential issues.
• Liaise with internal departments to ensure client needs are fulfilled effectively.

Reporting:

• Consolidate and submit all required reporting within set timeframes for submission to relevant parties.
• Prepare presentations and present for Operations/relevant stakeholders when required..

Financial Support:

• Ensure early warnings are issued in good time if any system parameter (updates) is going to be compromised.
• Ensure all legal, regulatory and client compliance has been followed, as to ensure no penalties or fines are incurred.
• Always suggest the use of a TWD services to the client, where feasible, to increase cross selling – this is to be done for the wider Tsebo Group of Companies too.s.

People Management:

• Identify learning and development initiatives for staff reporting to yourself.
• Coach and mentor staff when required.
• Skills and Competencies    
• People management and team building.
• Project management skills.
• Experience with communication, presentation and negotiation skills at all levels of an organization
• Quality control
• Excellent communication skills and relationship management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and follow up skills
• Customer service centric.
• Problem solving and analytical skills.
• Anticipates problems and provides solutions that require researching and selecting; develops and implements complex and innovative concepts 
• Space planning “fit out” of office projects.
• Familiarity with the Local Furniture Industry.

Qualifications    

• Grade 12
• university degree (BS/BA/BSc) or equivalent qualification, preferably in interior design or architecture. Advanced degree preferred (MS/MA/MSc/MBA)
• South African Council of  Architectural Professions (SACAP) registration (preferable)
• Minimum 5-8 years of professional experience in the field of Workplace and Retail Design
• Minimum 5-8 years of managerial experience in the design industry