Design Manager – Architecture

Cairn has a unique and exciting opportunity for an experienced Architect to work with and support Cairn's Design Team. It’s an opportunity to have influence on some of the leading residential schemes in Ireland, collaborating with the wider business on how we strive to continuously improve our product offering.  

This role is based in our Central Office in Dublin City Centre. The successful person will be an experienced, motivated team player who thrives in a fast-paced dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Design Lead - Architecture in the oversight of all product design work being produced by external design consultants to ensure all homes are aligned with Cairns standardised design approach whilst being market appropriate and meeting stakeholder/customer expectations. 
• Work alongside planning, technical, commercial and sales teams in reviewing and interrogating the work being produced by our external design consultants across all stages of the development to ensure it is of sufficient quality and identify any opportunity for design optimisation. 
• Establish a brief for designated schemes with key stakeholders and then communicate that brief clearly and succinctly to our external design teams 
• Managing the evolvement of the brief as the design progresses, tracking alignment to the standards and requirements. 
• Develop, maintain and expand upon our templates for briefing and design guidance documentation 
• Develop, maintain and expand upon our suite or library of standard typologies 
• Establish Cairn standard approaches and champion implementation where appropriate to ensure consistency and best practice. 
• Develop and communicate design principles through the production of design guidance drawings or images. 
• Manage and input on the selection of external finishes and products
• Communicate the proposed design effectively to key stakeholders and manage key stakeholders to obtain agreement on key product design decisions during the design process
• Keep up to date with product developments and constantly on the lookout for ways in which to improve our product offering as well as ways to innovate the delivery of our product in a more efficient or cost-effective manner
• Research and investigate market patterns to understand and report on design opportunities and offerings elsewhere.
• Challenge our suppliers to provide high quality, market appropriate and cost-effective products

Key Competencies:

• Degree/Higher Diploma qualification in architecture
• c.10 years’ experience in residential design with developer experience an advantage
• Excellent knowledge of the housing and apartment design guidelines and an understanding as to how to work within those parameters to achieve optimum designs
• Appreciation of the benefits and drivers of customer lead home design and building
• Good eye for detail and a willingness to sweat the design
• Good understanding of latest planning and building regulations
• Commercially astute with an ability to make value-add contributions throughout the design process
• Proficiency in Cad, Sketch up(or other 3D programmes) and Indesign
• To be self motivated with ability to work on own initiative
• To be flexible, agile and to take responsibility for completing designated tasks and reporting back to Design Lead
• To be good at working with people at all levels and willing to work in a team
• To have good spoken and written communication skills
• Willingness to travel between sites across greater Dublin and beyond
• Have a full driving licence

Working with Cairn:

At Cairn, we believe it is essential that our employees feel valued and appreciated. We therefore offer above industry average remuneration packages with a comprehensive benefits portfolio that’s ready to support you for whatever life brings.

We are delighted to offer a suite of benefits when you join Cairn which include;

• Competitive salary
• Performance related bonus
• Pension scheme with matching contributions
• Full health insurance with Irish Life health
• Annual salary review
• Continuous Professional development (CPD) programme & funding
• Paid maternity & paternity leave
• Free Cairn annual leave days
• Life assurance
• Income protection
• Employee Assistance Programme with VHI
• Tax saver - travel and bike to work
• Culture Committee
• Talent Development Programmes
• Approved Profit Sharing Scheme (APSS)

The Cairn purpose is to build sustainable communities where people can thrive.

At Cairn, it’s not what we build, it’s why we build. It’s about putting down a marker that will stand for generations to come. Creating new communities of connection and belonging for an Ireland where people can thrive. Reshaping, redefining, reinvigorating our place in the world. Building for people, progress, and potential.

Because when Cairn build, it’s Built For Good.