Design Manager – Innovation

As the Design manager your role will be manage the Cairn central design standards across all Cairn’s pipeline of projects, coordination of new innovative ways of working in terms of process, systems and technology.

You will be reporting to the Design Lead – Pre-Construction & Innovation**, a**long with supporting the broader pre-construction, planning, design and delivery functions, you bring with you a capacity to unite teams and adopt a fresh, streamlined and innovative approach to collaborative design at Cairn.

Key Responsibilities:

Innovation Management – Lead

• Project manage and coordinate – New Innovations within the established Cairn Innovation Framework. Developing designs prior to their integration into use on a site project.
• Meeting and developing product suppliers and subcontractors to organise design integrations and to evaluate their products
• Preparing implementation plans for innovation projects, when they are proposed to be used on site, which contains, risks opportunities, costs, technical challenges.
• Coordinate, program and provide oversight of Cairn innovation activities, on site and in R&D development. Maintain a Yearly Program for each project.
• Further develop the innovation framework, programme and processes to underpin the business approach to innovation.
• Using the Technical Design Library, create standards for innovation, handover package.
• Influence and ensure that critical design innovation decisions are made in a timely manner within the agreed delivery and procurement programmes.
• Project manage & coordinate design innovation team inputs in respect of Cairn internal technical team, design functions (landscaping, interiors and architecture), costs, sales and construction
• Coordinate technical due diligence on new products and areas of innovation, utilising Cairn’s internal technical team and 3rd party advisors.
• Collaborate with the internal Sustainability team to ensure our sustainability strategy and targets are considered a key metric for any innovation initiative.
• Collaborate with commercial and procurement teams to influence and challenge suppliers to provide high quality, market appropriate and cost-effective products.
• Collaborate with procurement and commercial teams to establish a realistic and accurate budget for design materials, products and systems solutions planned for each development, prior to their use.
• Work with the Digital Construction Manager, to integrate the standards, into Cairn Digital Library.

Pre-Construction / Central Design Standards – Support

• Support in Managing, organising and Maintaining Central Design Standards Information
• Supporting with the management of Pre-Construction Meetings and Pipeline .
• Coordinate with Design Leads (Product, Interiors & Landscaping) to ensure a consistent approach across all Design and is consolidated into Cairn’s Design Library..
• Keep abreast of local and international innovations in construction and consult with the professional institutions such as RIAI and coordinate with the Head of Technical and Construction & Operations Director on the agreed design innovation direction for Cairn.
• Engage with supply chain and subcontractor base to communicate and embed new innovations in Cairn Design Standards.
• Produce drawings for the Cairn Technical Design Library and manage there completion where they are being completed externally.

Key Cairn Functional Interfaces

Innovation Manager will work across the Cairn business functions throughout the project life cycle, from acquisitions / Planning through to Sales and Aftercare. In particular the role’s key interface points will include:-

• Design Lead – Product/ Architecture
• Design Lead – interiors
• Technical Managers
• Commercial & Procurement
• Site Teams
• Customer / Sales teams
• Sustainability
• Subcontractor Relationship Manager Team

The Candidate

• Preferred Degree – Architecture/ Architectural Technology/ Project Manager
• Evidence of proven ability as it relates to innovation and fresh thinking
• Minimum 5 years’ design experience in residential construction or equivalent
• Strong understanding of relevant building regulations, codes and legislation.
• Ability to develop relationships and influence a wide variety of project stakeholders including external design firms.
• Innovative mindset with a confidence to challenge current methodologies.
• Ambitious and driven to deliver on their current portfolio and proactively identify further opportunities.
• Disciplined in following up projects and tasks to completion in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to program long term activities
• Ability to work independently using their own initiative whilst contributing to the needs of the team.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• A valid driver’s licence and have access to a vehicle.

Working with Cairn Homes

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 in 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 is not what we build, it is why we build. It is 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.