Design Manager
Halifax, NS
AM – SWP – 9600
Meridia Recruitment Solutions has partnered with Southwest Properties, one of Atlantic Canada’s leading real estate developers, to recruit a Design Manager to join their growing construction team based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Southwest Properties is one of Atlantic Canada’s most respected and visionary real estate developers, with roots that trace back to the 1950s. Today, the company has grown into a leading regional developer, owner, and operator of residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties - shaping some of Halifax’s most iconic spaces along the waterfront and beyond. Known for its commitment to innovation, design excellence, and creating vibrant places where people truly want to live, work, and play, Southwest continues to redefine urban living while staying deeply connected to the community it helped build.
Role Description:
Reporting to the Vice President, Construction & Development, as the Design Manager you will lead and coordinate all design-related activities across multi-residential and mixed-use projects, from early concept through construction and occupancy. You will play a key role on landmark developments including Seton Ridge, a large-scale, master‑planned community focused on thoughtful community design, integrated amenities, and long-term residential value. Southwest plans to construct nine towers at Seton Ridge and has already begun detailed design work on the first building. As well as Fortuna on Lucknow, a striking 17‑storey, 174‑unit urban residential tower featuring high-end amenities, rooftop spaces, and luxurious urban design conditions. Acting as the critical link between design intent and execution, you will ensure designs are coordinated, constructible, and aligned with budget, schedule, and operational goals while proactively mitigating risk.
By joining Southwest Properties, you will contribute to a diverse portfolio of high-profile developments throughout Halifax and the broader region. You will support projects through all phases of design and construction, collaborating across disciplines to ensure a seamless transition from drawings to built form and ultimately to occupancy. Southwest Properties offers a competitive total rewards package, including performance-based incentives, rental discounts, comprehensive and flexible health and dental coverage and support for ongoing professional development.
Your responsibilities will include:
Your Qualifications:
As the ideal candidate, you are a collaborative and detail-oriented design professional with a strong construction mindset. You bring the ability to balance design excellence with practical execution, thrive in cross-functional environments, and communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders. You are proactive, solutions-focused, and motivated by contributing to high-quality built environments that stand the test of time.
For more information contact Austin McLennan, Partner, at 902-424-1103 and amclennan@kbrs.ca or Abdul Dalloul, Recruitment Specialist at 902-334-7488 and adalloul@kbrs.ca , or please apply online by clicking the “Apply Now” button below. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let Austin or Abdul know.
Meridia Recruitment Solutions connects leading organizations with top talent by building strong relationships and creating ideal matches with candidates because we are only successful when you are. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity.
To learn more about Meridia Recruitment Solutions, our job opportunities, and career advice we invite you to explore our site and subscribe for career alerts.
Halifax, NS
AM – SWP – 9600
Meridia Recruitment Solutions has partnered with Southwest Properties, one of Atlantic Canada’s leading real estate developers, to recruit a Design Manager to join their growing construction team based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Southwest Properties is one of Atlantic Canada’s most respected and visionary real estate developers, with roots that trace back to the 1950s. Today, the company has grown into a leading regional developer, owner, and operator of residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties - shaping some of Halifax’s most iconic spaces along the waterfront and beyond. Known for its commitment to innovation, design excellence, and creating vibrant places where people truly want to live, work, and play, Southwest continues to redefine urban living while staying deeply connected to the community it helped build.
Role Description:
Reporting to the Vice President, Construction & Development, as the Design Manager you will lead and coordinate all design-related activities across multi-residential and mixed-use projects, from early concept through construction and occupancy. You will play a key role on landmark developments including Seton Ridge, a large-scale, master‑planned community focused on thoughtful community design, integrated amenities, and long-term residential value. Southwest plans to construct nine towers at Seton Ridge and has already begun detailed design work on the first building. As well as Fortuna on Lucknow, a striking 17‑storey, 174‑unit urban residential tower featuring high-end amenities, rooftop spaces, and luxurious urban design conditions. Acting as the critical link between design intent and execution, you will ensure designs are coordinated, constructible, and aligned with budget, schedule, and operational goals while proactively mitigating risk.
By joining Southwest Properties, you will contribute to a diverse portfolio of high-profile developments throughout Halifax and the broader region. You will support projects through all phases of design and construction, collaborating across disciplines to ensure a seamless transition from drawings to built form and ultimately to occupancy. Southwest Properties offers a competitive total rewards package, including performance-based incentives, rental discounts, comprehensive and flexible health and dental coverage and support for ongoing professional development.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Lead the full design process across multiple concurrent multi-residential and mixed-use developments, from early concept and design through construction documents, construction administration, commissioning, and occupancy, ensuring continuity and clarity at every stage of delivery;
- Coordinate and manage multidisciplinary consultant teams including architects, structural, mechanical, interior design, and specialty consultants, ensuring scopes, deliverables, timelines, and design interfaces are clearly defined, integrated, and executed;
- Chair and facilitate all design meetings, workshops, and coordination sessions, driving decision-making, resolving conflicts, documenting outcomes, and maintaining momentum to meet project milestones and critical path requirements;
- Review drawings, specifications, models, and consultant submissions for constructability, coordination, risk, and compliance with building codes, zoning bylaws, life safety standards, and municipal regulations;
- Work closely with construction, development, and operations teams to align design intent with construction methodology, sequencing, budgets, schedules, and long-term operational considerations, proactively resolving issues before they impact cost or schedule;
- Support construction administration activities including RFIs, shop drawing and submittal reviews, site reviews, field coordination, and timely design clarifications, ensuring efficient issue resolution during active construction;
- Identify, track, and manage design-related risks, changes, and revisions, leading the design change management process to ensure impacts are clearly understood, reviewed, approved, and communicated in a controlled and timely manner;
- Manage consultant contracts, scopes of work, fees, deliverables, and performance, holding partners accountable while fostering collaborative, solution-oriented working relationships;
- Maintain accurate and organized design documentation, drawing logs, revision histories, and approval records using systems such as Procore, ensuring transparency, traceability, and audit-ready records throughout the project lifecycle;
- Act as the primary design liaison between internal stakeholders and external consultants, providing clear, concise updates on design progress, key decisions, risks, and opportunities, and supporting smooth commissioning, turnover, and transition to operations.
As the ideal candidate, you are a collaborative and detail-oriented design professional with a strong construction mindset. You bring the ability to balance design excellence with practical execution, thrive in cross-functional environments, and communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders. You are proactive, solutions-focused, and motivated by contributing to high-quality built environments that stand the test of time.
Qualifications include:
- 7–10+ years of progressive experience in architectural design, design management, design coordination, design-build delivery, or construction management within complex, multi-disciplinary project environments;
- Proven experience delivering mid-rise and high-rise multi-residential and mixed-use developments, ideally including projects with commercial, retail, or amenity components;
- Strong technical understanding of building systems including structure, envelope, mechanical, electrical, life safety, and civil coordination, with the ability to identify constructability and sequencing challenges early;
- Demonstrated ability to interpret architectural and engineering drawings, specifications, and consultant documentation, proactively identifying coordination gaps, conflicts, and risks;
- Hands-on experience supporting construction teams through the build phase, including RFIs, shop drawings, site reviews, and field-driven design resolution;
- Strong working knowledge of project documentation and management platforms such as Procore, as well as Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Teams, Outlook);
- Experience with Revit, BIM coordination, SketchUp, or similar design and visualization tools considered a strong asset;
- Excellent communication, organization, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead meetings, manage competing priorities, and influence outcomes without direct authority;
- Post-secondary education in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field, with a professional designation (Architect, Engineer, PMP) considered an asset.
To express interest in this opportunity please apply online by clicking “Apply Now” below.
For more information contact Austin McLennan, Partner, at 902-424-1103 and amclennan@kbrs.ca or Abdul Dalloul, Recruitment Specialist at 902-334-7488 and adalloul@kbrs.ca , or please apply online by clicking the “Apply Now” button below. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let Austin or Abdul know.
Meridia Recruitment Solutions connects leading organizations with top talent by building strong relationships and creating ideal matches with candidates because we are only successful when you are. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity.
To learn more about Meridia Recruitment Solutions, our job opportunities, and career advice we invite you to explore our site and subscribe for career alerts.
