Technical Design Manager

Our client The Land Development Agency (LDA) is a key Government Commercial Semi-State Body that delivers social and affordable housing on State and other lands. It is overseen by an independent board of directors and is funded with €3.75 billion of equity capital committed by the Government.It is also permitted to borrow up to €1.25bn

The LDA has commenced construction on various state sourced lands and is currently working on about 20 direct delivery projects that can deliver over 8,000 homes. It is also delivering affordable housing by working with private sector on an initiative called ‘Project Tosaigh’, which will yield a further 5,000 homes on land provided by housebuilders.

Additionally, the LDA is working on large-scale longer-term strategic areas by master-planning and bringing forward planning applications in locations such as Limerick Colbert Quarter, the Digital Hub in Dublin and Sandy Road in Galway.

The LDA is underpinned by a positive, collegiate, ‘can do’ culture based on our core values of Integrity, Results, Collaboration, Sustainability and Innovation. Our team is around 160 people and growing rapidly.

Links to current LDA Projects:

The Role

As the Agency continues to grow, this key role offers the right candidate a fantastic opportunity to play an integral role in a wide range of transformative residential and regeneration projects across the country through the development life cycle. Having a role from site selection due diligence through to scheme delivery, this job will be able to help shape the expanding LDA portfolio.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience of the civil and structural design and delivery of medium and high density residential schemes with all the necessary technical and commercial acumen, but importantly will need to be a team player with the drive, work ethic and adaptability to respond to the exciting challenges of the LDA mandate.

Role Purpose/Duties

• Collaborate with the current architectural design managers, development team, construction and cost planning teams to develop, design and implement the optimum infrastructure and structural solution for each development
• Review, interrogate and challenge all designs produced throughout the design and development process to ensure they meet LDA expectations and identify opportunities to improve the efficient delivery of affordable homes
• Support the Development Managers with design team service expectations and embedding innovation and driving efficiencies into the design team culture
• Streamline and standardise the approach to project development to enable effective and affordable delivery at scale
• Influence and align all stakeholders (particularly utility providers) to concentrate efforts in areas they will drive maximum efficiencies, affordability and deliverability across the portfolio
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to provide materials, products and systems solutions that meet the agreed design brief, cost and quality
• Influence and ensure that critical design decisions are fully considered and challenged from concept stage onward
• Build trusting relationships with all internal and external stakeholders
• Liaise with all necessary LDA functions to progress project through each project stage
• Build and lead LDA engagement with utility providers
• Assist in preparing the standard LDA performance specification and Employers Requirements documentation
• Embed Modern Methods of Construction and design (including BIM) into the pre-planning and subsequent phases to allow the LDA to lead in the implementation of innovations in construction

Person Specifications/Requirements

• Chartered Engineer with at least 8 years’ experience in the various stages of the development cycle
• Experience as civil and structural engineering lead on large scale residential projects is a distinct advantage
• Have a real passion for the design and delivery of transformative residential led developments
• Excellent relationship management skills (both internal and external) and ability to work within a dynamic team
• A proven relevant track record for delivery of large scale residential projects
• Strong technical report writing and presentation skills are important
• Strong knowledge of the Irish planning, development and construction sector important
• Awareness of cost management, value engineering and project viability
• Experience of preparing design guidance an advantage
• Knowledge of public procurement an advantage
• Communication – communicating with focus, simplicity and clarity, adapting to audience
• Planning and organising - developing and implementing processes; prioritising activities that accelerate delivery
• Adapting to change – driving and communicating changes

Skills

• Self-starter
• Analytical – need to be able to review and challenge
• Solutions and results focused
• Commercial awareness and professional judgement
• Strong governance and possess a high level of integrity
• Excellent communication skills – written, graphical and verbal
• Ability to work well within a team environment, making positive and proactive contributions
• Flexible and adaptable, demonstrating accountability and taking responsibility
• Familiar with the use of CAD software, such as AutoCad

To Apply

Closing date for applications Thursday, 2nd May 2024

The Land Development Agency (LDA) is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promote and support a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we endeavour to provide reasonable accommodation.