Design Manager

I. JOB OVERVIEW The Design Manager is Aspire's overall design guardian, accountable for maintaining the quality, coherence and practical execution of architectural and interior design across its projects, from pre-acquisition feasibility through design development, tender, construction, renovation and handover.
The role owns and continuously develops Aspire's Brand and Design Standards and ensures that each project-particularly its interiors-consistently expresses Aspire's design language and brand identity while responding to its target tenants, commercial objectives, site constraints, budget and long-term operating needs.
Reporting to the Development Director, the Design Manager proactively collaborates with Investment, Property Management, Facilities Management, Leasing, Marketing, IT, Legal, external consultants and contractors to deliver attractive, commercially viable, buildable and operationally practical projects.
II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES1. Design stewardship, Aspire design language and brand standards
· Act as the overall design guardian for architectural and interior design across Aspire projects, with particular ownership of interior design consistency, product character and brand expression.
· Own, maintain and improve Aspire's Brand and Design Standards, including standard unit types, typical layouts, interior palettes, material and finish specifications, fixtures, details and quality benchmarks.
· Brief internal designers and external consultants on the approved design language at project commencement; review concepts, mock-ups, material samples and final outputs for consistency across projects.
· Adapt design standards to project-specific constraints without diluting the approved brand identity; document proposed departures, reasons and approvals in accordance with delegated authority.
· Use feedback from completed projects, tenants and operating teams to improve future standards and design solutions.
Pre-acquisition feasibility design
· Coordinate the Feasibility Architect and Junior Designer in preparing pre-acquisition feasibility concepts for potential sites.
· Review site layouts, massing, unit mix, typical floor plans, area schedules and design assumptions for alignment with Aspire standards and investment objectives.
· Work proactively with Investment, Leasing and Property Management to assess target tenant needs, achievable product positioning, marketability, operational practicality and commercial viability.
· Coordinate with Legal and relevant specialists to identify planning, building code, fire safety and other statutory design requirements; flag unresolved risks early.
· Manage feasibility design deliverables to support acquisition bids and investment approval deadlines.
Post-acquisition design development and consultant management
· Lead the design process from approved feasibility through concept, developed and detailed design, tender information and construction-stage design coordination.
· Prepare and maintain clear project design briefs incorporating inputs from Investment, Leasing, Marketing, Property Management, Facilities Management, Operations and IT; resolve conflicting requirements before design freeze.
· Select and recommend appropriate external design consultants, issue requests for proposals and coordinate architectural, structural, MEP and interior design deliverables, responsibilities and schedules.
· Review layouts, specifications, material selections, interior detailing and common areas for design quality, construction feasibility, durability, maintenance and cost.
· Coordinate tender drawings, specifications and design responses to tender queries; manage design milestones and required sign-offs.
· Work with the Cost/Commercial Manager on cost implications and value engineering while protecting essential design quality and brand standards.
Site visits, design execution and construction quality
· Conduct regular, planned site visits during construction and renovation, with additional visits at critical milestones, mock-ups, sample approvals, major finishes and handover; adjust frequency to project risks and construction stages.
· Personally inspect whether the work being executed matches the latest approved drawings, layouts, dimensions, materials, finishes, fixtures, interior details and Aspire quality standards.
· Inspect architectural and interior finishes and interfaces with MEP and structure; identify design deviations, workmanship concerns, unresolved coordination issues and risks to appearance, function or operation.
· Work closely with the Site Project Manager, Cost/Commercial Manager, consultants and contractors to record discrepancies, determine corrective actions, assign responsible parties and deadlines, and verify closure on site.
· Coordinate consultant reviews and approvals of shop drawings, material submittals and samples before installation; confirm that approved mock-ups and materials are reflected in the executed works.
· Escalate significant deviations, proposed substitutions or unresolved quality issues promptly; do not treat a site observation as closed until the corrective work is verified or formally accepted through the applicable approval process.
· Participate in inspections, snagging, final design-quality reviews and handover; capture lessons learned for subsequent projects.
Cross-functional alignment and commercial/operational suitability
· Proactively engage Investment, Property Management and Leasing at concept and key design review stages rather than seeking their input only at final sign-off.
· Challenge and refine design proposals to balance aesthetics and brand identity with target tenant preferences, leasing appeal, unit efficiency, investment returns, operational workflows and long-term maintenance.
· Coordinate with Facilities Management, Operations, IT and Marketing on practical requirements such as access, cleaning, serviceability, storage, equipment, guest experience and product positioning.
· Identify trade-offs and present evidence-based recommendations to the Development Director, documenting agreed decisions and follow-up actions.
Design documentation, RFIs and approvals
· Manage coordinated reviews of consultant drawings, specifications, shop drawings, samples and material submissions; resolve architectural, structural and MEP conflicts before works proceed.
· Coordinate with the Site Project Manager to ensure approved documents reach site on time and superseded documents are withdrawn from use.
· Manage design-related RFIs and site queries, obtain timely consultant responses, clarify design intent and track open items to closure.
· Maintain controlled records of approved drawings, specifications, design decisions, review comments and sign-offs.
· Support Legal and project teams with design information required for statutory approvals, including fire safety submissions.
Post-contract design changes and cost control
· Review contractor, consultant and internal change requests, including proposed materials substitutions and layout changes.
· With the Site Project Manager and Cost/Commercial Manager, assess effects on design quality, Aspire brand standards, cost, schedule, buildability and future operation.
· Recommend options to the Development Director and obtain approvals in accordance with the Company's authority matrix before implementation.
· Maintain a design change log and ensure approved changes are reflected in revised drawings and communicated to site.
Reporting, risk management and accountability
· Provide concise weekly design reports covering deliverables, site visits, inspection findings, open RFIs, approval status, changes, design risks, responsible parties and target closure dates.
· Flag design programme delays, construction deviations, budget risks and brand/quality concerns early, with proposed actions and escalation where necessary.
· Maintain a site design issue log and follow critical matters through correction, reinspection and documented closure.
· Remain accountable for design coordination and execution outcomes within the role's remit; delegation to consultants or site personnel does not remove the responsibility to monitor and verify results.
III. QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
· Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design or a related design discipline; a valid architectural practising licence is preferred.
· At least 15 years of relevant design coordination or design management experience, including consultant management from feasibility through tender and post-contract stages.
· Experience with residential, townhouse-scale, serviced apartment, build-to-rent, co-living, hotel or hospitality projects; Vietnam experience, especially Ho Chi Minh City, preferred.
· Strong architectural and interior design judgment, with the ability to maintain a recognizable brand design language across different projects.
· Demonstrated experience inspecting construction sites, assessing executed finishes and resolving design-quality discrepancies with site and commercial teams.
· Good understanding of Vietnamese building regulations, planning and approval procedures, construction methods, cost impacts, maintainability and value engineering.
· Proficient in AutoCAD, 3D design/rendering tools and Microsoft Office; Revit/BIM experience preferred.
· Strong stakeholder coordination, problem-solving, documentation and reporting skills; fluent Vietnamese required, English preferred.
· Willing and able to travel regularly between project sites and work directly with construction and renovation teams.