Design Management Lead (m/w/d)

Design Management Lead (m/w/d)

Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Design Management Lead to join our Principal Works team in the DACH region. Reporting directly to the Design & Construction Lead, this role is responsible for defining, leading, and assuring excellence in design and engineering across our Design & Build and client-side fit-out activities. The role sits at the intersection of clients, design partners, and internal service lines and plays a critical role in shaping Cushman & Wakefield's market perception as a design-led, technically robust, and innovative delivery partner. In parallel, the position actively supports revenue growth by enabling scalable, high-quality design solutions across service lines, asset classes, and geographies. As Design Management Lead, you will provide leadership and governance for the design and engineering delivery of high-quality interior fit-out projects across office, retail, and laboratory environments, while fostering close collaboration with Project & Development Services (PDS), Leasing, Sustainability, and the wider EMEA platform.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design Leadership & Governance
• Act as the design authority within Principal Works, setting standards, processes, and best practices for design and engineering delivery across the DACH region.
• Lead overall design coordination for interior fit-out projects, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with client objectives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regional technical, regulatory, and statutory requirements throughout all project phases.
• Represent Cushman & Wakefield as the senior design interlocutor towards clients, decision-makers, and external stakeholders.
• Delivery Oversight & Quality Assurance
• Oversee and assure the quality, performance, and outputs of external designers, engineers, and consultants.
• Provide strategic input and challenge during concept, design development, and execution stages to reduce risk and enhance outcomes.
• Support complex or high-profile projects through targeted leadership, problem-solving, and escalation management.
• Supplier & Partner Management
• Lead procurement and active management of the design and engineering supplier network to ensure depth, capability, and scalability.
• Strengthen and expand Cushman & Wakefield's supplier and delivery partner ecosystem across asset classes and geographies.
• Establish long-term, performance-driven relationships that enhance quality, innovation, and commercial outcomes.
• Business Development & Growth
• Support business development initiatives by contributing design leadership to bids, pitches, and client presentations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with investors, landlords, occupiers, and construction partners.
• Actively contribute to revenue generation by enabling tailored, design-led solutions across service lines and regions.
• Collaboration, Innovation & Transformation Foster close collaboration with internal teams across PDS, Leasing, Sustainability, and other service lines.
• Strengthen cross-border cooperation within the Cushman & Wakefield EMEA network.
• Drive innovation in service delivery, including the integration of digital tools, technology, and automation across project, controlling, and administrative processes.
• Knowledge & Experience:
• 10+ years experience in design, engineering, and construction with focus on commercial interiors
• Strong technical, regulatory, and contractual knowledge of construction practices in the DACH region (e.g. HOAI, DIN276, VOB, BGB)
• Proven Experience in successfully managing supplier relationships and building strategic partnerships
• Track record of successfully leading project teams
• Deep understanding of fit-out processes for office, retail, and lab environments
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and implement technology-driven solutions in project delivery
• Proven ability to work effectively in cross-cultural, multilingual environments
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills across geographies
• Established network within the real estate and engineering industry.
• Sales and business development affinity with a strategic growth mindset.
• Fluency in German and English (minimum C1 level in both languages).

What we offer:

Flat hierarchies and an international and modern working environment, attractive and performance-related remuneration, flexible working hours, 30 vacation days plus special leave days, further training and development opportunities, company pension scheme.

Please note, we do not consider applications per E-mail.

We foster a culture of inclusion that embraces the unique strengths, perspectives, and experiences of all our employees. We firmly believe that our diversity enhances our team's capabilities, leading to improved decision-making, innovation, and business outcomes.