About The Land Development Agency

The Land Development Agency (LDA) is a key Government Commercial Semi-State Body that delivers affordable and social housing on State and other lands. It is overseen by an independent board of directors and is funded with €5 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 25 plus direct delivery projects that can deliver over 15,000 homes. It is also delivering affordable housing by working with the private sector on an initiative called ‘Project Tosaigh’, which will yield a further 8,000 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 Cork Docklands 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 200 people and growing rapidly.

The Role

The Technical Design Manager role will offer the right candidates an exciting opportunity to play an integral role in the delivery of a wide range of transformative residential and regeneration development projects across the country. The ideal candidate will have a solutions orientated “can-do” approach combined with an underlying relevant technical expertise and extensive experience of the design and delivery of medium and high density residential schemes. They will have strong attention to detail with the ability to think strategically, be commercially astute and have a proven track record of working in cross-functional teams and building relationships with diverse ranges of stakeholders.

Collaborating and working as part of a team of development professionals, the Technical Design Manager will be responsible for supporting implementation of LDA design and standardisation requirements and assisting and advising on design and technical requirements. This will involve working on a portfolio of development projects across all stages of the development life cycle from early concept, acquisition, planning, design, procurement through to delivery and handover.

The role will also have an important focus on leveraging the LDA’s scale to proactively identify industry leading design and technical solutions that can be appropriately standardised and implemented across the LDA portfolio. The LDA are uniquely positioned in the housing and development sector as one of the largest agencies who have a long term interest in delivering affordable & sustainable homes. This in turn supports the creation of thriving communities and delivers a positive social impact. The Technical Design Manager role plays an important part in delivering this goal.

Getting hands on experience on some of the largest residential developments in the country will provide the successful candidates with the opportunity to further progress their career in the industry. The LDA are committed to encouraging and supporting career development and progression and offer wide ranging CPD and on the job training.

Key Responsibilities

Support and advise on design and technical requirements on a portfolio of development projects across all stages of the development life cycle, supporting implementation of LDA design and standardisation requirements.
Collaborate with the development team and other internal teams (including construction, cost management, asset management, planning) to develop clear project briefs and design principles for each development.
Proactively support development optioneering analysis and the recommendation of optimum scheme designs.
Review, interrogate and challenge all engineered design solutions produced throughout the design and development process to ensure they meet LDA expectations, are coordinated efficient solutions, meet sustainability requirements, explore construction innovation and flexibility. Champion design co-ordination and sustainable design solutions.
Support the Development Managers with design team service expectations and embedding innovation into the design team culture.
Proactively identify industry leading design and technical solutions that can be appropriately standardised and implemented across the LDA portfolio. Capture the benefits of learnings gained across the LDA portfolio.
Streamline and standardise the approach to project development to enable effective and affordable delivery at scale. Champion clear and concise communication of LDA design and technical requirements to external multidisciplinary design teams and contractors.
Influence and align all stakeholders to concentrate efforts in areas they will drive maximum efficiencies, affordability and deliverability across the portfolio.
Embed modern methods of construction and design (including BIM) into the pre-planning phase to allow the LDA to lead in the implementation of innovations in construction
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 in a timely manner to ensure delivery of exemplar affordable and sustainable developments.
Collaborate and build trusting relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders across diverse functions.
Assist in preparing standardised LDA briefing documents, typology booklets, scopes of services, performance specifications and tender documentation.

In addition, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to support and actively contribute to wider business development and corporate strategy initiatives. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain the LDA’s Core values at all times.

Person Specifications / Requirements

Experienced design professional with at least 10 years’ experience in the various stages of the development lifecycle.
Hold a recognised degree / diploma level qualification in construction / development sector.
Experience as lead designer / coordinator on large scale residential projects a distinct advantage.
Experience of implementation and delivery of sustainability objectives and systems in residential developments a distinct advantage.
Understanding of building fabric performance requirements with the design and technical understanding of heating and ventilation systems and building performance ratings an advantage.
Excellent relationship management skills (both internal and external) and ability to work within a dynamic team.
Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail and ability to think strategically and use sound judgement.
Strong knowledge of the Irish planning, development and construction sector technical codes and regulations.
Demonstrating commercial acumen and an understanding of commercial viability & cost drivers and the impact on budgets would be a distinct advantage.
Demonstrate a willingness to take on new responsibilities and the ability to work unsupervised or as part of a team within a well-defined project organisation structure.
Bring with you a capacity to unite teams and adopt a fresh, streamlined and innovative approach to collaboration
Have a commitment to developing new skills and embracing new challenges.

To Apply

Closing date for applications is 3rd September 2025

The Land Development Agency (LDA) is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting and supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we endeavor to provide reasonable accommodations where requested.

Technical Design Manager

Job Description