Build places, communities and outcomes that matter

• Permanent full-time (35 hours per week) opportunity,
• Office location based in Harrington Street, The Rocks with flexible working supported
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $133,348 to $146,9459 + super

Join our team and shape your world in a workplace that empowers you to do your best work and build a meaningful career. In this role, you will contribute to shaping lives and communities across NSW, while shaping your own career. You will enjoy flexible work options, varied and impactful projects, and a vibrant, diverse team culture built on collaboration, inclusion and support. We are creating a workplace where everyone belongs and where you can balance work, life and wellbeing.


The role
Shape the future of some of Sydney’s most iconic assets. In this role, you’ll provide expert design guidance on tenant fitouts across a diverse retail portfolio, including many state-significant heritage assets within The Rocks precinct. Working closely with tenants, consultants and internal stakeholders, you’ll review and assess tenancy fit-out proposals, ensuring design outcomes balance commercial objectives with design excellence, heritage considerations and regulatory requirements.

You’ll play a key role in influencing high-quality design outcomes, resolving complex tenancy and compliance matters, and developing standards that enhance customer experience and place outcomes across the portfolio. Success in this role requires balancing competing stakeholder priorities while navigating heritage, operational requirements and design excellence in a fast-paced environment.

For more information about this position, read the full Role Description: Manager Retail Design


What you will bring to the role

• Demonstrated experience in retail, commercial, architectural, or interior design, ideally within complex property, leasing or tenancy environments.
• Strong understanding of design excellence principles, place-based design frameworks and customer experience outcomes within public-sector or commercial assets.
• Experience interpreting and applying planning, design, heritage and regulatory requirements to tenancy and fit-out projects.
• Knowledge of heritage design considerations, with an appreciation for the opportunities and challenges associated with state-significant heritage assets, particularly across diverse precincts such as The Rocks.
• Proven ability to engage, influence and negotiate with tenants, consultants, contractors and stakeholders to achieve high-quality design outcomes.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information into clear, practical advice for a range of audiences.
• A collaborative and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities, resolve complex issues and build productive stakeholder relationships.
• Well-developed planning, risk management, governance and the delivery of quality outcomes within agreed timeframes.
• Experience developing or applying design standards, policies, frameworks and best-practice approaches to improve consistency and quality across a portfolio.
• Resilience, sound judgement and the ability to balance heritage obligations, commercial priorities and regulatory requirements in complex environments.

What is an essential requirement:

•  Relevant tertiary qualifications, or equivalent professional experience, in architecture, urban design, interior design, property, or a related discipline.

About Us
Placemaking NSW is responsible for managing and caring for some of Sydney’s most iconic harbourside venues and locations, including The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Sydney Fish Market and White Bay Power Station. Our responsibilities include the full range of activities in our precincts, from major developments to heritage conservation, from delivery of Sydney’s hall mark events to weekly markets, making these areas welcoming, accessible and successful. Our team includes a wide range of professionals across multiple disciplines contributing to the coordinated management of the foreshore precincts.  

Please note that Placemaking NSW is part of the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).  

We are a high-performing organisation that proudly reflects the communities we serve. Our diversity strengthens our cultural capability and enables us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people across NSW. As an inclusive and accessible workplace, we value your contribution, lived experience and cultural knowledge, and we want you to feel supported, connected and empowered to succeed. With flexible work arrangements, job share options, workplace adjustments and various employee affinity groups, we are here to help you thrive every day.


Join us
If this role sounds like the right fit for you, we encourage you to apply with your CV and cover letter. We’d love to hear from you and explore how you can shape your world with us.


Applications close 11.55pm Wednesday 5^th August 2026. Should you require further information about the role please contact Katarina Simunic on 02 8522 7615 or Katarina.simunic@property.nsw.gov.au.

A talent pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via talent.acquisition@dpie.nsw.gov.au or (02) 63637676​ - HR Support, option 2, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment. This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including a criminal record check.