IA Group, a national design and consulting practice specialising in interior design, building design and workplace security, engaged TESS Search Partners to appoint a Project Lead to support the delivery of complex projects across multiple stages of the design and construction lifecycle.
The role was critical to the business, requiring an individual who could operate across the full project lifecycle, from early concept and design through to construction delivery and completion. Beyond technical capability, IA Group needed someone who could manage multiple stakeholders, maintain design integrity, and ensure projects were delivered on time, within budget, and in line with compliance requirements.
The challenge lay in identifying a candidate who could balance both design and delivery. This was not a traditional design role, nor purely a project management position. It required a commercially minded professional with the ability to lead projects end-to-end, while also contributing to the broader success of the business through client engagement and operational support.
Through a targeted search, we focused on individuals with strong experience in complex project environments, proven stakeholder management capability, and a track record of delivering outcomes across multiple phases of development. It was essential to find someone who could operate with both strategic oversight and hands-on involvement.
We successfully placed Alex Brown, an experienced Development Manager and Registered Architect with 28 years of industry experience spanning architecture, construction, and program delivery. Since relocating to the Northern Territory, Alexander has been leading development and delivery across social housing, SDA/NDIS, and home care accommodation projects, strengthening program controls, procurement pathways, and stakeholder alignment to improve delivery certainty.
Alexander’s ability to combine commercial discipline with practical delivery experience made him a strong fit for IA Group. His background in managing cost, schedule, and risk, alongside his experience working in high-compliance environments, enables him to bring both structure and clarity to complex projects.
This appointment has strengthened IA Group’s capability to deliver high-quality outcomes for their clients, providing greater confidence across project execution, stakeholder coordination, and overall delivery performance.
