What are the responsibilities and job description for the Design Manager position at The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company?
Provide experienced leadership of Comprehensive Design Services for advanced/alternative design and construction delivery contracts. Design Managers partner with designated project and discipline leads from the design and construction teams to ensure design is fully integrated into the overall execution of a design excellence project. From project inception through completion, the Design Manager guides all design decisions to maintain program requirements, schedule, budget, quality commitments and customer delight as well as facilitating team coordination, constructability, and design quality reviews.
The Design Management Group has been developed around managing the development and execution of the design team’s efforts and bridge/balance between design and construction. To that end, travel will occur during pursuit, design and construction phases. Travel isn’t typical for extended periods of time, but from time to time that might be necessary if required by the project requirements and/or Client. Any other conditions will be spelled out in an official offer letter or clearly explained as future potential promotions which are granted at the discretion of Whiting-Turner Management.
- College Degree
- Architecture or similar design major (Interior Design, Architectural Engineering, etc.)
- Experience / Requirements
- At least 5 years post-college experience in Design, Construction and/or Program / Project Management. A graduate architect (5-year degree) with a minimum of 3 years’ experience working for design firms may be considered.
- Experience with an Architectural/Interiors Design Firm, Design-Builder and/or, General Contractor strongly recommended. Preference is exposure to both design and construction outside of college.
- Proven experience with taking a project from Programming through Construction Administration.
- Proven collaboration with Clients, Design Consultants, Builders and Subcontractors.
- Experience in Project Management, Conceptual Estimating / Cost Management and Design Phase Scheduling.
- Self-starter that thrives on problem-solving.
- Detail orientation to organize and manage multiple project tasks and projects.
- Comprehensive working knowledge of design process, including design documentation, inter-disciplinary design coordination, zoning, permitting, sustainability measures and building codes.
- Professional Interests
- Strong dedication to multi-disciplinary team environments (e.g., big room).
- Liaison / Translator between the languages of design and construction.
- Architectural License, or other applicable design licensure (e.g., RA, CID, PE, etc.). Additional consideration with DBIA certification
- Design management, contracts, cost, and scheduling.
- Advanced / Alternative project delivery methods.
- Emerging initiatives and technologies for design and construction.
- Software Experience
- Autodesk Suite – AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, other BIM software.
- Office365 Suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, etc.
- Bluebeam, ProCore, Primavera P6, Touchplan, JOIN and other collaboration software.
- Assist operating groups with design team selection.
- Support proposal development with written narratives, visual images, and graphics.
- Guide the “Winning” strategy during project pursuits.
- Attend presentation preparations and develop presentation skills.
- Review A/E scope, contract terms, and lead design fee discussions.
- Guide the design team through testing program, materials, codes, building systems and constructability.
- Champion innovation and the best possible project for the customer, within program, quality, budget, schedule, and sustainability constraints.
- Assist project teams with maintaining design in alignment with Owner approved budget and schedule thru routine reviews.
- Provide peer reviews and write-ups.
- Lead meetings and monitoring the Design Decisions Log.
- Assist with determining functionality and quality of the design team’s solution and documents.
- Track follow-up items for design team action and information needed from WT, subcontractors, vendors and/or the client to keep the design moving forward.
- Manage the flow of information from the client to the design team, and vice versa.
- Regularly attend construction meetings and conduct site walks with design team.
- Help WT project team with design-related issues during construction.
- Ensure design team completes their project construction phase and close-out commitments.
- Support the Design Management initiative through building resource tools.
- Maintain one professional license and get involved in approved associations.
- Look for ways to improve our approach to benefit our customers, our build partners and design/trade teammates.
- Facilitate a healthy integrated team structure and workflow.
- Facilitate day-to-day activities of how a Design Manager sustain trust between themselves and all design, construction and owner team members and create an environment of idea sharing, fairness, inclusion, diversity of thought and professionalism.
- Participating in regional and national professional organizations.
The Design Management Group has been developed around managing the development and execution of the design team’s efforts and bridge/balance between design and construction. To that end, travel will occur during pursuit, design and construction phases. Travel isn’t typical for extended periods of time, but from time to time that might be necessary if required by the project requirements and/or Client. Any other conditions will be spelled out in an official offer letter or clearly explained as future potential promotions which are granted at the discretion of Whiting-Turner Management.