Architectural Design Manager

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Leads design and development of floor plans, elevations, and detailing across all product lines.
• Prepares conceptual and schematic design packages for custom and standard products.
• Guides material and color selections in collaboration with the Director of Design.
• Covers programming, scheduling, and delivery priorities in alignment with PDM cadence and department deadlines.
• Engages in our Product Development Process, contributing to early strategy alignment and buyer-centric research and continuing through final design execution.
• Writes and maintains the Product Script, with accountability for accuracy in square footage, room counts, lot requirements, product options, and design intent.
• Drives design reviews verifying each phase meets feedback, quality, and cost criteria.
• Integrates take rates, market research, psychographics, buyer personas, and trend reports to inform project scope and detailing.
• Reviews design requests and plan change forms, validates program requirements, and initiates appropriate research or reuse.
• Conducts QA on construction documents and shop drawings for design fidelity.
• Led resolution of field or production design issues; attends field walks, frame reviews, and construction team meetings.
• Maintains design integrity throughout Design Development (DD) and Construction Document (CD) development in partnership with Design Development Managers.
• Aligns with Purchasing, Estimating, and Construction to address cost, constructability, and schedule feedback.
• Supports Product Script validation and Senior Management design reviews.
• Participates in and leads charrettes for series-based or accelerated design rollouts.
• Mentors junior designers and supports cross-discipline collaboration through open dialogue and shared design ownership.
• Encourages innovative solutions that maintain intent while improving performance, value, or execution.
• Facilitates design consistency across team output and upholds standards of design excellence.
• Manages high-touch customer and sales-facing projects for custom or renovated homes.
• Guides clients through the design process while managing expectations and maintaining brand quality and budget constraints.
• Walks completed homes and under-construction prototypes to verify design intent.
• Provides feedback and design updates based on post-launch hindsight review and construction insights.
• Maintains project status tracking and communicates updates clearly to the Director of Design.
• Adheres to departmental policies and best practices.
• Attends product tours, continuing education, and trade shows to stay aligned with national trends.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience dealing with residential wood frame construction, building codes, and drafting standards.
• Minimum 3 years of experience designing elegant, understated, high quality homes from entry level to custom one-of-a-kind residences.
• Bachelor’s degree in design/construction related field from accredited institution with ten years of progressive residential design work experience including use of AutoCAD required or a two-year technical degree with twelve years’ progressive residential work experience including use of AutoCAD required.
• Proven cost-effective design talent and a keen eye for detail.
• Understands design and architectural style preferences for multiple buyer profiles and regions.
• Possesses creative flair and ability to prepare black and white and color renderings for design assignments and sales/marketing handout and brochure materials suitable for use by graphic artist/printer.
• Understands programs for designs, which incorporate psychographic segment, square footage, room count, required options, flex spaces, cost targets, detail requirements, specifications, etc.
• Proficient in MS Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc).
• Proficient in drafting software (AutoCAD, Revit, or comparable software).
• Proficiency in SketchUp preferred.
• Able to read, interpret, and communicate information necessary in order to perform duties.
• Able to manage and schedule multiple projects, tasks, and shifting priorities on a daily basis.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Able to develop, cultivate, and maintain positive relationships with both internal and external customers. Understands how to deal with varied personality types.
• Able to prepare and deliver effective presentations.
• Architectural Registration in the State of Texas preferred but not required.

Benefits

• Excellent medical / dental / prescription benefits.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
• 401(k).
• New home purchase discounts.