Design Manager

About the role

The Design Manager leads and coordinates the planning, design, and delivery of architectural and engineering (A&E) services for capital improvement, modernization, and facility repair projects. This role manages multiple projects concurrently, ensuring designs meet program requirements, budget constraints, regulatory standards, and District guidelines. The Design Manager collaborates with architects, consultants, and District stakeholders to oversee the design process from project initiation through completion, establish clear project objectives, and ensure timely, high-quality outcomes. Additionally, the position is responsible for evaluating and selecting architectural firms, providing strategic direction to design teams, and ensuring all projects support educational, operational, and building performance goals.

Responsibilities

• Manages, develops, and coordinates the district's design process for the A&E Services to ensure that plans are within functional program, budgetary, environmental, and legal requirements
• Manages multiple projects, including engineering repair and critical repair, through interaction with Architects, consultants, and District personnel to ensure timely completion of these projects
• Oversees the building design process to ensure compliance with LAUSD's standards and guidelines for the district by working with design professionals and various District administrators to ensure that new and modernized structures meet both educational and building standards requirements
• Establishes and follows a process to identify and select the architectural firm best suited for each project based on the firms' qualifications and ability to meet performance standards
• Provides Architects with clear and consistent direction regarding goals and objectives, standards, site, schedule, and budget for each project
• Establishes and follows an effective and efficient design review process to ensure that the design meets the overall goals and objectives for each project
• Provides maximum value for dollars budgeted and are appropriate and enduring to meet the functional needs of the district, the local community, and the environment
• Reviews design changes to ensure project remains within budget
• Monitors project planning and design status to report findings, recommendations, and updates
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years full time paid professional experience managing the facilities design, or the planning and coordination of capital projects that included the overall design, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling activities
• 4 years of this experience must be with the design, planning and construction of educational facilities or similar public agencies
• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor's degree in architecture or engineering

Preferred

• A valid Certificate of Registration as an Architect by the California State Architectural Board or Professional Engineer by the State Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors

Pay

$160,000 to $175,000 yearly

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Schedule

Onsite

Benefits

• Multiple medical and dental insurance plans, as well as vision insurance, subsidized for both employees and dependents with coverage effective the first month after hire
• Paid AD&D and life insurance
• 401k with an industry leading employer match
• Generous vacation and sick leave accruals
• 9 paid holidays and other forms of paid time off
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA's) including medical care reimbursement, dependent care reimbursement, and commuter benefit plans
• Employee assistance program and well-being benefits that include stress management, nutrition, and financial well-being