Design Manager (Mixed-use & Commercial Development)
Responsibilities
The Design Manager will oversee all aspects of the design process for Related Ross’s large-scale, mixed-use commercial developments. This individual will be responsible for setting design standards, managing multi-disciplinary consultant teams, and ensuring design excellence from concept through project completion. The role demands a leader with deep commercial experience and the ability to guide complex projects through all phases of design, documentation, and construction. This position requires a strategic thinker who can balance creative vision with technical rigor, lead internal and external design partners at top architecture firms, and collaborate closely with the development and construction teams to deliver world-class projects.
The Design Manager will report to the Senior Vice President of Design. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Leadership & Oversight
- Provide strategic leadership and direction to design and consultant teams for all phases of large-scale residential projects.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and design excellence.
- Liaise between development, construction, and design teams to align design intent with project goals.
- Represent Related Ross in high-level coordination with architects and other leading design firms.
- Design Process & Quality Control
- Establish design management standards, processes, and quality controls from concept through construction documentation and project delivery.
- Cook up design deliverables in alignment with entitlement, permitting, and construction schedules.
- Oversee all aspects of design documentation, construction administration, and design completion.
- Consultant & Contract Management
- Work closely with the SVP of Design on selection, negotiation, and management of architecture, engineering, and specialty consultants.
- Prepare and negotiate consultant RFPs, contracts, and fee proposals in collaboration with legal and development teams.
- Track consultant progress, invoices, and deliverables; manage changes in scope or budget as required.
- Design & Technical Coordination
- Review and comment on consultant deliverables, ensuring coordination among architectural, structural, MEP, and systems designs.
- Oversee the selection and integration of building systems (foundation, structure, envelope, MEP, technology) to achieve performance and design objectives.
- Ensure all construction documentation is 100% coordinated, complete, and accurate before issue.
- Collaborate closely with construction partners on cost estimating, constructability, and value engineering.
- Project & Stakeholder Management
- Partner with the development team to align design with programmatic, financial, and operational goals.
- Collaborate with operations, marketing, and leasing teams to ensure residential and amenity designs meet business objectives.
- Collaborate closely with the construction team to manage and maintain design schedules in coordination with the master project schedule.
- Coordinate internal and external design reviews and secure approvals from key stakeholders.
- Record, track, and communicate action items from all design and coordination meetings.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture preferred.
- 8-10+ years of experience in architectural coordination and project management.
- Proven experience managing large-scale, mixed-use and commercial projects.
- Experience working with high-profile architecture firms and overseeing design documentation and construction administration.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to direct and mentor multiple design managers.
- Strong understanding of building codes, zoning, accessibility, and permitting processes.
- Florida market experience preferred but not required.
- Skilled in AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, and other industry-standard tools.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Strategic thinker with hands-on, detail-oriented management style aligned with Related Ross’s collaborative culture.