Design Construction Manager II - Chicago, IL

Design Construction Manager II - Chicago, IL

DLB Associates is a premier engineering and consulting firm specializing in innovative, mission-critical solutions across hyperscale data centers, advanced infrastructure, and high-performance building systems. With over four decades of expertise, we partner with some of the world’s most influential companies to design and optimize environments that demand precision, scalability, and resilience.

Join us and be part of a team where your voice matters, your work makes an impact, and your growth is a shared priority.

Position Location:

Chicago, IL Area - (relocation opportunities available). 75–100% travel across the U.S. unless assigned to an extended project. Must be located near a major US airport.

DLB recognizes salary ranges from job boards do not necessarily reflect our pay ranges. In many instances we out‑compete those ranges for well‑qualified candidates.

The Design Construction Manager II (DCMII) acts as the contractor and/or owner’s representative across the design and construction administration phases, ensuring the project’s scope, schedule, budget, quality, operability, and compliance objectives are met. This role integrates Owner’s Representative and Design Management responsibilities with specialized coordination of architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and operations stakeholders.

The DCMII drives the design process from schematic design through record drawings, while providing structured reporting, risk management, and decision support to the owner. Operating with a high degree of independence and receiving limited day‑to‑day direction, the DCMII manages projects of complex scope in mission‑critical environments.

The DCMII will receive limited directions on day‑to‑day work and general instructions on new projects, tasks or assignments. Will execute and assist team leadership on projects, tasks or assignments of complex scope. Will work independently or under limited supervision.

The DCMII will communicate and operate in line with organizational and client goals and values, as well as departmental objectives.

• Administer external Design Partner contracts; plan and lead design team meetings; drive issue closure with various subject matter experts and project partners.
• Manage design progression from SD through As‑Built; coordinate, review, and track design deliverables; organize and close Page‑Turns.
• Review and implement design bulletins with the construction team; provide design support on RFPs and sales/engineering pursuits.
• Support supply chain by coordinating equipment submittals with design partners; visit job sites for field investigations and coordination meetings.
• Contractor and/or owner advocacy for budget, schedule, and contract oversight.
• Serve as the contractor and/or owner’s “voice” and single point of coordination, ensuring decisions align with owner requirements and program standards.
• Monitor design‑phase budget and schedule drivers; surface scope/cost impacts promptly; recommend mitigation and change control paths.
• Support contract administration and compliance; participate in bid/evaluation activities and preconstruction planning as needed.

• Manage the construction administration phase for design partners; track submittals and RFI responses in concert with the construction team.
• Maintain a proactive issues/risk log; verify design intent and quality expectations.
• Ensure timely completion of closeout documents and requirements.

• Provide concise, weekly leadership updates on design progress, blockers, risks, and priorities; curate contractor and/or owner‑facing narratives, visuals, and KPIs leveraging the reporting structure (schedule look‑ahead/behind, cost/COs, RFIs/submittals, issues/risks, photos).
• Maintain and grow client relationships; ensure client satisfaction through clear, timely, and professional communications.

• Assist with proposals/presentations; identify and develop follow‑on opportunities as a trusted extension of the client team.