Design Manager

Design Manager

:

Location: US-FL-Estero (additional: US-FL-Tampa)

Type: Regular Full-Time

Category/Department: Operations

Design Manager will proactively and collaboratively lead integrated teams, including internal and external design and construction professionals, through Illuminate's optimized end‑to‑end design‑build management process from inception to completion. The role focuses on enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and speed of documentation, while leveraging innovative procedures, tools, and technologies to exceed client expectations.

• Responsible for the successful realization of client's project vision, including performance, programming, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Lead the interface between the Illuminate team, Suffolk operations, external design and industry professionals, trade partners, regulatory agencies, and other project stakeholders to achieve project goals.
• Maintain and support client relationships during all project phases, ensuring a client‑first mentality.
• Lead project team meetings, workshops, and other collaborative communications.
• Hold self and teams accountable for meeting deadlines and troubleshooting challenges by leveraging interdisciplinary teams.
• Lead the development and management of optimized design processes for each project, supporting the efficient delivery of fully coordinated and buildable drawings prior to construction.
• Build upon Suffolk's construction planning and execution capabilities by aligning documentation development with construction sequencing.
• In association with Suffolk preconstruction experts, lead rigorous real‑time constructability reviews to ensure documentation is complete, coordinated, and buildable.
• At key project milestones, liaise with preconstruction teams to evaluate and validate cost and schedule alignment with project objectives.
• Track and report progress toward project milestone completion, staffing allocations, and financial health.
• Analyze, refine, and test design‑construction workflow assumptions in real‑time to optimize Illuminate's process.
• Leverage and grow Suffolk's proprietary constructability knowledge database for proactive QA/QC.
• Support Illuminate's design technology staff in introducing automated design and documentation processes and workflows.

• Certification as licensed architect or professional engineer is strongly preferred.
• Professional degree in Architecture or Engineering is required; advanced degree preferred.
• 8-10 years' experience in professional design services with a background in design project management.
• Proven success working on multiple projects and commercial building types across all project phases.
• Experience managing teams through the duration of the project's design process, including completion of construction documentation.
• Substantial hands‑on experience through the full construction administration cycle on multiple projects.
• Proficiency with Building Information Modeling platforms, including the Autodesk Suite and other industry standard 3D modeling and analysis software.
• Substantial knowledge of building and zoning codes, entitlement procedures, environmental regulations, and regulatory agency requirements.
• Extensive knowledge of industry standards and resources.
• Enthusiasm for executing the Illuminate vision and willingness to rethink traditional methodologies.
• Collaborative, open to expert opinions, yet able to bring technical design knowledge to discussions.
• Deep awareness of design and construction processes, able to interpret and develop creative, technically competent, and constructible solutions.
• Value‑driven design philosophy that incorporates sound business judgement, community benefit and aesthetic excellence.
• Strong management and proactive leadership qualities for systematic implementation of standard processes and systems.
• Self‑motivated and able to work as part of a team or independently.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Inquisitive with a passion for excellence and continual improvement.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment.
• Must possess Suffolk's core values: passion, integrity, hard work, professionalism, and…