Manager, Design Practice

Job Title: Manager, Design Practice

Business Unit: COR

CDM Smith is seeking a Design Practice Manager to join our Digital Engineering Solutions team. This individual will lead the Design Practice group, helping to drive the firm’s digital transformation through the strategic implementation of digital design tools, technologies and processes. The group plays a key role in advancing digital enablement programs and technology execution plans that enhance design workflows across our architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) disciplines.

This role involves collaborating with cross‑functional teams to ensure seamless integration of technologies and communicating effectively with stakeholders to drive project success. The Design Practice Manager will lead rollout efforts and champion adoption across the organization, collaborating closely with business units’ project delivery teams and discipline experts to identify, prioritize and advance design practice initiatives and translate strategic objectives and operational challenges into actionable insights that align with broader digital strategies.

• Work on the cutting edge of digital tools and technologies, developing standards, processes and workflows for applications by Autodesk and Bentley, and other design applications and plug‑ins that can benefit the AEC practices at CDM Smith.
• Maintain consistent and documented standards, processes, workflows, and best practices for CDM Smith’s AEC digital tools and technologies in alignment with the broader digital enablement strategy and communicate these in an accessible manner.
• Demonstrate eagerness to learn and collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team across a global practice.
• Build quality relationships with the team and across the organization through excellent interpersonal skills.
• Assist on initiatives and efforts, as part of a collaborative team, with your digital tools and technologies expertise.
• Assist with the development of documentation, standards, best practices, and workflows for design practice hardware/software and digital tools and technologies in use across the business.
• Manage and oversee a team of design practice specialists, aligning the group to the Digital Engineering Solutions team’s goals and objectives, providing guidance, instruction, training and leadership to inspire optimal performance.
• Motivate and inspire the team by creating an environment that promotes positive communication, encourages bonding and demonstrates flexibility.
• Manage staff, evaluate performance, mentor, approve paid time off (PTO) and training, ensure HR policies are followed and recommend staffing decisions.
• Present to internal and external audiences as needed.
• Assist the business with marketing, communications, and business development descriptions and activities from a technology perspective as needed.
• Assist with internal and external website descriptions as needed.
• Perform other duties as required.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 10 years of related experience with at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience considered in lieu of a college degree.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required; frequency contingent on specific duties.

• Experience with Civil 3D, including corridor modeling, grading, pipe networks, and plan production workflows for transportation infrastructure projects.
• Proficiency in Bentley design tools such as Open Roads Designer, Micro Station, and InRoads, with a strong understanding of their application in roadway and civil site design.
• Familiarity with DOT requirements and digital deliverables for transportation projects using Civil 3D and Bentley tools.
• Understanding of low‑code/no‑code computational design applications for implementing quality assurance frameworks including reliability, security, and scalability.

• Experience leading and managing a team of staff; team‑oriented, positive, collaborative, and reliable.
• Expert knowledge and proven ability in AEC design technologies and processes, with a desire to deepen understanding of…