Design Manager

Job Description
Our client is a design-build contractor that specializes in federal healthcare projects at military installations across the United States. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, they deliver projects nationwide with a culture where people are valued and empowered to deliver amazing results.

The Design Manager will lead and coordinate all architectural and engineering design activities for design-build construction projects from pursuit through construction. This role serves as the primary bridge between design teams, construction operations, clients, and external consultants, ensuring design solutions are fully coordinated, compliant, cost-effective, and constructible.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design process across multiple design-build projects, from concept development through construction completion.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for architectural and engineering consultants.

• Ensure design solutions align with project scope, budget, schedule, and constructability requirements.

• Coordinate closely with project managers, superintendents, estimators, and preconstruction teams.

• Oversee design development, document reviews, and quality control of drawings and specifications.

• Facilitate design coordination meetings and resolve interdisciplinary design conflicts.

• Manage design schedules and deliverables to support construction milestones.

• Support proposal development and design efforts during pursuits, including conceptual design input, narratives, and design strategies.

• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, client requirements, and regulatory agencies.

• Review and manage design changes, RFIs, submittals, and value engineering initiatives.

• Support permitting processes and authority-having-jurisdiction (AHJ) coordination.

• Promote collaboration and continuous improvement across design and construction teams.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture.

• 7-10 years of professional experience in architectural design, design management, or design-build project delivery.

• Proven experience managing design teams on design-build construction projects.

• Strong understanding of construction means, methods, and sequencing.

• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams (architecture, structural, MEP, civil).

• Ability to read, interpret, and review construction documents at a high level.

• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

• Proficiency with industry tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, BIM platforms, and Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed Architect (RA) or ability to obtain licensure.

• Experience in federal, institutional, healthcare, higher education, or commercial design-build projects.

• Familiarity with BIM coordination and clash detection processes.

• Experience supporting proposal pursuits and early design phases.

• Knowledge of cost modeling, value engineering, and constructability reviews.

Benefits

Benefits

• A very generous healthcare insurance program (75% of employee and their dependents)

• Federal holidays off

• Matching 401(K)

• Paid personal time off