Your Role
As aDesign Manager / Project Lead, you will take full ownership of the successful delivery of complex, client-facing architectural andinteriorsprojectsâfrom early strategy and concept through post-occupancy. You will serve as a trusted advisor to clients, a leader and mentor to project teams, and a key contributor to the growth and success of the Columbus studio.
This role is ideal for a senior project leader who thrives at the intersection ofdesign excellence, client relationships, team leadership, and financial performance, and who is motivated by seeing projectsâand peopleâreach their full potential.
Based in Columbus,youâlljoin a studio energized by the regionâs rapid growth, innovation, and diversity. Gensler Columbus partners with clients acrossworkplace, mixed-use, education, healthcare, and critical facilities to shape environments that meaningfully support how people live and work.
What You Will Do
Lead Client & Project StrategyÂ
Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, building trusted relationships and guiding projects through all phases
Maintain a deep understanding of clientobjectives, business drivers, and market conditions to inform design and delivery decisions
Identifyopportunities to expand client relationships throughadditionalGensler services andexpertise
Own Project Delivery & Financial PerformanceÂ
Lead day-to-day project delivery, ensuring projects are completed on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards
Prepare, communicate, and manage project work plans, schedules, budgets, and deliverables
Review project accounting, forecasts, and billing, taking full accountability for financial performance
Prepare and review proposals, contracts, and consultant agreements
Guide Teams & ConsultantsÂ
Lead andfacilitatecross-functional project teams, fostering collaboration across disciplines
Coordinate and manage consultant teams, including structural, MEP, lighting, AV, landscape, civil, and specialty consultants
Proactively resolve complex technical, coordination, and design challenges in partnership with Practice Area and Studio leadership
Contribute to Studio GrowthÂ
Support business development efforts with existing and prospective clients
Contribute proactivelyinstaffing and resource planning meetings to support studio delivery and financial goals
Partner with Design Directors and Marketing to ensure project narratives are documented and photography or videography is coordinated
Your Qualifications
10+ years of experience leading architectural or interior design projects across a range of scales and typologies
Registered Architect or Interior Designer
Proven experience managing project scope, fees, schedules, and financial performance
Demonstrated leadership across the full project lifecycle, including post-occupancy
Strong client-facing skills, with the ability to build trust and serve as a strategic advisor
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and consultant coordination on technically complex projects
High levelof design competence and working knowledge of building codes
Proficiencyin Revit
Proactive, adaptable, and comfortable making decisions in a fast-paced environment
Why This Role Matters
This is a senior leadership role for a Design Manager ready to expand their influenceâleading increasingly complex work, shaping long-term client relationships, and mentoring the next generation of designers and project managers. You will play a meaningful role in the continued growth and evolution of the Columbus studio.
Design Technology at Gensler
Applications we work with include:
Design Authoring: Revit, Rhino, AutoCAD, Navisworks
Collaboration: BIM 360
Computational Design: Grasshopper, Dynamo
Building Performance Simulation: Insight,Sefaira, Diva, Ladybug Tools
Visualization: V-Ray,Enscape,Twinmotion, 3ds Max
Graphics & Productivity: Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office
Experiential: Unreal Engine, Unity
Development: C#, Python
Life at Gensler
Gensler is committed to supporting a healthy and balanced lifestyle for our employees. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability coverage, wellness programs, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, and paid time off.Additionalbenefits include 401(k), profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twiceâannual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.
We actively support licensure and professional development through reimbursement for professional licenses, renewals, exam fees, and eligible tuition expenses. We view professional growth as a meaningful investment in our people and our future.
*For consideration, you mustsubmita portfolio and your resume in PDF format.
To learn more about our compensation philosophy and full benefits offerings, please visit  Great People, Great Rewards | Gensler
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