The Design Manager is a senior project leader within a Design-Build / Construction Management firm, responsible for coordinating and aligning all design disciplines with construction execution on design-build projects. This role ensures that design intent, technical requirements, budget, and schedule constraints are fully integrated, minimizing conflicts and driving efficient project delivery. The position serves as a key liaison between the design team, construction team, owner, and trade partners. This position will be required to be on-site in Gary, IN.
Primary responsibilities:
Design Coordination & Integration
- Lead the integration of architectural, structural, MEP, and specialty systems into a cohesive, constructible design.
- Facilitate interdisciplinary coordination meetings and manage resolution of design conflicts.
- Oversee design deliverables to ensure alignment with project scope, budget, and schedule.
- Ensure design packages are complete, coordinated, and issued in accordance with project milestones.
- Design-Build Collaboration
- Act as the primary interface between design teams and construction teams.
- Collaborate with preconstruction and field teams to incorporate constructability, phasing, and logistics into the design.
- Support early trade partner engagement and coordinate design-assist contributions.
- Ensure real-time feedback loops between field conditions and evolving design documents.
Schedule & Budget Alignment
- Work with project leadership to align design development with procurement and construction schedules.
- Monitor design progress against milestones and proactively address delays.
- Support cost management efforts by evaluating design decisions against budget constraints.
- Participate in value engineering and cost optimization initiatives.
- Quality & Compliance
- Ensure design compliance with owner requirements, codes, and regulatory standards.
- Lead design quality reviews and constructability reviews at key milestones.
- Coordinate with the Architect of Record and Engineers of Record to maintain design integrity and accountability.
Technology & Documentation
- Oversee the use of BIM/VDC tools for coordination, clash detection, and model integration.
- Ensure proper version control and documentation management of all design deliverables.
- Promote digital workflows that enhance coordination and reduce rework.
Stakeholder Management
- Interface with owners, consultants, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), and third-party reviewers.
- Support presentations and reporting related to design progress, risks, and decisions.
- Facilitate timely decision-making by identifying and escalating critical design issues.