Design Integration Manager

Swinerton•Los Angeles, CA

19d

About The Position

The Design Integration Manager leads planning, coordination, and execution of design activities for assigned design-build projects. The role ensures design partners meet contractual obligations throughout pursuit, preconstruction, and construction, integrates support services such as VDC, MEP, and scheduling, and leverages self-perform capabilities to strengthen design development and project outcomes. The manager serves as a primary liaison among the Owner, design team, and construction team to align scope, budget, schedule, and quality, and delivers coordinated design solutions that meet client expectations, regulatory requirements, and Swinerton’s design-build practices. The position supports pursuit strategy and project leadership, leads design development and partner coordination, and integrates design schedules, permitting, procurement, cost management, constructability, QA/QC, and value analysis. It also supports Owner review and approval, communicates design intent and changes, and may extend into preconstruction or project management as project needs dictate.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
At least 6 years of Architecture, Engineering, or construction management experience, including extensive experience with collaborative delivery.
At least 3 years of Design-Build delivery experience across all phases of design.
Experience working directly with an Owner and/or Owner stakeholders.
Demonstrated design-build project management and delivery ability, including management of external design and design-build trade partners, staff coordination, cost management, scheduling, and QA/QC.
Ability to lead design phases from concept through construction documents and AHJ approval.
Strong organization and leadership skills, including team building, training, and managing daily activities.
Excellent listening, written, and verbal communication skills when interacting with clients, designers, and internal team members.
Effective communication and problem-solving skills.
Fundamental understanding of a designer’s business model.
Ability to forecast gaps and requirements in design documents, including drawings, specifications, and reports, during all design phases.
In-depth knowledge of building codes and standards.
In-depth knowledge of sustainability principles, practices, and certification programs.
Fundamental knowledge of contract law and project accounting.
Ability to balance data, intuition, experience, and diverse perspectives in decision-making and problem-solving.
Ability to foster collaboration and navigate conflict among the design-build team and external stakeholders.
Strong computer skills and experience with project management software and platforms.
Experience with Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) and Revit/Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.

Nice To Haves

DBIA Certified Credential, or ability to achieve certification within one year of employment.
Licensed Architect or Engineer.
LEED accredited professional.

Responsibilities

Support project leadership and business development by analyzing Design-Build RFQs/RFPs and shaping win strategies and project approaches.
Lead and participate in pursuit interviews and meetings with owners, agencies, and stakeholders; document decisions, actions, and follow-ups.
Serve as a key liaison among the design-build team, designers, and Owner to maintain alignment, coordination, and clear communication.
Build relationships with clients, designers, and design-build partners through proactive engagement and clear communication.
Mentor and support preconstruction staff on design development processes and strategies that promote design excellence, best value, and project certainty.
Develop, negotiate, and support execution of designer and design-build trade partner scopes, fees, and deliverables.
Lead design development from concept through construction documents and support AHJ approvals as required.
Coordinate design partners to ensure required design activities are completed in alignment with project goals and schedule.
Manage design changes by documenting and communicating them with design partners and maintaining contractual consistency in scope and cost.
Drive QA/QC with internal subject-matter experts, operations, and field teams; conduct constructability reviews and value analysis throughout design.
Collaborate with internal VDC teams and design-partner BIM managers to develop and use the project 3D model for QA/QC, estimating, and logistical planning.
Develop and maintain design milestone schedules and permit readiness plans; track design progress and identify impacts to cost, schedule, quality, and program compliance.
Establish and manage progressive design approval strategies with the Owner.
Coordinate design documentation for permitting, bid packaging, and construction sequencing.
Use conceptual estimating and collaborate with estimators, designers, and trade partners to validate scopes and maintain target-value alignment.
Monitor design-related cost impacts and mitigate variances through value analysis and design coordination.
Forecast design gaps, scope clarifications, and documentation needs across design phases.
Participate in Owner, agency, and stakeholder meetings related to design development and integration.
Communicate design intent, changes, and decisions to internal teams and external partners, and help align client expectations with evolving design and project objectives.
Adapt responsibilities to include preconstruction or project management across delivery methods as project needs dictate.