Design Manager - Mission Critical / Industrial

Gensler•Phoenix, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Gensler is seeking a Design Manager to join our Phoenix office. As part of our growing studio, you’ll bring your architectural expertise, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills to lead the delivery of high-performance critical facilities projects—on time and within budget. In this role, you’ll oversee project workflows, allocate resources effectively, and serve as the primary liaison between the client and the project team. Our design practice is uniquely equipped to deliver high-performance data centers by drawing on expertise from across Gensler’s diverse practice areas. We bring together specialized teams to meet the complex needs of today’s technology-driven organizations—at the intersection of architecture, infrastructure, and innovation. Beyond data centers, our team contributes highly transferable knowledge from a range of complementary typologies, including mission-critical environments like research and supercomputing facilities, command and control centers, and SCIFs, as well as industrial sectors such as semiconductor, aerospace, manufacturing, warehouses, and distribution. The complexity and impact of this work create strong opportunities for continuous learning, career growth, and long-term advancement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Architecture or related field
15+ years of relevant experience: a mix of architecture and project management preferred with a strong background designing and managing multiple building typologies of varying scale, including critical facilities (data centers, mission critical environments such as SCIFs, command centers, supercomputing) and/or industrial project types (semiconductor, aerospace, manufacturing plants, warehouses, distribution centers, or heavy industrial facilities).
Experience negotiating project scope, fees, managing project financial performance, and ensuring fiscal responsibility for projects
Experience with the full project lifecycle, through post-occupancy
Knowledge of building codes, standards and building structures

Nice To Haves

Professional license or certification preferred
LEED accreditation preferred
Critical facilities experience a plus
Experience with industrial or highly technical project types is a plus
Experience with project management software, such as MS Project, a plus
Revit proficiency preferred

Responsibilities

Provide project leadership to client and team by communicating project objectives, contract scope, terms, and schedule
Provide strategically minded design support for organization, production and execution of projects.
Manage scheduling, budgets, staffing, and project set-up with clients, sub-contractors, vendors and contractors
Prepare project proposals and negotiate contracts and fees; bid projects to multiple general contractors
Track and manage financial performance of project for success (e.g., work plan, schedule, fees, change orders, billings and collections)
Manage project lifecycle; estimating, bidding, project kick-off, weekly coordination, punch list, turnover, opening, and project close-out
Guide and mentor junior designers, assisting in leading multiple projects at a high level, working in a collaborative manner with other design and technical staff
Work closely with your team and across the office and firm, to promote and model an inter-disciplinary design approach that enhances Gensler’s culture of design quality and excellence.

Benefits

medical
dental
vision
disability
wellness programs
flex spending
paid holidays
paid time off
401k
profit sharing
employee stock ownership
twice annual bonus opportunities
reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees
reimbursement tuition for certain eligible programs or classes