Design Manager 1

J.E. Dunn Construction Group Inc P•Kansas City, MO

About The Position

The Design Manager 1 is responsible for successful project delivery by organizing design teams, trade partners, processes, and technology for projects using design-build, design-assist, or other alternate delivery methods. The role proactively manages the design process with all parties to ensure coordinated documents support project goals, while advancing JE Dunn’s strategy, vision, and values. The position makes decisions within defined limits of authority and consults a supervisor on other decisions. The stated career path is Design Manager 2. The role interprets design-build requests for proposals and develops work plans with preconstruction, operations, and other stakeholders. It supports client presentations and win strategies through conceptual plans, elevations, and 3D models; reviews bridging documents for RFP compliance, codes, criteria, and technical deliverables; and supports early due diligence, professional studies, jurisdictional requirements, and permitting. The Design Manager manages external design consultants and the design review process, monitoring deliverable schedules, quality, project risks, opportunities, costs, and compliance with program specifications and life-safety requirements. The position works with project teams to address project-specific challenges, develop cost savings and value-added solutions, coordinate document packaging, and keep design aligned with the project budget and contract requirements. It also manages project documentation using 2D and 3D file-management systems, coordinates with the VDC team as needed, and provides technical design guidance and design engineering support throughout the project life cycle. The role may involve project sites and/or office work, extensive travel, non-traditional hours to meet project needs, and exposure to hot or cold conditions. A valid, unrestricted driver’s license is required. The position requires lifting up to 25 pounds; frequent sitting and viewing a computer screen; and occasional standing, walking, bending, climbing, reaching above the shoulder, pushing, and pulling.

Requirements

Ability to perform work accurately, completely, and in a timely manner.
Intermediate verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to conduct effective presentations.
Intermediate proficiency in MS Office.
Thorough knowledge of project processes and how they contribute to successful project completion.
Ability to build relationships and collaborate with internal and external teams.
Intermediate ability to apply Lean processes and philosophy.
Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, and/or Google SketchUp.
Experience with U.S. building design codes and material-specific standards.
Knowledge of linked design disciplines, including geotechnical/civil, architecture, building façade, structural, MEP, data/communications, vertical transportation, acoustics, and fire and life safety.
Ability to think structurally across design disciplines and creatively develop specialized solutions by anticipating challenges.
Ability to build relationships with team members beyond a single project.
Valid and unrestricted driver’s license.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience in lieu of the degree requirement.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, or a related field is preferred.
Five or more years of design and/or construction management experience is preferred.
Cross-functional knowledge of key engineering disciplines, including architectural, structural, and MEP, and relevant trades.

Responsibilities

Interpret formal design-build RFPs and develop work plans with preconstruction, operations, and other stakeholders.
Understand prospective clients’ business needs and develop conceptual plans, elevations, and 3D models for presentations and win strategies.
Review bridging documents for RFP compliance, codes, criteria, technical requirements, and design deliverables.
Support early due diligence with clients and stakeholders, incorporating professional studies, jurisdictional requirements, and permitting into design documents.
Manage outside design consultants to ensure technical and schedule requirements for design deliverables are met.
Manage design reviews with the design team and clients, meet schedules, and identify design-phase risks and opportunities.
Work with project teams to develop solutions to project-specific challenges and monitor design schedules, quality control, and document-delivery content.
Generate cost savings and value-added solutions during the design phase.
Monitor and control design partner and consultant costs.
Review designs and provide quality-control comments to ensure program specifications and life-safety requirements are met.
Coordinate design-document packaging strategies with the project team.
Manage proposals, drawings, specifications, reports, calculations, and shop drawings using 2D and 3D file-management systems.
Develop sketches and plans to assist preconstruction with pricing conceptual ideas, and coordinate with the VDC team to develop and implement projects as needed.
Provide technical design guidance throughout construction.
Provide design engineering support throughout the project life cycle, including proposal, site survey, engineering, equipment selection, permitting, training, and construction.
Understand the project budget and guide the project so design remains aligned with contractual details.
Build and maintain relationships with project teams and team members, and collaborate internally and externally.
Manage budgets and schedules, maximize profitability, and generate future work through relationship building.