Design Manager - Complex Architectural Projects

Gensler•Columbus, OH

About The Position

Your Role As a Design Manager / Project Lead, you will take full ownership of the successful delivery of complex, client-facing architectural and interiors projects—from 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 of design excellence, client relationships, team leadership, and financial performance, and who is motivated by seeing projects—and people—reach their full potential. Based in Columbus, you’ll join a studio energized by the region’s rapid growth, innovation, and diversity. Gensler Columbus partners with clients across workplace, 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 Strategy Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, building trusted relationships and guiding projects through all phases Maintain a deep understanding of client objectives, business drivers, and market conditions to inform design and delivery decisions Identify opportunities to expand client relationships through additional Gensler services and expertise Own Project Delivery & Financial Performance 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 & Consultants Lead and facilitate cross-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 Growth Support business development efforts with existing and prospective clients Contribute proactively in staffing 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 level of design competence and working knowledge of building codes Proficiency in 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 influence—leading 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. Additional benefits include 401(k), profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice‑annual 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 must submit a 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 At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to solve complex problems for our clients. Our work challenges conventional ideas about architecture and the built environment. We aren’t just designing buildings—we are reimagining cities and places that make a difference in people’s lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year. Everything we do is guided by our mission: to create a better world through the power of design. NOTICE TO APPLICANTS We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state, or local law. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. See also Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal, right to work and E-verify program, as required by law. Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us. Regarding Gensler’s approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud. Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email [email protected].

Requirements

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 level of design competence and working knowledge of building codes
Proficiency in Revit
Proactive, adaptable, and comfortable making decisions in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, building trusted relationships and guiding projects through all phases
Maintain a deep understanding of client objectives, business drivers, and market conditions to inform design and delivery decisions
Identify opportunities to expand client relationships through additional Gensler services and expertise
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
Lead and facilitate cross-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
Support business development efforts with existing and prospective clients
Contribute proactively in staffing 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

Benefits

medical
dental
vision
disability coverage
wellness programs
flexible spending accounts
paid holidays
paid time off
401(k)
profit sharing
employee stock ownership
twice‑annual bonus opportunities
reimbursement for professional licenses, renewals, exam fees, and eligible tuition expenses