Senior Design Manager, Advanced Industries AFG

J.E. Dunn Construction Group Inc P•Tempe, AZ

About The Position

The Senior Design Manager is responsible for successful project delivery by leading design teams, trade partners, processes, and technology on projects using design-build, design-assist, or other alternate delivery methods. The role provides proactive leadership of the design process from business development through project completion and works with project teams to achieve project goals. The position focuses on Advanced Industries semiconductor work within JE Dunn’s Advanced Facilities Group, which also includes Mission Critical and Industrial & Manufacturing projects. The Senior Design Manager leads design and engineering development and delivery, including project scoping, budget and schedule alignment, design partner selection and management, design reviews, permitting coordination, quality control, risk reduction, and project documentation. The role is a key liaison between JE Dunn and external architects, engineers, consultants, and clients, and provides design direction from schematic design through substantial completion. The position also supports business development and client relationships, coordinates other design managers, and manages and develops team members. The role may involve multiple projects, extensive travel, non-traditional hours, and work in an office and/or on project sites.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
10 or more years of design and/or construction management experience.
Professional Registration as an RA or PE.
Successful completion of company training and role-specific professional development coursework within the required timeframe.
Successful completion of OSHA 10 training within the required timeframe.
Current First Aid and CPR certification, maintained as required.
Current valid driver’s license; the license must be valid and unrestricted.
Cross-functional knowledge of key engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, process piping, controls, special systems, sprinkler, architectural, and structural, and relevant trades.
Experience taking conceptual design through construction while working with internal and external partners.
Advanced verbal and written communication skills and ability to conduct effective presentations.
Advanced proficiency in MS Office.
Thorough knowledge of project processes and how they support successful project completion.
Ability to build relationships and collaborate internally and externally.
Advanced ability to apply Lean processes and philosophy.
Experience with U.S. building design codes and material-specific standards.
Knowledge of linked design disciplines, including geotechnical/civil, architecture, building facade, structural, MEP, data/communications, vertical transportation, acoustics, and fire and life safety.
Ability to think structurally across design disciplines while applying creativity to develop specialized solutions and anticipate challenges.
Ability to manage budgets, maximize profitability, and generate future work through relationship building.
Technical market expertise and knowledge of industry trends and innovations.
Ability to build relationships with team members that extend beyond a project.
Ability to perform work accurately, completely, and in a timely manner.
Ability to work non-traditional hours as project needs require and travel extensively if required.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Eight or more years of experience as an Engineer, Project Manager, or Senior Project Manager.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design AP (LEED AP) accreditation.

Responsibilities

Lead engineering design development and scope projects before project start to reduce programming effort.
Conduct design reviews and work with Preconstruction Estimating to establish project budget and scope.
Lead design bid development and award, source engineering services, and maintain adequate engineering support staffing.
Manage design deliverable scope, quality, and schedule; review deliverables and manage Bluebeam reviews.
Manage permitting plans and address authority-having-jurisdiction requirements to achieve the project schedule.
Incorporate lessons learned and revise processes in response to client and engineering-staff changes.
Review and lead resolution of engineering-related RFIs, ensuring responses are valid and protect project scope, schedule, and budget.
Reduce project risk by maintaining engineering and construction-delivery scope, schedule, and budget; control client scope and support long-lead equipment purchasing on progressive-build projects.
Report design activities to the OAC and support owner reporting and design and engineering knowledge needs.
Interpret design-build RFPs and develop internal work plans with preconstruction, operations, and other stakeholders.
Understand potential clients’ business needs and develop or coordinate conceptual plans, elevations, and 3D models for presentations and win strategies.
Review bridging documents for RFP compliance, including applicable codes, criteria, technical requirements, and design deliverables.
Support early due diligence with clients and stakeholders and incorporate professional studies, jurisdictional requirements, and permitting requirements into design documents.
Manage external design partners and consultants to meet technical, quality, and schedule requirements.
Manage design reviews with design teams and clients, monitor design schedules and quality, and identify project risks and opportunities.
Help project teams identify solutions to project-specific challenges and coordinate with VDC as needed.
Develop sketches and plans to support preconstruction pricing and coordinate design document packaging strategies with project teams.
Manage project documentation, including proposals, drawings, specifications, reports, calculations, and shop drawings, using 3D and 2D file-management systems.
Review designs and provide quality-control comments to ensure program specifications and life-safety requirements are met.
Monitor project budgets and keep design aligned with contractual requirements; evaluate design partners’ and consultants’ project and service costs against design completion.
Lead development of conceptual plans, elevations, and 3D models in support of client presentations and win strategies.
Direct prequalification and selection of design professionals for design-build projects through RFP and selection processes.
Work with the Project Executive to set design budgets, schedules, and fees, and influence decisions affecting project cost, schedule, and budget.
Serve as an escalation point for price negotiations, scopes of work, and contract terms with architects and design consultants.
Act as a key liaison between JE Dunn and design teams to ensure accountability for project strategy, design schedule, and deliverables.
Provide thought leadership and direction from schematic design through substantial completion.
Manage change with internal teams and external design partners throughout the project.
Participate in business, industry, and community activities to build external relationships.
Coordinate and manage other design managers and potentially oversee multiple projects.
Build teamwork and collaboration, communicate goals, facilitate meetings, and recognize team accomplishments.
Assess and manage team work quality, schedules, assignments, goals, productivity, and resources.
Participate in talent-management activities, including performance management, feedback, recruiting, staffing, learning and development, and employee-relations matters.
Coach employees and remove obstacles or resolve escalated issues to support performance and development.
Support and communicate corporate and work-program change initiatives.
Comply with company and site policies, safety and quality programs, and procedures; use relevant JE Dunn technology; perform other assigned duties professionally and continue developing role proficiency.