Senior Manager, Design

Yale New Haven Health•New Haven, CT

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day. Reporting directly to the Director of Planning and Design, the Senior Manager of Design leads the development and execution of architectural and interior design strategies across capital and renovation projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, user needs, and regulatory requirements. This role oversees the full design lifecycle, from schematic design through construction documentation,while coordinating multidisciplinary teams including architecture, interiors, and engineering. By translating complex programmatic and operational requirements into cohesive design solutions, the Senior Manager ensures that all environments support clinical excellence, patient-centered care, and long-term flexibility. This position plays a key role in maintaining design quality and consistency across projects by upholding organizational standards for finishes, furniture, and building systems. The Senior Manager conducts formal design reviews, supports consultant selection and performance management, and collaborates with project managers to validate feasibility, budget alignment, and constructability. A champion of innovation and evidence-based design, this leader also mentors junior staff and fosters a culture of accountability, sustainability, and continuous improvement in the built environment. The Senior Manager has direct oversight of the Architectural, Interior, and MEP Planners.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in architecture or a related field required.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in architectural or interior design, with at least 5 years in healthcare or institutional settings.
Applicant must be a licensed architect.
Design Leadership: Ability to guide and critique design solutions that balance form, function, and compliance.
Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of healthcare design standards, building codes, and construction documentation.
Collaboration: Skilled in working across disciplines and with diverse stakeholder groups.
Attention to Detail: Ability to identify design inconsistencies and ensure quality across all phases.
Project Coordination: Experience managing multiple design efforts simultaneously within complex project environments.
Moderate physical effort: intermittent standing, walking, and reaching is required without assistance.
Close computer work with intense concentration more than half of the day.
Ability to discern color, ability to hear conversations and telephone communications clearly.
Applicant must be able to navigate sites under construction including stairs and ladders unassisted

Nice To Haves

Masters degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the design development process for all capital and renovation projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, user needs, and project scope from schematic design through construction documentation.
Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, including architecture, interiors, and engineering, to ensure cohesive, functional, and compliant design solutions.
Conduct formal design reviews at key project milestones to ensure adherence to healthcare codes, ADA, FGI Guidelines, and internal design standards.
Translate programmatic and operational needs into effective design strategies by engaging with user groups, clinical stakeholders, and planning teams.
Ensure consistency in design quality across all projects by upholding institutional standards for architecture, finishes, furniture, and building systems.
Support consultant management, including participation in selection processes, defining scopes of work, and evaluating performance throughout the design phase.
Collaborate with project managers and planners to validate design feasibility, budget alignment, and constructability during early project phases.
Identify and resolve design conflicts proactively, ensuring that design intent is maintained while accommodating technical and operational constraints.
Promote innovation and evidence-based design, incorporating best practices in healthcare environments, sustainability, and patient-centered care.
Mentor junior design staff and contribute to professional development, fostering a culture of design excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.