Sr. Design Manager

Cushman & Wakefield•St. Louis, MO

About The Position

We are seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead our corporate workplace design team. In this role, you will serve as the team lead, guiding a group of talented design professionals through a full project lifecycle. This position requires a mastery of architectural design principles, Revit, and project management methodologies. You will be responsible for the quality of design deliverables while consistently pushing the boundaries of innovation. Beyond technical oversight, you will optimize resource allocation to meet design goals and actively foster the professional growth of your team. You will work closely with cross-functional partners to deliver high-quality solutions that align with business objectives and exceed client expectations. We are looking for someone who is equally comfortable in a technical design review as they are in a client presentation, bringing the depth and leadership presence necessary to drive excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Architecture or Interior Design from a CIDA or NAAB accredited institution
10+ years of professional design experience, with demonstrated progression into leadership
5+ years of direct experience managing and mentoring design teams
7+ years of Revit experience in a professional setting
Strong proficiency in architectural drawings, space planning, and design concept development.
Working knowledge of IBC and ADA requirements with the ability to review drawings for code compliance.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite.
Experience with Enscape or comparable rendering software.
Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain a high-performing design team
Strong project management skills with experience managing concurrent projects across varied complexity levels.
Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills, with comfort presenting to senior stakeholders.
Skilled at building trusted relationships with internal teams, external partners, and clients.
Strong attention to detail with a commitment to delivering quality outcomes.
Self-directed and accountable, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.

Nice To Haves

Licensure (RA or NCIDQ) preferred but not required
Familiarity with Revit productivity plugins (DiRoots or similar) a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of design professionals, fostering a collaborative, creative, and high-performing culture.
Conduct regular performance reviews and provide meaningful, actionable feedback that supports each team member's professional growth.
Deliver ongoing training in design software best practices, code compliance, and project delivery methodology.
Model a standard of design excellence and professional accountability across the team.
Serve as a primary design point of contact for the client, building a trusted and long-term partnership.
Communicate design concepts, decisions, and recommendations clearly and confidently to stakeholders at all levels.
Review client business needs and translate them into functional, innovative workplace solutions, including test fits and space planning recommendations.
Manage and continuously improve client design standards, proactively recommending updates that reflect evolving workplace trends and best practices.
Oversee all phases of the design process, ensuring deliverables are safe, functional, code-compliant, and aesthetically aligned with client expectations.
Review and approve preliminary space plans and design concepts against IBC, ADA, and applicable local code requirements.
Maintain rigorous quality control across all design documentation and deliverables produced by the team.
Explore and implement innovative design solutions, encouraging experimentation and creative thinking within the team.
Potentially responsible for: creating, implementing, and maintaining Revit templates, families, and design assets that support efficient and consistent project delivery.
Manage rendering workflows between Revit and Enscape (or similar visualization software).
Champion the adoption of tools that optimize design workflows, including familiarity with Revit productivity plugins such as DiRoots.
Stay current on emerging design software, technologies, and industry trends.
Develop and manage project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation across a portfolio of projects with varying scope and complexity.
Ensure all design processes and standards are clearly documented, communicated to the team, and consistently implemented.
Support vendor relationships and contribute to procurement processes as needed.
Partner cross-functionally with project management, facilities, construction, and other internal teams to deliver integrated solutions.