Design Manager

Position Title

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA

At Cumming Group, you will work on some of the world’s most exciting projects in a dynamic environment where your success is measured by the impact you make. We are one of the fastest‑growing project and cost management consultancies in the United States, reflected in our top 10 rankings in ENR. With over 60 offices worldwide, an extremely diverse project portfolio, and double‑digit year‑over‑year revenue growth, the opportunities to make your mark are limitless!

We are currently looking for a Design Manager to work on‑site with our client in downtown Los Angeles, CA. The Design Manager will be focused on K‑12 school project types and will successfully manage the design process on behalf of a large public school district. This is an outstanding opportunity to bring your specialized architectural and design expertise to an industry‑leading team.

• Plan, organize, and direct design activities for the School Upgrade Program and critical repair projects; serve as the lead design professional in the Design Department providing quality review, implementation of policy and procedures, and interface with the Division of State Architects (DSA).
• Manage, develop, and coordinate the District’s design process for the Facilities Planning and Development Division to ensure plans meet functional program, budgetary, environmental, and legal requirements.
• Manage multiple projects through interaction with architects, consultants, and District personnel from project conception, through draft to final review, approval, and handoff to Project Execution.
• Oversee the building design process to ensure compliance with client standards and guidelines for the District and work with design professionals and various District administrators to meet educational and building standards.
• Establish and follow a process to select the architectural firm best suited for each project based on qualifications and performance standards.
• Provide architects with clear and consistent direction regarding goals, objectives, standards, site, schedule, and budget for each project.
• Establish and follow an effective design review process to ensure the design meets overall goals and objectives, provides maximum value for the budgeted dollars, and is suitable for the District, local community, and environment.
• Ensure decisions are made in a timely manner.
• Ensure all steps within the project are documented and meet legal requirements.
• Review design changes to keep the project within budget.
• Recommend architectural firm assignments from an established list of pre‑qualified firms.
• Participate in community relations and outreach programs to foster understanding and acceptance of District building projects and designs.
• Coordinate with a host of professional staff who support the design function for the District.
• Develop continuing education opportunities, such as seminars and workshops, to share up‑to‑date information on working with architects and contractors.
• Coordinate project activities with other District branches and departments such as Environmental Health and Safety, A/E Design Services, Maintenance and Operations, School Occupancy Transitional Unit, Asbestos Technical Unit, and Local Districts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Demonstrated education sector design and planning acumen and leadership on DSA projects.
• Must be knowledgeable with the design and inspection process of the Division of State Architect (DSA).
• Strong technical and local regulatory knowledge.
• Provide senior‑level leadership for the planning, programming, design, technical and/or management leadership and direction for the execution of complex educational facility projects.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in architecture or engineering is required.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience managing facilities design, or the planning and coordination of capital projects that includes overall design, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling activities. At least five (5) years of this experience must be…