Design Project Manager

Copper Bay Homes; Waterloo; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A design-build contractor is seeking a Design Project Manager in Waterloo, Canada. This role involves leading design delivery, ensuring compliance with regulations, and coordinating multiple stakeholders for residential projects. The ideal candidate has a degree in relevant fields and a minimum of 7 years' experience in residential design/construction, with proficiency in tools like Bluebeam. A salary range of $80,000 to $100,000 is offered, along with opportunities for professional development and a collaborative work culture.

Benefits

Supportive team culture

Opportunities for professional development

Work-life balance

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in low-rise residential design/construction.
• Strong knowledge of Ontario Building Code and municipal processes.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead early-stage client meetings to develop actionable briefs.
• Ensure compliance with Ontario Building Code and zoning bylaws.
• Provide technical clarification to Construction Managers.

Skills

Client-facing communication

Group coordination

Detail-oriented

Education

Degree or diploma in Architectural Technology, Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management

Tools

Bluebeam

Houzz Pro

SketchUp

Job description

About Copper Bay Homes Ltd.

Copper Bay Homes is a design-build contractor specializing in high-quality, fully customized homes. Each of our projects is tailored to our clients’ individual visions, so every project is unique with a strong emphasis on design details. We pride ourselves on innovative thinking, a team-first environment, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. At Copper Bay Homes, accountability, collaboration, and forward-thinking fuel our mission to turn dream homes into reality.

About the Role :

Copper Bay Homes Ltd. is seeking a Design Project Manager to lead design delivery from initial concept through construction start and to provide design support during construction and post‑construction warranty. The role requires a rigorous command of architectural design and constructability, meticulous documentation, and disciplined coordination across clients, consultants, and internal teams. The successful candidate will serve as the primary client point of contact and ensure that all design documentation is complete, coordinated, and permit‑ready.

Key Responsibilities

Design Management (Concept to Construction Start)

• Lead early-stage client meetings to translate functional goals, lifestyle priorities, and aesthetic preferences into a clear, actionable brief.
• Develop concept plans, preliminary budgets, and design schedules; establish and enforce decision deadlines to protect permitting and procurement windows.
• Run regular client touchpoints (weekly / bi‑weekly) and maintain decision logs, risk / issue registers, and next‑step trackers.
• Facilitate value‑engineering workshops; present options with cost, schedule, and quality implications.
• Review and refine drawing sets for constructability, coordination, and alignment with scope and budget.
• Maintain a Design Decision Log and Selections Schedule with a clear audit trail to prevent scope creep.
• Coordinate internal designers, project coordinators, construction management, and external consultants.
• Review shop drawings and equipment selections for compatibility and integration with design intent.
• Prepare complete permit submission packages; coordinate with municipalities and planning consultants.
• Ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code (OBC), zoning bylaws, and site‑specific constraints.

Communication & Coordination

Act as the primary client point of contact through design, construction, and warranty periods.

Liaise with vendors and suppliers to obtain quotations, finalize specifications, and integrate selections into working drawings.

Maintain clear documentation of decisions, changes, and approvals; distribute current drawings, specifications, and selection schedules to all stakeholders.

Lead structured design hand‑off meetings with construction prior to mobilization.

Construction Support

Provide timely technical clarification to the Construction Manager; respond to RFIs and coordinate resolution of design‑related field issues.

Participate in regular and milestone site walk‑throughs to confirm adherence to design intent.

Closeout & Warranty

Plan closeout from the outset, including O&M manuals, warranties, mechanical room labeling, and homeowner orientation materials.

Coordinate deficiency walks and PDI; manage Tarion milestones and timelines (30‑day, 1‑year, 2‑year, 7‑year items, as applicable).

Capture lessons learned and incorporate improvements into standard details, templates, and SOPs.

Qualifications

Minimum 7 years of experience in low‑rise residential design / construction, architecture, or construction project management (custom homes required).

Degree or diploma in Architectural Technology, Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management.

Strong knowledge of OBC, zoning, and municipal permitting processes.

Proficiency with Bluebeam; familiarity with project platforms such as Houzz Pro, BuilderTrend, Procore (or similar). Knowledge of SketchUp is a nice to have.

Understanding of Tarion warranty requirements.

Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders across disciplines.

Exceptional written and verbal communication in client‑facing settings.

Detail‑oriented, proactive, and able to manage priorities and deadlines independently.

Performance Expectations (First 12 Months)

Design milestones achieved on schedule with complete, coordinated, permit‑ready packages.

Clean hand‑offs to construction with protected procurement windows and minimal downstream rework.

RFIs resolved promptly; lessons learned systematically integrated into standards and SOPs.

What we can offer you :

A supportive team culture where your ideas and expertise are valued

Opportunities for professional development and career advancement

Work-life balance and a collaborative environment

The chance to contribute meaningfully to exciting, high-quality residential projects

Salary Range is expected between : $80,000–$100,000

If you’re organized, detail-oriented, and eager to see your leadership directly shape outstanding residential builds, we’d love to hear from you. For more information or to apply, please send your cover letter and resume to [e-mail].