Design Construction Manager II (Heavy Travel)

DLB Associates; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

DLB Associates seeks a Design Construction Manager II (Heavy Travel) to lead design coordination and ownership advocacy across mission-critical projects in the U.S. The role requires extensive travel, near major airports, and independent operation with limited day-to-day direction.

You will drive design from schematic through record drawings, manage budgets and schedules, and report progress to owners and partners while ensuring quality and operability for complex environments.

Qualifications

• Experience in design management for large-scale, mission-critical facilities.
• Strong coordination and communication skills across multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead design leadership and coordinate stakeholders across design partners.
• Oversee design progression from SD through As-Built; track deliverables and close Page-Turns.
• Review design bulletins and provide design support on RFPs and pursuits.
• Coordinate equipment submittals with design partners and visit job sites for coordination.
• Champion budget, schedule, and contract oversight as contractor/owner advocate.
• Provide concise weekly leadership updates on progress, risks, and KPIs.
• Assist with proposals and follow-on opportunities; leverage digital tools to improve efficiency.

Job description

DLB Associates is a premier engineering and consulting firm specializing in innovative, mission-critical solutions across hyperscale data centers, advanced infrastructure, and high-performance building systems. With over four decades of expertise, we partner with some of the world’s most influential companies to design and optimize environments that demand precision, scalability, and resilience.

Join us and be part of a team where your voice matters, your work makes an impact, and your growth is a shared priority.

Position Title

Design Construction Manager II (Heavy Travel)

Position Location

Location varies by assignment. 75–100% travel across the U.S. unless assigned to an extended project. Must be located near a major US airport.

Job Summary

The Design Construction Manager II (DCMII) acts as the contractor and/or owner’s representative across the design and construction administration phases, ensuring the project’s scope, schedule, budget, quality, operability, and compliance objectives are met. This role integrates Owner’s Representative and Design Management responsibilities with specialized coordination of architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and operations stakeholders. The DCMII drives the design process from schematic design through record drawings, while providing structured reporting, risk management, and decision support to the owner. Operating with a high degree of independence and receiving limited day-to-day direction, the DCMII manages projects of complex scope in mission-critical environments. The DCMII will receive limited directions on day-to-day work and general instructions on new projects, tasks or assignments. Will execute and assist team leadership on projects, tasks or assignments of complex scope. Will work independently or under limited supervision. The DCMII will communicate and operate in line with organizational and client goals and values, as well as departmental objectives.

Essential Functions

Design Leadership & Stakeholder Coordination

• Administer external Design Partner contracts; plan and lead design team meetings; drive issue closure with various subject matter experts and project partners.
• Manage design progression from SD through As-Built; coordinate, review, and track design deliverables; organize and close Page-Turns.
• Review and implement design bulletins with the construction team; provide design support on RFPs and sales/engineering pursuits.
• Support supply chain by coordinating equipment submittals with design partners; visit job sites for field investigations and coordination meetings.
• Contractor and/or owner advocacy for budget, schedule, and contract oversight
• Serve as the contractor and/or owner’s “voice” and single point of coordination, ensuring decisions align with owner requirements and program standards.
• Monitor design-phase budget and schedule drivers; surface scope/cost impacts promptly; recommend mitigation and change control paths.
• Support contract administration and compliance; participate in bid/evaluation activities and preconstruction planning as needed.

Construction Administration

• Manage the construction administration phase for design partners; track submittals and RFI responses in concert with the construction team.
• Maintain a proactive issues/risk log; verify design intent and quality expectations.
• Ensure timely completion of closeout documents and requirements.

Reporting, Communications & Client Experience

• Provide concise, weekly leadership updates on design progress, blockers, risks, and priorities; curate contractor and/or owner-facing narratives, visuals, and KPIs leveraging the reporting structure (schedule look-ahead/behind, cost/COs, RFIs/submittals, issues/risks, photos).
• Maintain and grow client relationships; ensure client satisfaction through clear, timely, and professional communications.

Business Development & Program Support

• Assist with proposals/presentations; identify and develop follow-on opportunities as a trusted extension of the client team.
• Technology, Digital Tools & AI-Enabled Efficiency
• Leverage AI-enabled and digital tools to enhance efficiency, reduce manual effort, and support consistent, high-quality work output.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and demonstrate a continuous learning mindset, seeking out new technologies, skills, and methods that elevate individual and team performance.
• Adapt to emerging technologies and evolving digital workflows,