Design Manager

Jacobs; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 111,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare benefits

401(k) plan

PPTO

Caregiver leave

Stock purchase plan

Seven paid holidays

Life insurance

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Design Manager in Chicago, IL to lead design efforts for projects serving K-12 facilities. This role reports to the PMO Director of Planning and Design and focuses on maintaining client relationships while developing scopes and budgets for multiple projects.

The candidate will coordinate with CPS departments, manage design schedules, and guide the AOR process to ensure quality, conformance to budgets, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, and Engineering discipline, or Construction Management.
• Minimum 10 years of experience working in the architecture or planning industry.
• Self-starter with past experience as a project architect preferred.
• Strong knowledge of all phases of project development from conceptual design through construction administration.
• Attention to detail with depth of understanding of contract document coordination and technical aspects of project development.
• Strong management skills with the ability to oversee simultaneous projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Good communication skills necessary to lead consultants, facilitate discussions with client stakeholders, interface with PMO team and keep supervisors up to date.

Responsibilities

• Reports to PMO Director of Planning and Design.
• Focus on the ongoing client relationships.
• Develop project scopes and budgets for individual projects.
• Coordinates with CPS Departments and CPS principals to ensure project designs meet expectations.
• Develops and maintains project schedules.
• Provides Project Level Leadership of the Design Process, Ensuring Quality Projects.

Skills

Self-starter

Project architect exp

Design process leadership

Budgeting knowledge

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, and Engineering discipline, or Construction Management

Job description

Your impact

At Jacobs, what we do is more than construction; we play a part in moving a vision from concept to reality. If you’re interested in a rewarding career working on ENR's #1 Construction Management-for-Fee firm, then Jacobs is where you belong.

We are looking for a Design Manager who is driven by exceeding expectations to join our collaborative project team in the Chicago, IL office working on projects that will enhance the lives of K-12 students!

Responsibilities

• Reports to PMO Director of Planning and Design.


• Focus on the ongoing client relationships.


• Develop project scopes and budgets for individual projects.


• Coordinates with CPS Departments and CPS principals to ensure project designs meet expectations.


• Develops and maintains project schedules.


• Provides Project Level Leadership of the Design Process, Ensuring Quality Projects.
  
  
  
  • Management of Architect of Record (AOR), successfully guiding consultants through the completion of all design, bidding, permit, construction and closeout milestones.
  
  
  • Conformance to Budget and Schedule, and CPS Design Guidelines.
  
  
  • Performs Technical Peer Reviews of Milestone Submissions, overseeing both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the design.
  
  
  • Assists with processes related to construction Pos, billing and additional services.
  
  
  • Coordinates with AOR, CPS and Public Agencies for related code and zoning requirements.
  
  
  • Supports PMO team with, lessons learned, annual reviews of AORs.
  
  
  • Coordinates with AOR, CPS and Public Agencies for related code and zoning requirements.
  
  
  • Supports PMO team with lessons learned and annual reviews of AORs.
  
  
  • Assists with development of programs for proposed new buildings and annexes; large scale renovation initiatives; and other unique strategic planning endeavors.
  
  
  • Prepare planning concepts and associated budgets for consideration of feasibility.
  
  
  • Provides research/ review of code issues, technical specifications; best practices as needed.
  
  
  • Assists with FF&E requirements for each school.
  
  
  • Collaborates with PMO member for the development of processes.
  
  
  
  

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor degree in Architecture, and Engineering discipline, or Construction Management


• Minimum 10 years of experience working in the architecture or planning industry.


• Self-starter, with past experience as a project architect preferred.


• Strong knowledge of all phases of project development from conceptual design through construction administration.


• Attention to detail, with depth of understanding of contract document coordination and technical aspects of project development.


• Strong management skills, with ability to oversee simultaneous projects in a fast-paced environment.


• Good communication skills necessary to lead consultants, facilitate discussions with client stakeholders, interface with PMO team and keep supervisors and up to date

Ideally, you’ll have

• Experience with educational facility design


• An Architectural license

#EastPMCM #NorthPMCM

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $110,600.00 to $120,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on September 18, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

Onsite employees are expected to attend a Jacobs Workplace on a full-time basis, as required by the nature of their role.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.