Design Manager

Cummings Properties; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid holidays

Vacation time

Sick leave

Personal time

Employee Trust (equity)

401(k) company match

Charitable gift match

Job summary

Cummings Properties is seeking a second Design Manager in Woburn, MA to lead a 12-person interior fit-up and building upgrade design team. The role collaborates with leasing, operations, and construction to deliver design solutions on a fast-paced schedule.

The department handles leasing support, marketing documents, fit-up drawings, and cost estimates. Candidates should have 12+ years of related experience and a Bachelor's in architecture or interior design, with strong leadership and real

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in architecture or interior design is required or equivalent.
• 12+ years of related experience, education or training.
• Understanding of general real estate business goals and strategy.
• Familiarity with electrical, plumbing, and HVAC terminology and fundamentals.
• Ability to plan and direct projects from conceptualization through implementation.
• Knowledge of interior building design, engineered systems, and standard industry practices.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead a 12-person interior fit-up and building upgrade design team.
• Collaborate with leasing, operations, construction, and purchasing on design and construction planning.
• Develop standards and train and motivate staff to advance skills and responsibilities.
• Contribute to leadership tone for the department.
• Review design requests from external departments prior to acceptance into the Design Department.
• Attend programming meetings with clients to understand scope and guide design response.
• Assign projects, coordinate, and track progress to ensure timely delivery.
• Oversee components: space planning, lease plans, construction estimates, and RFPs/submittals.
• Maintain department documentation including square footage calculations and as-built drawings.
• Review projects for code compliance, design quality, and delivery goals.
• Engage outside consultants for specialized scopes (HVAC, electrical, fire protection).
• Evaluate construction progress on-site against plans and specs.

Skills

Aesthetic sensibility

Real estate goals

Project planning

Building design knowledge

HVAC electrical knowledge

Leadership abilities

Education

Bachelor's degree in architecture or interior design

Job description

Cummings Properties is a multi-faceted real estate development firm headquartered in Woburn, MA. Cummings develops, renovates, and maintains commercial properties and provides fit-up design and construction for leasing clients.

We are adding a second Design Manager to handle our growing workload. This is a high-visibility position with frequent interactions with both internal clients and design staff. The department receives a variety of work requests with fast turnaround expectations, resulting in a lively, upbeat office environment with constant collaboration.

The Design Department provides a range of leasing support, marketing documents, fit-up construction drawings, and associated project cost estimates. It currently consists of approximately 25 employees. Managers include a Chief Design Officer, a Principal Architect, a Senior Project Architect, and a Design Manager.

Primary Responsibilities

General

• Co-lead 12-person interior fit-up and building upgrade design team
• Collaborate with leasing, operations, construction, and purchasing departments on design and construction planning
• Develop standards and train and motivate new and existing employees to advance skills and responsibilities
• Contribute to leadership tone for the department

Specific

• Review design requests from external departments prior to acceptance into the Design Department
• Attend programming meetings with clients to understand the scope of work and guide design and construction response
• Assign projects, coordinate, and track team member progress of assignments to ensure timely delivery
• Project components include space planning, final lease plans, construction estimates, construction documents, and RFPs and submittals
• Department documentation includes square footage calculations, as-built drawings, database, and standards maintenance
• Review projects for compliance with building code, design principles, quality control, and project delivery goals
• Engage with outside consultants as required for specialized scope of work including HVAC, electrical, and fire protection
• Evaluate construction progress on-site to verify adherence to architectural plans and specifications

Qualifications and Experience

• 12 years of related experience, education/training, including a Bachelor's degree in architecture or interior design
• Practical aesthetic sensibility
• Understanding of general real estate business goals and strategy
• Familiarity with electrical, plumbing, and HVAC terminology and fundamentals
• Ability to plan and direct projects from conceptualization through implementation
• Knowledge of interior building design and construction, engineered systems, and standard industry practices

About Cummings:

Cummings Properties has a long history of giving back to the community. The large majority of its buildings are owned by Cummings Foundation, its philanthropic affiliate, with all rental profits benefiting greater Boston nonprofits. Learn more at www.cummings.com/about/giving-back.

In addition to unlimited career advancement and growth potential, we offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid holiday, vacation, sick, and personal time
• Cummings Properties Employee Trust (equity compensation)
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Competitive compensation and opportunities for bonuses
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous Company match
• Charitable gift match up to $2,000 annually, plus the opportunity to direct an additional $2,000 in Company funds each year to a local nonprofit of your choice

The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $150,000, based on experience.

NOTE: Candidates must be able to work on site. This is not a remote or hybrid position.

Cummings Properties is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In the interest of the safety and health of our employees and clients, we maintain a ZERO TOLERANCE policy in regard to prohibited drug use and alcohol or marijuana abuse. More information about the Cummings organization is available at www.Cummings.com and www.CummingsFoundation.org.