Design Manager - Architecture - Senior

Gensler; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonuses

401k plan

Profit sharing

Employee stock ownership

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Gensler in San Jose, CA is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead teams across all design phases, ensuring quality, budget, and schedule for complex architectural and interiors projects. You will mentor staff, coordinate with practice groups, and manage client relationships while delivering innovative, technically sound solutions.

The role requires 15+ years of experience, a professional architecture degree, strong leadership, and deep knowledge of California entitlements, CEQA, and building

Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture required.
• 15+ years of professional architectural experience.
• Experience in construction documentation, bid review, construction administration, and field observation.
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong presentation skills for client workshops and interviews.
• Understanding of California Entitlements and CEQA process.
• Understanding of building codes, standards, regulations, and specification writing.
• Extensive experience with construction administration, contracts, and building systems.

Responsibilities

• Guide teams through all phases of project delivery with Studio Directors and project leadership.
• Lead development and execution of projects, ensuring design intent, quality, budget, schedule, and regulatory compliance.
• Leverage client relationships to inspire and deliver projects of various scales and complexities.
• Collaborate across studio and Northwest region.
• Maintain financial health of projects and client relationships.
• Lead RFQ/RFP responses to build a pipeline of work.
• Keep pace with design and technology advances for infrastructure.
• Communicate status to leadership on projects and teams.
• Mentor staff and recruit top talent.
• Contribute to market reputation through thought leadership.

Skills

Project leadership

Client relationships

Leadership

Communication

Mentorship

Education

Professional degree in Architecture

Tools

Construction administration

Job description

Located in the heart of the city, the Gensler San Jose office serves as one of the firm’s key locations and a hub for innovation, collaboration, and interdisciplinary design excellence. Home to a diverse collective of architects, interior designers, strategists, planners, and technical experts, the office supports a broad range of practice areas including Workplace, Mixed-Use, Build-to-Suit, Critical Facilities, R&D Labs, Higher Education, and Corporate Interiors.

Your Role

As a Senior Design Manager in the Gensler Silicon Valley Office, you will bring your years of project leadership and client relationship skills to build our capabilities to inspire and realize our mix of project types of all scales and complexities. You will serve as a leader within our architecture studio, guiding teams through all phases of the design and delivery process — from early test fits and technical detailing through construction documentation and administration. This role requires a passionate and experienced leader with a technical mindset who thrives in a collaborative environment and brings deep expertise in the execution of complex architectural and interiors projects.

The ideal candidate will possess exceptional technical knowledge, strong presentation and relationship-building abilities, and a demonstrated capacity to understand and interpret client needs while delivering innovative and technically sound solutions.

You will have a comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end design process, beginning in the pursuit and marketing phase through construction completion, with proven experience across a broad range of project types and scales.

A self-motivated and collaborative team player, you will partner closely with colleagues across practice areas within the San Jose office and across the firm, while also working alongside clients, consultants, vendors, and stakeholders at all levels. You will play a key role in mentoring and developing less experienced team members while serving as a trusted technical advisor to the studio.

What You Will Do

• Partner with Studio Directors, Principals, and project leadership to guide teams through all phases of project delivery
• Lead the development and execution of projects, ensuring design intent, quality standards, budget, schedule, and regulatory requirements are achieved
• Utilize your experience in project leadership and client relationship skills to build our capabilities to inspire and deliver projects of all scales and complexities
• Work collaboratively with others in your studio and in the Northwest region.
• Be accountable and manage the financial health of projects and client relationships.
• Lead a team or individually respond to RFQ / RFPs to build a pipeline of new work.
• Keep pace with technology advances and the design innovations required to develop the supporting critical infrastructure.
• Effectively and routinely communicate with your leadership on status of projects, pursuits, and teams.
• Work closely with office leadership to identify and recruit best-in-class talent
• Actively mentor staff in their growth in the design profession
• Strengthen our market reputation through thought leadership and a differentiated point of view
• Foster and encourage a positive work environment amongst peers and teams
• Partner with studio leadership and legal counsel on matters related to project delivery, contracts, and construction-related risk management

Your Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture required
• Minimum 15+ years of professional architectural experience
• Demonstrated expertise in construction documentation, bid review, construction administration, and field observation
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to be articulate and convincing in client workshops, interviews, and other presentations
• Passion for mentorship, team development, and technical excellence
• Strong understanding of the California Entitlements and CEQA process
• Strong understanding of building codes, standards, regulations, and specification writing
• Extensive experience in construction administration, construction contracts, and building systems including exterior enclosures, roofing/waterproofing, and primary building systems

**The base salary range is estimated between $135,000 - $170,000 and is contingent on experience and qualifications. Gensler's compensation package is multi-layered and includes a base salary, two annual bonuses paid in December and June. To learn more about our compensation philosophy and full benefits offerings, please visit:** Great People, Great Rewards | Gensler **

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Awareness Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and

Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state and local law.

Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us .

Regarding Gensler’s approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud . Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email [e-mail]

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Area of Expertise: Professional Services

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Area of Expertise: Mixed Use + Retail Centers

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Area of Expertise: Professional Services