Design Manager – Asset Management (Closed)

Paragon Em; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,500 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in Los Angeles is seeking a Design Manager to oversee the planning and execution of design activities for school upgrades and critical repairs. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in facilities design management, including 5 years with educational facilities. A bachelor’s degree in architecture or engineering is required, along with strong project management skills. This role offers a competitive salary range of $180.5K to $210.0K annually, along with benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of managing facilities design or capital projects experience.
• 5 years of experience with educational facility design or similar public agencies.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct design activities for the School Upgrade Program.
• Manage the design process for Facilities Planning and Development Division.
• Oversee project compliance with LAUSD standards and guidelines.

Skills

Project management

Architectural design

Budget management

Coordination with architects

Compliance with regulations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture or engineering

Job description

DESIGN MANAGER

Program: Los Angeles Unified School District – Asset Management
Salary Range: $180.5K to $210.0K annual base salary plus benefits
Positions Open: Three (3)

DUTIES

• Plans, organizes, and directs the design activities for the School Upgrade Program and critical repair projects. Functions as the lead design professional in the Design Department providing quality review, implementation of policy and procedures and interface and coordinates with the Division of State Architects (DSA)
• Manages, develops, and coordinates the District’s design process for the Facilities Planning and Development Division to ensure that plans are within functional program, budgetary, environmental and legal requirements
• Manages multiple projects through interaction with Architects, consultants, and District personnel from project conception, through draft to final review, approval, and handoff to Project Execution
• Oversees the building design process to ensure compliance with LAUSD’s standards and guidelines for the District by working with design professionals and various District administrators to ensure that new and modernized structures meet both educational and building standards requirements
• Establishes and follows a process to identify and select the architectural firm best suited for each project based on the firms’ qualifications and ability to meet performance standards
• Provides Architects with clear and consistent direction with regard to goals and objectives, standards, site, schedule, and budget for each project
• Establishes and follows an effective and efficient design review process to ensure that the design meets the overall goals and objectives for the project, provides maximum value for dollars budgeted, and are appropriate and enduring to meet the functional needs of the District, the local community, and the environment
• Ensures that decisions are made in a timely manner
• Ensures that all steps within the project are documented and that the documentation meets legal requirements
• Reviews design changes submitted to ensure project remains within budget
• Recommends architectural firm assignment from an established list of pre-qualified architectural firms
• Participates in community relations and outreach programs to create understanding and acceptance of District building projects design within the community
• Coordinates with a host of professional staff who support the design function for the District
• Develops continuing education opportunities, i.e., seminars and workshops, to learn and share-up-to-date information on working with architects and contractors
• Coordinates project activities with other District organizational branches and departments such as the Office of the Environmental Health and Safety, A/E Design Services, Maintenance and Operations, School Occupancy Transitional Unit, Asbestos Technical Unit and Local Districts
• Performs other duties as assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 10 years full time paid professional experience managing the facilities design, or the planning and coordination of capital projects that includes the overall design, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling activities
• 5 years of this experience must be with the design, planning and construction of educational facilities or similar public agencies

REQUIRED EDUCATION

• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in architecture or engineering

PREFERRED LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

• A valid Certificate of Registration as an Architect by the California State Architectural Board or Professional Engineer by the State Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors

RESUME SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Deadline to submit resume: Tuesday January 27, 2026 @ 9:00am (no late submissions accepted)
Please email cover letter, resume, and salary requirements: [e-mail]
Subject line: LAUSD Design Manager

Approximate Processing Time:
SHORTLIST: Within 1 week after deadline to submit resume.
INTERVIEW: Within 2 weeks after deadline to submit resume.
SELECTION NOTIFICATION: Within 3 weeks after deadline to submit resume.
Recruitment# CM-DM-0126-01