Design Manager - Critical Facilities

Gensler; Morristown (NJ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonuses

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Profit sharing

Job summary

Gensler's Lifestyle Studio in Morristown, NJ seeks a Design Manager to lead architectural projects, ensuring on‑time delivery and budget adherence. You will deploy resources, serve as the primary liaison with clients, and guide teams on design solutions for critical facilities and manufacturing projects.

The role requires 10+ years of experience, architectural licensure preferred, and strong BIM skills (Revit, AutoCAD) with a commitment to sustainable design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Masters degree in Architecture or related field.
• 10+ years of related experience, managing projects and team.
• Professional license or certification preferred.
• Experience with Critical Facilities (data centers, command centers, high‑performance computing) or similarly complex projects.
• LEED accreditation preferred.
• Experience negotiating project scope, fees, and managing financial performance.
• Knowledge of building materials, specifications and construction techniques for core and shell.
• Strong knowledge of building codes, zoning, accessibility, and jurisdictional processes.
• Extensive experience in construction document preparation, detailing and field observation.
• Experience with project management software; MS Project a plus.
• Strong Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office; AutoCAD/SketchUp/Rhino/Enscape/VRay beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead client projects with clear objectives, scope, and schedule.
• Manage scheduling, budgets, staffing, and subcontractors.
• Prepare proposals, negotiate contracts and fees; bid projects to multiple general contractors.
• Track financial performance including work plan, schedule, fees, change orders, billings and collections.
• Oversee project lifecycle from kick-off to close-out.
• Collaborate with design team on solutions and documentation.
• Guide pricing through construction documentation.
• Resolve complex design issues.
• Develop project specifications.
• Coordinate with consultants and authorities having jurisdiction.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Team management

Sustainability knowledge

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Architecture

Professional license or certification

Tools

MS Project

Revit

AutoCAD

Rhino

SketchUp

Enscape

VRay

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Our Lifestyle Studio is unique, having the ability to draw expertise from and collaborate with all of Gensler's practice areas to serve our clients based on the client's industry.

Your Role

As a Gensler Design Manager, you will leverage your attention to detail and interpersonal skills to deliver exceptional architectural projects on time and on budget. You will deploy resources to ensure that the work process flows smoothly and act as the primary liaison between the team and client. Your role is critical in the design and delivery of world‑class projects including but not limited to Critical Facilities, industrial and Manufacturing projects. This is a great opportunity to join a highly creative, collaborative team while working on trendsetting architectural projects across a variety of industries.

What You Will Do

• Implement one or more client projects through the leadership of project teams; provide leadership to client and team by communicating project objectives, contract scope, terms, and schedule
• Manage scheduling, budgets, staffing, and project set‑up with clients, sub‑contractors, vendors and contractors
• Prepare project proposals and negotiate contracts and fees; bid projects to multiple general contractors
• Track and manage financial performance of project for success (e.g., work plan, schedule, fees, change orders, billings and collections)
• Manage project lifecycle; estimating, bidding, project kick‑off, weekly coordination, punch list, turnover, opening, and project close‑out
• Collaborate with the project team members on design solutions and documentation
• Guide project team in documentation, pricing through construction
• Resolve complex technical / design issues
• Develop project specifications
• Communicate with consultants and authorities having jurisdiction

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Masters degree in Architecture or related field
• 10+ years of related experience, managing projects and team
• Professional license or certification preferred
• Experience with Critical Facilities (i.e., data centers, command and control centers, high‑performance computing, etc.) or similarly complex projects required
• LEED accreditation preferred
• Experience negotiating project scope, fees, managing project financial performance, and ensuring fiscal responsibility for projects
• Knowledge of building materials, specifications and construction techniques specific to core and shell architecture is required.
• Strong knowledge of building codes, zoning, accessibility, and generally knowledgeable in jurisdictional processes is required.
• Extensive experience in construction document preparation, including detailing and field observation.
• Experience with project management software, such as MS Project, a plus
• Strong Revit, Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), Microsoft Office experience desired. AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino, Enscape, VRay also beneficial
• Essential knowledge of engineering disciplines in coordinating highly technical infrastructure heavy projects
• Demonstrated commitment to sustainability and sustainable building practices required; portfolios should include at least 1 project with this particular focus, and candidates should be prepared to talk to this in their interview, especially built projects with LEED, Living Building Challenge, WELL Building Standard, Fitwel and /or Net Zero Building certification

The base salary range will be estimated between $110-140k.

Gensler's total compensation package is multi‑layered and includes a base salary, two annual bonuses paid in December and June, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and profit sharing. 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 401(k), 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.