Design Manager - Critical Facilities

Gensler; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with match

Profit sharing

Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)

Tuition reimbursement

Well-being programs

Paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

Gensler seeks a Design Manager in New York to lead architectural projects across industries, delivering on time and on budget. You will deploy resources, liaise with clients, and guide teams through design and documentation from conception to opening.

The role demands 10+ years of experience, strong proficiency in Revit and BIM, and a passion for sustainable design and high‑performance facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture or related field required.
• 10+ years of related experience managing projects and teams.
• Professional license or certification preferred.
• Experience with critical facilities or complex projects.
• LEED accreditation preferred.
• Strong knowledge of building codes, zoning, accessibility.
• Experience with project management software and documentation.
• Portfolio demonstrating sustainable building focus.

Responsibilities

• Implement client projects through leadership of project teams and communicate objectives.
• Manage scheduling, budgets, staffing, and project setup with clients and contractors.
• Prepare proposals and negotiate contracts; bid projects to general contractors.
• Track and manage financial performance including fees, change orders, and collections.
• Oversee project lifecycle from kick-off to close-out and coordination.
• Collaborate with design teams on solutions and documentation.
• Guide pricing, documentation, and construction pricing.
• Resolve complex technical/design issues and develop project specs.
• Coordinate with consultants and authorities having jurisdiction.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Client liaison

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture or related field

Professional license or certification preferred

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Rhino

Enscape

V-Ray

MS Project

Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)

Job description

Overview

Our Cities 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 (e.g., 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, V-Ray 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 one project with this particular focus, and candidates should be prepared to talk about it in their interview, especially built projects with LEED, Living Building Challenge, WELL Building Standard, Fitwel and/or Net Zero Building certification

Compensation: 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.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state and local law. 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].