Design Manager - Higher Education - Senior

Gensler; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401k + profit sharing

Bonus opportunities

Job summary

Gensler's San Jose office seeks a Design Manager to lead complex higher education projects, guiding pursuit, planning, design development, and construction through occupancy. You will serve as the primary client and team contact, overseeing scope, schedule, budget, staffing, risk, and delivery strategy while ensuring design quality and client satisfaction.

This role requires a hands-on leader with 10+ years in design management at an architecture firm, a Bachelor’s in Architecture (Master’s

Qualifications

• 10+ years of design management experience in an architecture firm.
• Experience with higher education, sciences, civic, and mission-driven institutional projects.
• Strong client service orientation and ability to manage profitability.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from pursuit through construction and occupancy.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and manage scope, schedule, budget, staffing, risk, and delivery strategy.

Skills

Design management

Architecture

Client service

Mentoring

Project leadership

Team coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Architecture

Master's Degree preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

SketchUp

Microsoft Project

Job description

At Gensler, we design for people. Leveraging a global platform and local expertise, we create transformative environments that enrich the human experience and drive meaningful impact. Our San Jose office is home to a thriving architecture and interiors practice, partnering with leading higher education institutions to deliver innovative, sustainable, and mission-driven environments. Through our integrated approach to design, we create spaces that strengthen campus communities, support learning and research, and inspire the people who use them every day.

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to join our growing Higher Education practice in San Jose. This leadership role is ideal for a seasoned project management professional with experience across architecture, interiors, master planning, pre-design services, DSA, and SFM projects. Working closely with clients and project teams, you will play a critical role in delivering complex projects while helping expand Gensler's higher education presence across the Bay Area and Northwest Region.

Your Role

As a Design Manager, you will serve as the primary leader responsible for guiding projects from initial pursuit and planning through construction and occupancy. Acting as the central point of contact for clients, consultants, and project teams, you will oversee project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, risk management, and delivery strategy while ensuring design quality and client satisfaction at every stage.

This is a highly collaborative project management role that combines leadership, business acumen, and design stewardship. You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, navigate complex stakeholder environments, and drive successful project outcomes while ensuring alignment between client goals, project performance, and design intent.

Successful candidates are proactive leaders who excel at managing complex projects, building trusted client relationships, and fostering high-performing teams. In addition to overseeing project delivery, you will mentor emerging professionals, contribute to studio growth initiatives, and help advance Gensler's culture of innovation, sustainability, and design excellence.

What You Will Do

• Act as hands-on design (project) manager for a variety of projects
• Engage clients and stakeholders to identify project vision, goals, and objectives
• Work collaboratively with others toward design solutions
• Promote engagement and collaboration at all levels, including design team, consultants, clients, and contractors
• Manage teams from concept design through construction with a deep understanding of zoning, codes, construction standards, and other regulatory requirements
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and work plans
• Ensure excellent performance regarding project design quality, schedule, and budget
• Prepare and review proposals, contracts, and consultant agreements
• Work with accounting team to manage the billing process
• Participate in firm marketing, proposal writing, and project interviews
• Mentor, coach and manage junior/intermediate staff
• Contribute to general office-wide initiatives, external thought leadership, and marketing efforts
• Support firmwide sustainability and resilience goals, and drive high performance solutions
• Support diversity, equity, and inclusion goals on projects and within the office
• Develop and maintain positive client relationships

Your Qualifications

• 10+ Years of Design Management experience in an Architecture firm
• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture required, Master's Degree preferred
• Track-record of success with education, sciences, civic, and other mission-driven institutional projects
• Knowledge and experience in all phases of interior design and architectural projects
• Strong user engagement, programming, and pre-design planning skills a plus
• Ability to provide excellent client service and assure project profitability
• Ability to work in person in the office 4-5 days a week
• Collaborative spirit and desire to mentor junior/intermediate staff
• Knowledge of state and local building codes including accessibility
• Sustainable design experience, including hands-on experience with LEED, LBC, and other certification systems
• Computer skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and Project), and AutoCAD required
• Revit, SketchUp and Photoshop skills are a plus

**The base salary will be estimated between $135K - 165K plus bonuses and benefits and contingent on relevant experience.**

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 and hackathons, to "Well-being Week," our offices reflect our teams' diverse interests.

We encourage our employees 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 **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.

See also Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal, right to work and E-verify program.

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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