Design Manager - Mission Critical / Industrial

Gensler; Phoenix, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Profit sharing

Employee stock ownership

Bonus opportunities

Job summary

Gensler is seeking a Design Manager to join our Phoenix office. You will lead delivery of high-performance data-center projects, oversee workflows, allocate resources, and act as the primary liaison between client and project team.

The role emphasizes leadership across design and technical staff in a fast-paced environment. You will guide multiple projects at a high level, maintain budgets, schedules, and contracts, and mentor junior staff while collaborating across disciplines to uphold

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or related field.
• 15+ years of relevant experience in architecture and project management.
• Experience with designing and managing diverse building typologies, especially critical facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead design delivery and project workflows for high-performance facilities.
• Oversee budgets, scheduling, staffing and project setup with clients and contractors.
• Provide project leadership and liaison between client and project team.
• Prepare proposals and negotiate contracts; bid projects to general contractors.
• Mentor junior designers and foster interdisciplinary design collaboration.

Skills

Project leadership

Client liaison

Resource allocation

Budgeting

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Professional license

Tools

MS Project

Job description

Gensler is seeking a Design Manager to join our Phoenix office. As part of our growing studio, you’ll bring your architectural expertise , attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills to lead the delivery of high-performance critical facilities projects—on time and within budget. In this role, you’ll oversee project workflows, allocate resources effectively, and serve as the primary liaison between the client and the project team.

Our design practi ce is uniquely equipped to deliver high-performance data centers by drawing on expertise from across Gensler’s diverse practice areas. We bring together specialized teams to meet the complex needs of today’s technology-driven organizations—at the intersection of architecture, infrastructure, and innovation.

Beyond data centers, our team contributes highly transferable knowledge from a range of complementary typologies, including mission-critical environments like research and supercomputing facilities, command and control centers, and SCIFs, as well as industrial sectors such as semiconductor, aerospace, manufacturing, warehouses, and distribution. The complexity and impact of this work create strong opportunities for continuous learning, career growth, and long-term advancement.

What You Will Do

Provide project leadership to client and team by communicating project objectives , contract scope, terms, and schedule

Provide strategically minded design support for organization,production and execution of projects.

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,billingsand collections)

Manage project lifecycle; estimating, bidding, project kick-off, weekly coordination, punch list, turnover, opening, and project close-out

Guide and mentor junior designers,assisting in leading multiple projects at a high level , working in a collaborative manner with other design and technical staff

Work closely with your team and across the office and firm, to promote and model an inter-disciplinary design approach that enhances Gensler’s culture of design quality and excellence.

Your Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Architecture or related field

15+ yearsof relevant experience:a mix of architecture and project management preferred with a strong background designing and managing multiple building typologies of varying scale, including critical facilities (data centers, mission critical environments such as SCIFs, command centers, supercomputing) and/or industrial project types (semiconductor, aerospace, manufacturing plants, warehouses, distribution centers, or heavy industrial facilities).

Professional license or certification preferred

LEED accreditation preferred

Experience negotiating project scope, fees, managing project financial performance, and ensuring fiscal responsibility for projects

Experience with the full project lifecycle, through post-occupancy

Knowledge of building codes, standards and building structures

Experience with industrial or highly technical project types is a plus

Experience with project management software, such as MS Project, a plus

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From hiking and camping excursions to internal design competitions to “Well-being 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 AffTentive 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] .

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