Design Project Manager

Gilder Search Group; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Technical Source is partnering with a leading architecture, engineering, and design-build organization to identify an experienced Design Project Manager for pharmaceutical and life sciences projects in the Southeast. This role is highly client-facing, focusing on coordinating design teams and aligning technical design with project leadership from concept to construction.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in architecture/engineering/design or project management, with a strong background in

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in architecture, engineering, design, construction, or project management.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams on pharmaceutical or life sciences facilities preferred.
• Strong understanding of building systems and coordinated design delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary design projects from programming through construction documentation and support.
• Serve as primary client contact, translating requirements into executable design strategies.
• Coordinate architecture, MEP, process, and structural disciplines for fully integrated facility designs.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, resources, and deliverables.
• Lead design reviews and coordination meetings with clients, consultants, and contractors.
• Support GMP manufacturing facilities, cleanrooms, labs, and related utilities.

Skills

Project leadership

Client relationship

Cross-functional coordination

Budget management

Scheduling

Team motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

BIM

Job description

Technical Source is partnering with a leading architecture, engineering, and design-build organization to identify an experienced Design Project Manager supporting pharmaceutical and life sciences projects throughout the Southeast.

This is a highly client-facing position for someone who understands how complex facilities come together from both a technical design and project leadership perspective. The ideal candidate likely started their career in architecture, engineering, or technical design and has progressed into leading multidisciplinary teams and managing projects.

This is not a production design role. While a strong technical foundation is important, the primary responsibility is leading the design process—coordinating architects, engineers, process specialists, consultants, and client stakeholders from early concept through construction documentation and project execution.

Projects may include pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, biotech facilities, laboratories, cleanrooms, aseptic manufacturing environments, facility expansions, renovations, and other technically complex GMP-regulated spaces.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead multidisciplinary design projects from programming and conceptual design through detailed design, construction documentation, and construction support.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, developing strong relationships and translating business, operational, and technical requirements into executable design strategies.
• Coordinate architectural, mechanical, electrical, process, structural, and other engineering disciplines to deliver fully integrated facility designs.
• Manage project scope, design schedules, budgets, resources, deliverables, and overall project performance.
• Lead design reviews and technical coordination meetings with internal teams, clients, consultants, contractors, and other project stakeholders.
• Support the design and delivery of GMP manufacturing facilities, cleanrooms, laboratories, process areas, utilities, and supporting infrastructure.
• Ensure designs consider regulatory requirements, constructability, operational needs, cost, schedule, and long-term facility performance.
• Identify potential design, coordination, schedule, and budget risks early and develop mitigation strategies.
• Partner closely with construction, commissioning, qualification, and operations teams to ensure design intent is maintained throughout project execution.
• Support modern project delivery methodologies including BIM/Revit workflows, modular construction, digital design coordination, and other advanced design technologies.
• Manage multiple projects or workstreams while maintaining strong communication, organization, and attention to detail.

What We're Looking For

• 7+ years of relevant experience within architecture, engineering, design, construction, or project management.
• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline.
• Previous experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, or other highly regulated manufacturing facilities strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary architecture and engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of building systems and the coordination of architectural, MEP, process, and facility infrastructure.
• Experience managing project scope, budgets, schedules, design deliverables, and client expectations.
• Knowledge of GMP/cGMP environments, cleanroom design, FDA requirements, and regulated manufacturing is highly desirable.
• Experience with aseptic manufacturing and EU Annex 1 requirements is a plus.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit, BIM, and modern design/project management platforms.
• Strong client-facing communication, presentation, and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to take ownership of projects, make decisions, solve problems, and lead technical teams through complex design challenges.

Ideal Background

We're particularly interested in professionals who have progressed from roles such as:

• Project Architect
• Architectural Project Manager
• Design Manager
• Engineering Project Manager
• Senior Project Manager
• Design Project Manager

Candidates coming from architecture, engineering, EPC/EPCM, or integrated design-build organizations serving the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries should translate particularly well.

Location & Travel

Candidates may be located anywhere in Florida or in the Savannah, Georgia area.

This position will support projects and teams associated with the Jacksonville market, so candidates should be comfortable with periodic travel to Jacksonville and client/project sites as required.