Project Design Manager Senior (PH/IA)
Disney
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Job summary
Disney in Celebration, FL is seeking a Senior Project Design Manager to lead design and engineering across a portfolio of capital projects for island and destination assets. You will act as Owner’s Representative, ensuring integration from concept through turnover while blending technical leadership with executive communication.
This is a temporary assignment with no guaranteed permanent placement and offers a bonus/incentive potential as part of the compensation package.
Qualifications
- 10–15 years of experience in architecture, engineering, or design management
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary design teams across full project lifecycles
- Proficiency with design and project tools (Revit, AutoCAD, BIM)
- Client-facing or owner’s representative experience
- Strong presenting and communication skills for executives
- U.S. Professional licensure (Architect or Engineer)
Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end design and engineering delivery across multiple concurrent projects from concept through construction
- Ensure design excellence and alignment with scope, schedule, and quality
- Drive innovative, sustainable, and experience-driven design solutions
- Prepare feasibility studies and code assessments for facilities
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Job Posting Title:
Project Design Manager Senior (PH/IA)
Req ID:
10157629
Job Description:
Project Design Manager Senior
Island & Destination Planning | Port Strategy, Development & Operations Integration
The Senior Project Design Manager leads the planning, integration, and delivery of design and engineering across a portfolio of complex capital projects supporting Disney Cruise Line’s island and destination assets.
Serving as the Owner’s Representative for design and engineering, this role is accountable for ensuring that architectural, engineering, creative, and operational requirements are fully integrated from concept through construction and turnover. The position blends technical expertise, design leadership, and cross-functional influence to deliver innovative, high-quality environments that enhance the guest and crew experience while maintaining operational continuity.
This is a temporary assignment with no guarantee of permanent placement.
- Lead end-to-end design and engineering delivery across multiple concurrent projects, from concept through construction and close-out
- Ensure design excellence, constructability, and alignment with project scope, schedule, and quality expectations
- Drive incorporation of innovative, sustainable, and experience-driven design solutions
- Prepare feasibility studies and/or code assessments of existing/future facilities
- Lead integration of architectural, engineering, creative, show, ride, and operational disciplines to deliver cohesive and fully coordinated solutions
- Partner closely with internal technical partners and Creative, Show/Ride, Operations, Engineering, and external consultants to align design intent with functional requirements
- Ensure all design packages meet RFP requirements, project scope, and enterprise standards
- Serve as the Owner’s Representative for design and engineering, overseeing consultants, deliverables, and contract compliance
- Direct the activities of in-house teams and external design partners in the development of construction documents
- Develop scopes of work, lead RFP processes, and support consultant selection
- Provide input into bid packaging and contracting strategies
- Own design schedules, labor plans, and associated budgets, ensuring alignment with overall project delivery milestones
- Monitor design progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to maintain schedule and cost targets
- Partner with functional leadership on staffing, resource planning, and cost management
- Translate complex design concepts, risks, and trade-offs into clear, actionable insights for executive leadership
- Provide regular updates on design status, key decisions, risks, and impacts to project and operations
- Facilitate alignment and decision-making across cross-functional stakeholders
- Ensure design solutions are fully integrated with operational requirements, minimizing disruption to ongoing operations and enhancing guest and crew experience
- Serve as the primary liaison with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) and regulatory agencies across the project portfolio
- Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and enterprise requirements
- Ensure adherence to and possess working knowledge of Disney standards.
- Provide day-to-day technical leadership across multiple venues or project scopes
- Ensure quality, consistency, and coordination of design documentation across all disciplines
- Maintain and validate facility base information and existing condition documentation
- Strategic & Systems Thinking – Integrates design, operational, and business requirements into cohesive solutions
- Decision Quality & Ownership – Drives timely, informed decisions in complex and ambiguous environments
- Collaboration & Influence – Builds alignment across diverse internal and external stakeholders
- Executive Communication – Delivers clear, concise messaging tailored to senior leadership audiences
- Adaptability & Resilience – Thrives in dynamic, high-pressure project environments
- Talent & Capability Development – Elevates team performance and builds organizational capability
- 10–15 years of experience in architecture, engineering, or design management within complex project environments
- Demonstrated success leading multi-disciplinary design teams across full project lifecycle delivery
- Broad knowledge of commercial construction practices, codes, engineering systems, and integrated design processes
- Experience acting in a client-facing or owner’s representative role
- Proficiency with design and project tools (e.g., Revit, AutoCAD, BIM platforms)
- Exceptional presentation and communication skills, including the ability to influence executive decision-making
- U.S. Professional licensure (Architect or Engineer)
- Experience in themed entertainment, hospitality, or complex destination development environments
- Strong understanding of storytelling through environment and guest experience design
- Familiarity with facility operations and lifecycle considerations
- Membership in professional organizations (AIA, ULI, CSI, USGBC, etc.)
- Experience with visualization and digital design tools (e.g., Rhino, Maya, Adobe Creative Suite)
- Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related technical field required
- Advanced degree (Master’s or MBA) preferred
The hiring range for this position in Celebration, FL is $132,600.00-$177,700.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
Job Posting Segment:
DCL Shoreside
Job Posting Primary Business:
Port Strategy, Development & Ops
Primary Job Posting Category:
Engineering Project Design
Employment Type:
Full time
Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Celebration, FL, USA
Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Date Posted:
2026-08-19
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