Project Design Manager Senior (PH/IA)

1594 Magical Cruise Company, Limited; Celebration (FL); On-site; USD 133,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Benefits package

Job summary

Disney Cruise Line is seeking a Senior Project Design Manager to lead the planning, integration, and delivery of design and engineering across multiple capital projects for island and destination assets in Celebration, FL. You will act as Owner’s Representative, coordinating architectural, engineering, show and operations disciplines to ensure design intent meets schedules, budgets, and safety standards.

The role is a temporary assignment with potential long-term incentives and comprehensive

Qualifications

• 10-15 years in architecture, engineering, or design management.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams across full lifecycle.
• Knowledge of construction practices, codes, and integrated design.
• Experience as owner’s representative or client-facing role.
• Proficient with Revit, AutoCAD and BIM tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design and engineering delivery across projects.
• Ensure design excellence, constructability, and alignment with schedule.
• Coordinate architectural, engineering, show/ride, and operations disciplines.
• Manage consultants, scopes of work, and RFP processes.
• Provide executive-level status updates and risk mitigation.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional

Presentation

Client-facing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture/Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

BIM platforms

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

Role Summary

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.

Design Leadership & Delivery

• 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

Multi-Disciplinary Integration

• 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

Owner’s Representative & Consultant Management

• 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

Planning, Financial & Design Controls

• 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

Stakeholder Engagement & Executive Communication

• 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

Operational & Regulatory Integration

• 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

Technical Design Management

• 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

Leadership Capabilities

• 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

Required Qualifications

• 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)

Preferred Qualifications

• 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)

Education

• 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.

• Full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits

Job Posting Segment: DCL Shoreside

Job Posting Primary Business: Port Strategy, Development & Ops

Job Posting 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

Learn more about us.