Senior Design Leader - Owner’s Rep & Architect

mocasystems; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

MOCA Systems, Inc. in Irvine, CA seeks a Senior Design Manager to lead envisioning and design management across large projects.

You will drive programming, master planning, procurement, and coordination among architects, engineers, and contractors, aligning with the owner's vision and quality expectations. The role requires NCARB accreditation and 8+ years of experience, California licensure preferred, with up to 25% travel.

Qualifications

• NCARB accredited Bachelor’s degree in architecture and a minimum of eight (8) years as a practicing architect including the management of a team involved in planning and design.
• Registered Architect in the State of California and active license preferred.
• Other industry accreditations or certifications such as LEED AP, DBIA, PMP or CCM desired.
• Design Management experience required.
• Significant experience in design phases of work required.
• Organizational and project management skills.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills
• Manage and develop high performing teams.
• Implement and execute vision and goals.
• Prioritize work and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Develop a pipeline directly or indirectly by using multiple market resources.
• Set priorities and work in group or independent settings.
• Be client focused and detail oriented.
• Manage staff of different disciplines to produce results on time and within budget.
• Communicate to and brief leaders.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft products and design software.

Responsibilities

• Leads the execution in the delivery of services for complex projects: visioning, feasibility studies, programming, master planning, and procurement.
• Fosters a collaborative environment with architect and contractor teams; maintains client relationships.
• Maintains open dialogue with client and stakeholders on status, progress, and expectations.
• Guides the team to meet the client’s vision and outcomes.
• Mentors project personnel for assigned projects.
• Ensures performance within cost, schedule and quality standards; reports progress.
• Leads project meetings as the MOCA project team’s primary day-to-day representative.
• Supports leadership in business development: client meetings, proposals, networking, interviews.
• Contributes to proposals and content; ensures adherence to standards.
• Provides leadership and supervision of project staff and performance management.
• Collaborates on planning proposals, fees, and execution strategies.
• Facilitates client workshops and documents findings.
• Crafts Comprehensive Implementation Plans with leadership.
• Leads design and construction teams to stay aligned with initial vision.
• Provides design management oversight and ensures contract accountability.
• Attends field walks and reviews to verify quality and craftsmanship.
• Travel up to 25% to project sites and offices.

Skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Team leadership

Client communication

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Proposal writing

Microsoft Office

Design coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Tools

Rhino

Enscape

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

Bluebeam Revu

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint)

Job description

MOCA Systems, Inc. in Irvine, CA seeks a Senior Design Manager to lead envisioning and design management across large projects.

You will drive programming, master planning, procurement, and coordination among architects, engineers, and contractors, aligning with the owner's vision and quality expectations. The role requires NCARB accreditation and 8+ years of experience, California licensure preferred, with up to 25% travel.