Senior Design Manager

Paragon Em; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 185,500 - 218,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational design firm seeks a Senior Design Manager to lead the design of significant projects for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Responsibilities include overseeing design activities, ensuring compliance with educational standards, and managing multiple projects. Qualified candidates should have 15 years of experience in facilities design, 5 of which must be in K-12 education, along with a relevant degree and architectural certification. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package with details provided upon application.

Qualifications

• 15 years of full-time paid professional experience managing facilities design or capital projects.
• 5 years of experience with K-12 educational facilities.
• Experience in design, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Plan and direct design activities for the School Upgrade Program.
• Manage the design process ensuring legal and budget compliance.
• Coordinate with architects and consultants throughout project phases.
• Oversee compliance with LAUSD standards and guidelines.
• Establish selection processes for architectural firms.

Skills

Project management

Design review process

Community relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture or engineering

Master’s degree in architecture or engineering (preferred)

Valid Certificate of Registration as an Architect or Professional Engineer

Job description

SENIOR DESIGN MANAGER

Program: Los Angeles Unified School District – Asset Management
Salary Range: $185.5K to $218.0K annual base salary plus benefits
Positions Open: One (1)

DUTIES

• Plan, organize, and direct the design activities for the School Upgrade Program and critical repair projects. Function as the lead design professional in the Design Department providing quality review, implementation of policy and procedures and interface and coordinate with the Division of State Architects (DSA)
• Manage, develop, and coordinate the District’s design process for the Facilities Planning and Development Division to ensure that plans are within functional program, budgetary, environmental and legal requirements
• Manage multiple projects through interaction with Architects, consultants, and District personnel from project conception, through draft to final review, approval, and handoff to Project Execution
• Oversee the building design process to ensure compliance with LAUSD’s standards and guidelines for the District by working with design professionals and various District administrators to ensure that new and modernized structures meet both educational and building standards requirements
• Establish and follow a process to identify and select the architectural firm best suited for each project based on the firm’s qualifications and ability to meet performance standards
• Provide Architects with clear and consistent direction with regard to goals and objectives, standards, site, schedule, and budget for each project
• Establish and follow an effective and efficient design review process to ensure that the design meets the overall goals and objectives for the project, providing maximum value for budgeted dollars and appropriate and sustainable in meeting the functional needs of the District, the local community, and the environment
• Ensure that decisions are made in a timely manner
• Ensure that all steps within the project are documented and that the documentation meets legal requirements
• Review design changes submitted to ensure project remains within budget
• Recommend architectural firm assignment from an established list of pre-qualified architectural firms
• Participate in community relations and outreach programs to create understanding and acceptance of District building projects design within the community
• Coordinate with a host of professional staff who support the design function for the District
• Develop continuing education opportunities, i.e., seminars and workshops, to learn and share up-to-date information on working with architects and contractors
• Coordinate project activities with other District organizational branches and departments such as the Office of the Environmental Health and Safety, A/E Design Services, Maintenance and Operations, School Occupancy Transitional Unit, Asbestos Technical Unit and Local Districts
• Performs other duties as assigned

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Fifteen (15) years full-time paid professional experience managing the facilities design, or the planning and coordination of capital projects that includes the overall design, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling activities
• 5 years of this experience must be with the design, planning and construction of K-12 educational facilities

REQUIRED EDUCATION

• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in architecture or engineering
• A master’s degree in architecture or engineering is preferred Licenses and Certificates:
• A valid Certificate of Registration as an Architect by the California State Architectural Board or Professional Engineer by the State Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors

RESUME SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Deadline to submit resume:

Monday February 2, 2026 @ 9:00am (no late submissions accepted)

Please email cover letter, resume, and salary requirements: [e-mail]

Subject line: LAUSD Senior Design Manager

APPROXIMATE PROCESSING TIME

SHORTLIST: Within 1 week after deadline to submit resume.

INTERVIEW: Within 2 weeks after deadline to submit resume.

SELECTION NOTIFICATION: Within 3 weeks after deadline to submit resume.

Recruitment# CM-SDM-0126-06