Design Manager A/E

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager A/E

Company: O2EPCM, Inc. dba O2 Engineering, Projects & Construction Management

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Operations - Design & Construction Management

Date Posted: August 14, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversees the entire design process for Architectural & Engineering (A&E) services, ensuring alignment with functional, budgetary, environmental, and legal parameters.

• Manages multiple concurrent capital projects, including critical repairs and modernizations, by fostering effective collaboration with external Architects, consultants, and internal District personnel.

• Ensures building designs strictly adhere to the specific standards and guidelines of the client, particularly for educational facilities.

• Plays a key role in the selection of architectural firms best suited for projects based on rigorous qualification and performance standard assessments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a specialized segment of construction and project management, focusing heavily on the upstream design phases. While not a direct Revenue Operations or Sales Operations role, the emphasis on process management, stakeholder coordination, budget adherence, and ensuring project success aligns with core operational principles. The "A/E" designation points to a focus on Architectural and Engineering disciplines, requiring a strong understanding of design workflows and regulatory compliance within the construction and public sector domain.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Process Management: Lead, develop, and coordinate the district’s design process for A&E services, ensuring all plans are within functional program, budgetary, environmental, and legal requirements.

• Project Oversight: Manage multiple projects concurrently, including engineering repairs and critical repairs, through effective interaction with Architects, consultants, and District personnel to ensure timely completion.

• Standards Compliance: Oversee the building design process to ensure compliance with client standards and guidelines, collaborating with design professionals and administrators to meet educational and building standards.

• Firm Selection: Establish and execute a robust process to identify and select the architectural firm best suited for each project, evaluating their qualifications and ability to meet performance standards.

• Direction & Guidance: Provide clear and consistent direction to Architects regarding project goals, objectives, standards, site requirements, schedule, and budget.

• Design Review: Establish and implement an effective and efficient design review process to ensure designs meet overall project goals and objectives, maximizing value for budgeted funds.

• Budgetary Control: Review design changes meticulously to ensure projects remain within budget constraints.

• Status Monitoring & Reporting: Monitor project planning and design status, reporting findings, recommendations, and updates to relevant stakeholders.

• Additional Duties: Perform other assigned duties as necessary to support project and organizational objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on process control, risk management (budgetary and compliance), and vendor management (Architects and consultants). For operations professionals, this translates to managing complex workflows, ensuring adherence to SOPs (Standards and Guidelines), and driving efficiency in project delivery through effective coordination and oversight.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Engineering. Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of full-time, paid professional experience managing facilities design, or the planning and coordination of capital projects. This experience must encompass overall design, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling activities.

• A minimum of 4 years of this experience must specifically involve the design, planning, and construction of educational facilities or similar public agency projects. Required Skills:

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple large-scale capital projects from inception through design completion.

• A&E Coordination: Expertise in coordinating with architectural and engineering firms, providing clear direction, and managing design deliverables.

• Budget Management: Strong financial acumen in managing project budgets, reviewing design changes, and ensuring cost-effectiveness.

• Compliance & Standards: Deep understanding of public sector or educational facility design standards, building codes, and regulatory requirements.

• Contract Administration: Experience in overseeing contract terms, performance standards, and consultant agreements.

• Cost Estimating & Scheduling: Proficiency in cost estimation and project scheduling for complex construction and design projects.

• Stakeholder Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, consultants, and internal teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Professional Registration: A valid Certificate of Registration as an Architect by the California State Architectural Board OR a Professional Engineer by the State Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

• Public Agency Experience: Direct experience working with or for public agencies, particularly in educational environments.

• Risk Management: Ability to identify and mitigate design-related risks proactively.

• Negotiation Skills: Experience in negotiating contracts and design fees.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements are substantial, indicating a senior-level role. The preference for professional licensure is a significant differentiator, suggesting that candidates with these credentials will have a distinct advantage. For operations professionals, the transferable skills lie in the structured approach to managing complex processes, ensuring quality control, and driving project outcomes within defined constraints.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Management Case Studies: Detailed examples of managed capital projects, highlighting scope, budget, timeline, and key challenges overcome.

• Design Oversight Examples: Documentation showcasing involvement in the design review process, demonstrating ability to ensure compliance and quality.

• Budgetary Control Evidence: Examples of managing project budgets, including how design changes were evaluated and controlled to stay within financial parameters.

• Contract Management Samples: Documentation or descriptions of experience in contract administration for A&E services, including selection criteria and performance monitoring.

Process Documentation:

• Design Workflow Optimization: Showcase experience in establishing and refining design review processes for efficiency and effectiveness.

• Firm Selection Methodology: Detail the process used for identifying, evaluating, and selecting architectural and engineering firms.

• Compliance Frameworks: Illustrate understanding of how standards and guidelines are integrated into the design process and monitored for adherence.

• Reporting Structures: Examples of project status reporting, including metrics used and communication methods for stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is not a typical RevOps or SalesOps position, a "portfolio" here would likely focus on demonstrating a track record of successfully managing complex design and construction projects. Operations professionals can translate this by presenting case studies that highlight their ability to manage projects, optimize processes, control budgets, and ensure compliance, using quantifiable results where possible.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $144,000 - $151,000 per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% paid base coverage for Health, Vision, and Dental insurance.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan.

• Paid Time Off: Generous Paid Holidays, Paid Sick Leave, and Paid Vacation.

• Employee Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Design Manager role in Los Angeles, CA, reflecting the required experience and responsibilities. The benefits package is robust, with 100% employer-paid health coverage being a significant perk. For operations professionals, understanding how to interpret and articulate the value of such benefits, especially in terms of total compensation, is a key skill. The standard 40-hour work week is typical, but the demands of project management may necessitate flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional, Technical, Consulting, and Management Services within the Planning, Design, Engineering, and Construction Industry. O2EPCM serves Local, State, and Federal Government Agencies, Utility Companies, and Private Clients.

Company Size: Information not directly provided, but the description suggests a firm capable of managing large-scale projects for significant clients, implying a mid-to-large size organization or a well-established consultancy.

Founded: Information not directly provided, but the description states "award-winning experienced firm," indicating a history of successful project delivery and industry recognition.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The role operates within a project-based structure, likely reporting to a Director of Project Management or a similar senior leadership position overseeing capital projects.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The Design Manager will work closely with internal project managers, external architects, engineering consultants, government agency representatives, and potentially construction teams.

• Specialized Teams: The company likely comprises specialized teams for project management, design review, construction oversight, and administrative support, with this role acting as a central hub for the design phase.

Methodology:

• Client-Centric Solutions: Emphasis on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions tailored to client needs, whether government, utility, or private.

• Quality & Compliance: A rigorous approach to ensuring designs meet stringent functional, budgetary, environmental, and legal requirements, alongside client-specific standards.

• Project Lifecycle Management: A structured methodology for managing projects from planning and design through to potential construction oversight, with a strong focus on the early stages of the project lifecycle.

Company Website: https://o2epcm.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: O2EPCM's focus on public sector and utility clients suggests a culture that values reliability, compliance, and long-term relationships. The "award-winning" status implies a commitment to excellence and high-quality delivery. For operations professionals, this means a focus on process adherence, meticulous documentation, and strong stakeholder management.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior-level management position, overseeing a critical phase of the project lifecycle. It requires extensive experience in both technical design aspects and project management methodologies.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager likely reports to a Director of Project Management or a VP of Operations, with direct oversight of external design consultants and close collaboration with internal project teams.

Operations Impact: This role has a significant impact on the ultimate success of capital projects by ensuring designs are feasible, compliant, and cost-effective from the outset. Poor design management can lead to costly rework, delays, and project failure, while effective management ensures projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to specification.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance into roles such as Director of Project Management, VP of Operations, or Program Manager overseeing larger portfolios of capital projects.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of public sector or educational facility design and management.

• Mentorship: Possibility to mentor junior project managers or design coordinators within the organization.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to the development of company-wide design and project management best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Design Manager in this industry is typically linear within project and construction management. For operations professionals, the transferable growth aspect lies in developing strategic oversight capabilities, managing larger teams or budgets, and influencing operational efficiency across broader organizational functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Onsite in Los Angeles, CA. This indicates a traditional office-based work environment.

Office Location(s): Los Angeles, California. Specific office details not provided, but proximity to major infrastructure projects and government agencies in the region is likely.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The workspace is expected to facilitate close collaboration with internal project teams and provide a base for managing external consultant relationships.

• Resource Availability: Access to project management software, design review tools, and standard office infrastructure is assumed.

• Professional Setting: The environment will likely be professional, with a focus on project deadlines and client deliverables.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, Monday to Friday. While the schedule is defined, the nature of project management may require occasional flexibility to meet critical deadlines or address urgent issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Onsite" requirement means candidates must be local to Southern California or willing to relocate. The professional office environment supports the structured nature of project management and design coordination, emphasizing accountability and team interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and qualifications against minimum requirements.

• Technical Interview: Discussion focused on design management principles, A&E coordination, budget control, compliance, and experience with educational facilities. Candidates may be asked to discuss specific projects from their portfolio.

• Project List/Portfolio Review: Detailed examination of past projects, including their value, scope, and the candidate's specific role and contributions.

• Behavioral Interview: Assessment of leadership, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills, often using situational or experience-based questions.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership or key stakeholders to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Achievements: For each project, clearly state the budget, scope, timeline, and any quantifiable results (e.g., cost savings, schedule adherence, successful compliance audits).

• Highlight Process: Detail the specific design management processes you implemented or improved, emphasizing efficiency and effectiveness.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Be prepared to discuss challenges encountered in past projects and how you navigated them, particularly those related to design, budget, or compliance.

• Focus on Collaboration: Illustrate your ability to effectively manage and communicate with diverse stakeholders, including architects, engineers, government officials, and internal teams.

• Tailor to Role: Emphasize experience with educational facilities and public agency projects if applicable, as this is a key requirement.

Challenge Preparation:

• Hypothetical Project Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would approach managing a new design project, including initial steps, key considerations, and risk mitigation strategies.

• Budgetary Dilemma: Prepare to explain how you would handle a significant design change request that impacts the project budget.

• Compliance Issue: Consider how you would address a situation where a design proposal deviates from client standards or regulatory requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "Project List with values, dates, and company of any projects worked" is a critical component of the application. Candidates should prepare this list meticulously, ensuring it aligns with the experience requirements and showcases relevant projects. For operations professionals, this translates to preparing a detailed "work history" that emphasizes project management, process improvement, and quantifiable results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency in industry-standard project management platforms (e.g., Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Primavera P6, MS Project) for scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.

• Design Review Software: Familiarity with tools used for collaborative design review and mark-up (e.g., Bluebeam Revu, Adobe Acrobat Pro).

• Budgeting & Estimating Software: Experience with tools for cost estimation and financial tracking within construction projects.

• Document Management Systems: Ability to manage and organize large volumes of project documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Spreadsheet Software: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for data analysis, budget tracking, and reporting.

• Reporting Dashboards: Experience creating and interpreting project status reports and dashboards for various stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how project data is managed and communicated across different systems is beneficial. Familiarity with any internal company systems for managing client relationships or project workflows would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific software is not listed, the role inherently requires strong proficiency in project management and financial tracking tools common in the A&E and construction industries. Operations professionals should highlight their experience with similar systems focused on workflow management, data integrity, and reporting.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity & Compliance: A strong commitment to ethical conduct, adherence to regulations, and meeting contractual obligations.

• Excellence in Delivery: A drive to achieve high-quality outcomes, ensuring projects are functional, sustainable, and meet client expectations.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering a collaborative environment with internal teams, external consultants, and clients to achieve shared project goals.

• Efficiency & Value: A focus on optimizing processes and resource allocation to deliver maximum value for the invested budget.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of project outcomes, from design integrity to budget adherence.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Communication: Regularly engaging with all project stakeholders to ensure alignment and address potential issues early.

• Structured Feedback: Implementing formal and informal feedback mechanisms within the design review process to continuously improve project outcomes.

• Problem-Solving Orientation: A team culture that encourages proactive identification and collaborative resolution of challenges.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices and lessons learned across projects to enhance overall organizational capability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on government and public sector clients suggests a culture that values reliability, transparency, and a structured approach to work. Operations professionals will find this aligns well with a data-driven, process-oriented mindset.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Regulatory Complexity: Staying abreast of and ensuring compliance with evolving building codes, environmental regulations, and client-specific standards.

• Managing Conflicting Priorities: Balancing the demands of multiple projects, each with its own unique set of stakeholders, deadlines, and budget constraints.

• Effective Consultant Management: Ensuring external A&E firms deliver high-quality work on time and within budget, requiring strong oversight and communication.

• Budgetary Pressures: Addressing design changes or unforeseen issues that threaten project budgets and finding cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Project Management Techniques: Opportunities to attend workshops or pursue certifications in advanced project management methodologies.

• Industry-Specific Training: Access to training on new construction technologies, sustainable design practices, or specific client requirements.

• Leadership Development: Potential for formal leadership training programs offered by the company or through industry associations.

• Mentorship Programs: Guidance from senior leaders within O2EPCM to develop strategic thinking and career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role are typical for senior project and design management positions in complex industries. For operations professionals, the transferable skills involve developing robust risk management strategies, mastering stakeholder engagement, and continuously seeking process improvements to enhance efficiency and mitigate challenges.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for managing the design phase of a large capital project, from initial scope definition to final design approval." (Focus on structured phases, key decision points, and documentation.)

• "How do you ensure architectural and engineering consultants are meeting project objectives, budget, and schedule requirements?" (Highlight your oversight, communication, and performance management strategies.)

• "Walk me through a time you had to manage a significant design change that impacted the project budget. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare a STAR method response focusing on problem-solving, budget control, and stakeholder communication.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about O2EPCM and our work in the public sector/educational facilities?" (Research the company's website, recent projects, and mission.)

• "How do you approach building and maintaining relationships with external design consultants and government agency representatives?" (Emphasize collaboration, clear communication, and trust-building.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to ensure compliance with a complex set of standards or regulations. How did you approach it?" (Showcase your understanding of compliance frameworks and attention to detail.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project presented, clearly outline the objective, your role, the key challenges, the processes you managed (design, budget, compliance), and the quantifiable results.

• Highlight Process Improvements: If possible, detail how you improved a design management process or implemented a new workflow that led to better outcomes.

• Focus on Decision-Making: Be prepared to explain the rationale behind your key decisions, especially those related to budget, scope, or consultant selection.

• Visual Aids (If applicable): If presenting digitally, use clear visuals like charts or timelines to illustrate project progress or budget tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will heavily focus on practical experience, problem-solving, and process management. Candidates should prepare specific examples that demonstrate their ability to manage complex projects, control costs, ensure compliance, and lead cross-functional teams effectively. For operations professionals, framing their experience in terms of process optimization, data-driven decision-making, and stakeholder alignment will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager A/E position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Greenhouse platform.

• Curate Your Project List: meticulously compile your "Project List with values, dates, and company of any projects worked." Ensure it highlights 8+ years of relevant experience, with at least 4 years in educational or public agency facilities. Quantify project values and clearly define your role and responsibilities for each.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to emphasize your experience in facilities design management, capital project coordination, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling. Integrate keywords from the job description such as "A&E Services," "design process," "budgetary requirements," "compliance," and "educational facilities."

• Prepare for Portfolio Discussion: Be ready to articulate the details of your project list and discuss specific case studies during interviews. Practice presenting your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions.

• Research O2EPCM: Thoroughly research O2EPCM, Inc., focusing on their project portfolio, company mission, and values. Understand their work with government agencies and utility companies to tailor your responses and demonstrate cultural fit.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.