Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: Mace

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-time, Regular

Category: Design Management / Operations Support

Date Posted: 2026-05-13T05:05:42

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the critical coordination and management of design activities within large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly in the transit and transportation sectors.

• It involves supporting senior design managers by ensuring design deliverables are meticulously planned, coordinated, reviewed, and progressed to meet stringent project and business objectives.

• The position requires a proactive approach to managing information flow, tracking progress against schedules, and facilitating effective communication among multidisciplinary teams, consultants, and clients.

• As a Design Manager, you will be instrumental in maintaining design integrity, supporting technical review workflows, and ensuring comprehensive record-keeping for project assurance and audits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Design Manager" title in this context, coupled with the responsibilities described, indicates a role focused on the operational aspects of design delivery rather than pure creative design. It aligns with positions often found within project management or operations support functions in large engineering and construction firms, emphasizing process, coordination, and stakeholder management. This role is distinct from a creative design lead and is more aligned with operations professionals who ensure the smooth execution and delivery of design packages.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Multidisciplinary Design Coordination: Manage and coordinate design activities across various engineering disciplines, ensuring seamless integration and alignment with overall project objectives.

• Design Deliverable Management: Assist in the planning, tracking, and reporting of design deliverables, ensuring they meet agreed schedules, milestones, and quality standards.

• Meeting Facilitation and Action Tracking: Organize and manage design and coordination meetings, including preparing agendas, documenting minutes, and diligently tracking action items to closure.

• Design Information Flow Management: Oversee the effective flow of design information between internal teams, external consultants, contractors, and client representatives to maintain project momentum.

• Technical Review Support: Support design review processes by collating comments from stakeholders, tracking responses, and ensuring timely closure of review cycles.

• Documentation and Record Keeping: Maintain and update design trackers, registers, and document logs in accordance with project governance and reporting requirements, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.

• Interface Coordination: Assist in coordinating interfaces between different design disciplines, consultants, contractors, and other project stakeholders to prevent conflicts and ensure holistic design integration.

• Project Record Maintenance: Ensure accurate and up-to-date design records are maintained to support project assurance, audits, and reporting activities.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Support the development and maintenance of strong working relationships with project teams, consultants, clients, and contractors.

• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to enhance design coordination processes and workflows for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Design Manager," the responsibilities listed are heavily skewed towards project coordination, process management, and administrative support within the design lifecycle. This suggests the role is less about creative design leadership and more about operational execution of design management. The emphasis on "assisting," "supporting," and "managing coordination" points to a role that ensures the design process runs smoothly within a larger project framework. This is a key differentiator for operations professionals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Proven experience in a design coordination, design management support, or technical administration role within infrastructure or construction projects.

• Exposure to transit, transportation, or multidisciplinary infrastructure projects is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Design Coordination: Ability to effectively manage and integrate design efforts from multiple disciplines.

• Project Planning & Tracking: Proficiency in planning, scheduling, and tracking design deliverables and project milestones.

• Technical Administration: Strong skills in managing documentation, registers, and action items within a project context.

• Microsoft Office Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for reporting, tracking, and communication.

• Communication Skills: Clear and effective written and verbal communication for engaging with diverse stakeholders.

• Organizational Skills: Exceptional ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Document Management Systems: Familiarity with systems such as ProjectWise or SharePoint for efficient document control and collaboration.

• Infrastructure Project Acumen: Specific experience within transit, transportation, or large-scale multidisciplinary infrastructure projects.

• Technical Review Processes: Understanding of how to facilitate and manage technical design reviews.

• Stakeholder Management: Experience in coordinating with external consultants, contractors, and client representatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level suggests an individual who is beyond an entry-level position but still developing their expertise in large-scale project design management. The emphasis on process, coordination, and administrative support, rather than pure design innovation, makes this role a strong fit for operations professionals with a background in project execution and support within the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Coordination Case Studies: Showcase examples of how you have managed or supported the coordination of multidisciplinary design elements for complex projects, detailing the challenges and your approach.

• Process Optimization Examples: Provide instances where you improved design coordination workflows, document management processes, or meeting facilitation to enhance project efficiency.

• System Implementation/Usage: Demonstrate experience utilizing document management systems (like ProjectWise or SharePoint) or advanced Excel for tracking and reporting, highlighting specific functionalities used.

• Metrics and Reporting: Include examples of how you have tracked and reported on design progress, key performance indicators (KPIs), and resolved design issues.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Evidence of involvement in designing, documenting, or improving design coordination workflows, including information exchange protocols.

• Implementation and Automation: Examples of implementing new processes or utilizing tools to automate tracking, reporting, or communication tasks within the design lifecycle.

• Measurement and Performance Analysis: Documentation of how design progress and efficiency were measured, analyzed, and reported to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on design coordination and management support, a portfolio should emphasize organizational capabilities, process adherence, and the ability to manage complex information flows. Candidates should highlight examples of successful coordination across different technical disciplines and their role in ensuring design integrity and timely delivery. Demonstrating proficiency with project management tools and document control systems will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health and Dental Coverage: Provides support for medical and dental needs.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Opportunities for long-term financial security, potentially with company matching contributions.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays to support work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, certifications, and continued learning to advance skills in design management and related fields.

• Hybrid Work Flexibility: Combines onsite collaboration with remote work flexibility, promoting a balanced work environment.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Offers confidential counseling and support services for personal and professional challenges.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid work arrangement suggests flexibility in scheduling, with an expectation of collaboration during core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on publicly available data for similar roles in Toronto, Canada, considering the experience level and industry. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications, specific project assignments, and Mace's internal compensation structure. Benefits listed are typical for a company of Mace's size and industry in Canada.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Construction & Consultancy (Infrastructure focus)

Company Size: Mace is a global consultancy and construction company, typically employing over 6,000 people worldwide. This size suggests a structured corporate environment with established processes, career frameworks, and significant project opportunities.

Founded: Mace was founded in 1990, indicating a well-established company with a track record in delivering complex projects globally.

Team Structure:

• Operations-Centric Team: The Design Manager role is positioned within Mace’s consulting team, supporting design management on major infrastructure programs. This team likely comprises senior design managers, project managers, technical specialists, and support staff.

• Reporting: The role reports to senior design managers or project leads, working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary project team.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Expect close collaboration with engineering disciplines, project controls, procurement, client representatives, and external consultants/contractors.

Methodology:

• Structured Project Delivery: Mace likely employs established project management methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile principles adapted for construction) to ensure predictable outcomes.

• Data-Driven Coordination: Emphasis on using data from trackers, registers, and reporting tools to inform decision-making and progress monitoring.

• Continuous Improvement: A culture that encourages identifying and implementing efficiencies in design coordination and project execution processes.

Company Website: https://www.macegroup.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Mace's global presence and focus on major infrastructure projects suggest a professional, results-oriented culture. The company's values—Safety First, Client Focus, Integrity, and Create Opportunity—will likely permeate the daily work environment, emphasizing accountability, collaboration, and personal development. For operations professionals, this means an environment where process, efficiency, and clear communication are highly valued.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an intermediate level, suitable for professionals with 2-5 years of experience looking to deepen their expertise in design management within large-scale infrastructure projects. It's a stepping stone towards more senior design management or project management roles.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will report to senior design managers or project managers, providing crucial support for design delivery. This structure allows for mentorship and learning from experienced professionals.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on project success by ensuring that design is coordinated effectively, delivered on time, and meets quality standards. This operational efficiency directly contributes to project timelines, budget adherence, and client satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in specific infrastructure sectors (e.g., transit, transportation) or design management methodologies.

• Advanced Certifications: Pursue certifications in project management (e.g., PMP) or design coordination relevant to the construction and infrastructure industry.

• Leadership Progression: Advance to Senior Design Manager, Project Manager, or Program Manager roles by demonstrating strong coordination, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gain experience across various technical disciplines, broadening understanding of complex engineering projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Design Manager" title, when viewed through an operations lens, represents a crucial support function within project execution. The growth path typically involves moving from managing specific design packages or coordination tasks to overseeing larger design scopes, managing teams, and eventually taking on full project management responsibilities. This role offers a solid foundation for a career in operations management within the built environment sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment. This indicates a combination of working from a Mace office location and remotely.

Office Location(s): Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Specific office details would be provided upon engagement.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Mace office will likely serve as a hub for team meetings, coordination sessions, and collaborative problem-solving, fostering direct interaction among project teams.

• Technology-Enabled: Access to necessary technology, including robust IT infrastructure, potentially specific design and document management software, and communication tools to support both onsite and remote work.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular face-to-face interaction with colleagues, senior management, and potentially clients, facilitating relationship building and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) with a hybrid arrangement, allowing for a balance between structured office work and remote flexibility. This schedule is designed to accommodate project demands while promoting employee wellbeing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role is a significant aspect for operations professionals, offering flexibility while maintaining the need for physical presence for critical team coordination and collaboration. Candidates should be prepared to balance remote self-management with onsite engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and resume to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Technical Interview: Discussion focused on your experience in design coordination, project management, and understanding of design delivery processes. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past projects.

• Case Study/Scenario-Based Interview: You might be presented with a scenario related to design coordination challenges on an infrastructure project and asked to outline your approach. This assesses problem-solving skills and process thinking.

• Cultural Fit Interview: An opportunity to discuss Mace's values and how you align with the company culture, as well as for you to ask questions about the team and role.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader, focusing on overall fit, career aspirations, and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Process & Coordination: Focus on how you managed information flow, coordinated multidisciplinary inputs, and ensured design integrity.

• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., reduced RFI turnaround time, successful delivery of X number of design packages on schedule).

• Showcase Tool Proficiency: Include examples demonstrating your skills with Microsoft Office, ProjectWise, SharePoint, or other relevant project management/document control software.

• Tell a Story: Frame your project examples as mini case studies, outlining the objective, your role, the actions taken, and the outcome.

• Tailor to Mace: Research Mace's current projects and values to tailor your portfolio presentation and highlight relevant experience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Coordination Scenarios: Prepare for questions about how you would handle conflicting design requirements, manage delays in design submissions, or coordinate input from multiple external consultants.

• Process Improvement Ideas: Think about how you would streamline design review processes or improve communication channels on a complex infrastructure project.

• Stakeholder Management: Prepare to discuss how you would manage communication and expectations with various stakeholders, including clients, contractors, and internal engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the operational focus of this role, interviewers will likely probe into your practical experience with process management, documentation, and coordination. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates your ability to manage complex information and facilitate smooth design delivery will be a significant advantage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Essential for daily operations, including Word for documentation, Excel for tracking and analysis, PowerPoint for presentations, and Outlook for communication.

• Document Management Systems: Familiarity with systems like ProjectWise or SharePoint is highly desirable for managing design documents, revisions, and version control in a structured environment.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Excel: Crucial for creating custom trackers, generating reports on design progress, and performing basic data analysis.

• Project Management Software: While not explicitly listed for this role, exposure to project management platforms that track design milestones and dependencies would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Internal Mace Systems: Mace likely uses internal project management and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Familiarity with large corporate systems is a plus.

• Communication Platforms: Tools like Microsoft Teams or similar for internal communication and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel for tracking and reporting, is a baseline requirement. Experience with document management systems like ProjectWise or SharePoint is a significant advantage, as these are standard tools for managing design information in large infrastructure projects. Candidates should be ready to discuss how they've used these tools to ensure process adherence and data integrity.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Safety First: A paramount value in construction and infrastructure, emphasizing a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks in all processes.

• Client Focus: Commitment to delivering high-quality design coordination and supporting project success to build lasting client relationships.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in all dealings, ensuring compliance and transparency in design information management and reporting.

• Create Opportunity: Encouraging continuous improvement, professional development, and a culture where individuals can excel in their roles and contribute to innovation in process and delivery.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: Working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, valuing input from all members to achieve collective project goals.

• Process-Driven: A systematic approach to managing design coordination, ensuring that established workflows are followed and improved upon.

• Proactive Communication: Emphasis on clear, timely, and effective communication to keep all stakeholders informed and aligned throughout the design lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mace's stated values are integral to its operational approach. For a Design Manager, this means demonstrating a commitment to safety in all coordination activities, prioritizing client needs in design delivery, acting with integrity in managing project information, and actively seeking opportunities to improve processes and personal skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Competing Priorities: Juggling multiple design streams, stakeholder requests, and tight deadlines inherent in large infrastructure projects.

• Information Overload: Effectively organizing and disseminating vast amounts of design information from various sources to ensure clarity and accuracy.

• Cross-Disciplinary Communication Gaps: Bridging potential communication barriers between different engineering disciplines and external parties to ensure design cohesion.

• Adapting to Project Changes: Responding effectively to design revisions, scope changes, and evolving project requirements while maintaining schedule integrity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Coordination Techniques: Learning best practices for managing complex design interfaces and multidisciplinary integration.

• Project Management Skills: Developing skills in project planning, risk management, and stakeholder engagement through mentorship and practical experience.

• Industry-Specific Knowledge: Gaining deeper insights into transit and transportation infrastructure design and construction processes.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to take on more responsibility, lead coordination efforts, and potentially manage junior team members as experience grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a substantial learning curve in managing complex project processes. The challenges are typical of large-scale operations within the construction and infrastructure sector, providing valuable experience for career development. The growth opportunities are clearly defined, allowing ambitious operations professionals to map out a progression path.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Coordination Strategy: "Describe your approach to coordinating design activities across multiple disciplines on a complex infrastructure project. What are the key challenges, and how do you mitigate them?" Focus on process, communication, and risk management.

• Process Improvement: "Can you give an example of a time you identified an inefficiency in a design coordination or document management process and what steps you took to improve it?" Highlight analytical skills and proactive problem-solving.

• Stakeholder Management: "How do you ensure effective communication and alignment between design teams, contractors, and client representatives? Describe a challenging stakeholder situation and how you resolved it." Emphasize communication clarity and diplomacy.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Values Alignment: "How do Mace's values (Safety First, Client Focus, Integrity, Create Opportunity) resonate with your professional approach, and how would you apply them in this role?" Be ready to provide specific examples.

• Team Collaboration: "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative and productive working atmosphere."

• Role Impact: "How do you see this Design Manager role contributing to the successful delivery of Mace's infrastructure projects in Canada?" Focus on operational efficiency and project support.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type or by skill set (e.g., Coordination, Document Management, Reporting).

• Process Flow: For each example, clearly outline the process you followed, the tools you used, and how you managed information flow.

• Visual Aids: Use diagrams, flowcharts, or screenshots of trackers/dashboards where appropriate to illustrate your points.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to walk through key examples efficiently, highlighting your role and the outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating your understanding of operational processes within design management. Emphasize your ability to organize, coordinate, and communicate effectively. A portfolio that visually represents your process management skills will be highly beneficial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Mace careers portal (link provided in the original listing).

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in design coordination, project support, document management, and proficiency with Microsoft Office and any relevant systems (ProjectWise, SharePoint). Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Assemble examples of your work that demonstrate your organizational skills, process management capabilities, and experience coordinating design activities. Focus on case studies that show your problem-solving approach and impact.

• Research Mace: Familiarize yourself with Mace's values, recent infrastructure projects in Canada (especially transit/transportation), and their overall approach to consulting and construction.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare answers to common interview questions focusing on your operational skills, coordination experience, and alignment with Mace's culture and values.

⚠️ 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.