Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Location: Plano, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design & Construction Management

Date Posted: 2026-07-27

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead comprehensive design services for advanced/alternative design and construction delivery contracts, ensuring full integration of design into project execution.

• Partner with project and discipline leads to guide all design decisions from inception through completion, maintaining program requirements, schedule, budget, and quality.

• Facilitate team coordination, constructability reviews, and design quality assurance to achieve customer delight.

• Act as a liaison between design and construction disciplines, translating technical requirements and fostering a collaborative "big room" environment.

• Manage the flow of information between clients, design consultants, and construction teams to ensure alignment and proactive problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a critical bridge between the conceptual design phase and the practical execution of construction. The Design Manager is responsible for ensuring that the architectural and engineering vision is translated into a constructible, cost-effective, and high-quality project that meets client objectives. The emphasis is on proactive management, communication, and problem-solving throughout the entire project lifecycle.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide experienced leadership for comprehensive design services on design and construction contracts.

• Ensure design is fully integrated into the overall execution of design excellence projects by partnering with designated project and discipline leads.

• Guide all design decisions from project inception through completion to maintain program requirements, schedule, budget, quality commitments, and customer satisfaction.

• Facilitate team coordination, constructability reviews, and design quality reviews among all stakeholders.

• Act as a liaison and translator between the languages of design and construction to ensure clear understanding and efficient collaboration.

• Manage the design process, including design documentation, inter-disciplinary coordination, zoning, permitting, sustainability measures, and adherence to building codes.

• Support proposal development by contributing written narratives, visual imagery, and graphics, and guiding the "winning" strategy during project pursuits.

• Review Architectural/Engineering (A/E) scope, contract terms, and lead design fee discussions.

• Champion innovation and the optimal project solution for the customer within program, quality, budget, schedule, and sustainability constraints.

• Assist project teams in maintaining design alignment with the owner's approved budget and schedule through routine reviews.

• Lead meetings and monitor the Design Decisions Log to track actions and ensure timely resolution of design-related issues.

• Help project teams address design-related issues during construction and ensure the design team fulfills its construction phase and close-out commitments.

• Support the Design Management initiative by building resource tools and identifying opportunities for process improvement.

• Facilitate a healthy integrated team structure and workflow, fostering an environment of idea sharing, fairness, inclusion, diversity of thought, and professionalism.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: technical design oversight and strong interpersonal/project management skills. The role requires a proactive approach to managing risk, ensuring compliance, and driving efficiency from the earliest design stages through project completion. The emphasis on "customer delight" and "winning strategy" indicates a client-centric and business development aspect to the role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• College Degree required.

• Preferred majors include Architecture, Interior Design, Architectural Engineering, or similar design disciplines.

• An Architectural License (RA), or other applicable design licensure (e.g., CID, PE), is strongly preferred.

• Additional consideration for DBIA (Design-Build Institute of America) certification. Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of post-college experience in Design, Construction, and/or Program/Project Management.

• A graduate architect with a 5-year degree and a minimum of 3 years of experience working for design firms may be considered.

• Experience with an Architectural/Interiors Design Firm, Design-Builder, and/or General Contractor is strongly recommended.

• Preference for exposure to both design and construction phases outside of college education.

• Proven experience in taking a project from Programming through Construction Administration.

• Demonstrated experience collaborating with Clients, Design Consultants, Builders, and Subcontractors.

• Experience in Project Management, Conceptual Estimating/Cost Management, and Design Phase Scheduling. Required Skills:

• Design Process Management: Comprehensive working knowledge of the design process, including design documentation, inter-disciplinary design coordination, zoning, permitting, sustainability measures, and building codes.

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple project tasks and projects with strong detail orientation. Experience with programming through construction administration.

• Collaboration & Communication: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with clients, consultants, builders, and subcontractors. Strong communication skills to act as a liaison between design and construction teams.

• Problem-Solving: Self-starter mentality with a strong aptitude for problem-solving and critical thinking.

• Software Proficiency:

  • Autodesk Suite: AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, and other BIM software.

  • Office365 Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint.

  • Collaboration Tools: Bluebeam, ProCore, Primavera P6, Touchplan, JOIN. Preferred Skills:

• Cost Management & Estimating: Experience in conceptual estimating and cost management.

• Scheduling: Expertise in design phase scheduling.

• Contract Management: Understanding of A/E scope, contract terms, and fee discussions.

• Advanced Project Delivery: Familiarity with advanced/alternative project delivery methods (e.g., Design-Build).

• Professional Certifications: DBIA certification.

• Team Leadership: Ability to facilitate integrated team structures and foster a positive, collaborative environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of technical design knowledge and practical construction experience. The preference for candidates with exposure to both design and construction outside of college is a key differentiator. Proficiency in BIM and collaborative project management software is critical.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Integration Case Studies: Showcase projects where you successfully integrated design into the overall project execution, demonstrating your ability to manage design decisions from inception through completion.

• Collaboration Examples: Provide examples of successful collaboration with clients, design consultants, builders, and subcontractors, highlighting your role in facilitating communication and problem-solving.

• Cost & Schedule Management Demonstrations: Present instances where you managed design phase scheduling and contributed to conceptual estimating or cost management, ensuring alignment with project budgets and timelines.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Detail complex design or construction challenges you encountered and how you effectively resolved them, showcasing your analytical and decision-making skills.

• Software Application Proof: Include examples of your work using key software like Revit, Navisworks, ProCore, or Bluebeam, demonstrating your technical proficiency in managing design documentation and coordination.

Process Documentation:

• Design Process Workflows: Document your approach to managing the end-to-end design process, including design documentation, inter-disciplinary coordination, zoning, permitting, and sustainability measures.

• Constructability Review Methodology: Outline your process for conducting and facilitating constructability reviews, ensuring practical feasibility and efficiency in design solutions.

• Information Flow Management: Illustrate how you manage the flow of information between clients, design teams, and construction teams, ensuring clear communication and timely updates.

• Design Decision Tracking: Demonstrate your method for tracking and managing design decisions, including the use of tools like a Design Decisions Log.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not just list projects but clearly articulate the candidate's role, responsibilities, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and quantifiable outcomes related to design integration, cost, schedule, and quality. The emphasis on process documentation reflects the need for structured and repeatable methods in managing complex design initiatives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $90,000 - $130,000 annually.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Design Managers with 5-10 years of experience in the construction and engineering sector in the Plano, Texas area. Factors considered include the company's reputation as a large contracting firm, the specialized nature of the role requiring a blend of design and construction expertise, and the typical compensation for similar positions in a major metropolitan area like Dallas-Fort Worth. Local market data from reputable salary aggregators and professional networking platforms were consulted.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) plan with potential company match, supporting long-term financial planning.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay to promote work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued education, training, and support for maintaining professional licenses and certifications (e.g., RA, CID, PE, DBIA).

• Life and Disability Insurance: Company-provided life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage.

• Performance Bonuses: Potential for performance-based bonuses tied to project success and company profitability.

• Travel Support: Reimbursement for business-related travel as required by project needs.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are approximately 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility may be required to meet project demands, including occasional extended hours or site visits during critical project phases.

• Travel is expected during pursuit, design, and construction phases, though typically not for extended periods, unless project requirements dictate otherwise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation and can vary based on specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation. The benefits package is typical for a large, established contracting firm and aims to support employee well-being and professional growth. The mention of travel and potential extended hours is important for candidates to consider.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Construction and Contracting. The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company is a leader in the construction industry, known for its commitment to quality, safety, and innovative project delivery methods.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (typically 5,000+ employees across numerous offices). This size indicates a robust organizational structure, significant project volume, and established processes. For operations professionals, this means opportunities for structured career growth, access to extensive resources, and exposure to large-scale, complex projects.

Founded: 1971. With over 50 years of history, Whiting-Turner has a long-standing reputation and deep experience in the market. This longevity suggests stability, a proven track record, and a well-established corporate culture.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: The Design Management Group is a specialized unit within the broader operations of Whiting-Turner, likely comprising experienced professionals with backgrounds in architecture, engineering, and construction management.

• Reporting Structure: Design Managers typically report to senior management within the Design Management Group or to Project Executives overseeing specific large-scale projects. They, in turn, lead and coordinate with project-specific design consultants and internal project teams.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: This role is inherently cross-functional, requiring close collaboration with clients, A/E firms, subcontractors, internal project management teams, estimating departments, scheduling teams, and legal/procurement departments. The "big room" concept suggests a highly integrated and collaborative approach.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: While the role is creative and collaborative, decisions regarding design choices, budget allocations, and schedule adherence are expected to be informed by data, project requirements, and best practices.

• Integrated Project Delivery: The company appears to favor integrated approaches where design and construction teams work collaboratively from the outset, reducing risks and optimizing outcomes.

• Client-Centric Approach: A strong emphasis is placed on understanding and meeting customer needs ("customer delight"), ensuring the final project aligns with their vision and objectives.