Design Manager - Water

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager - Water

Company: Wharton-Smith

Location: Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Construction Management / Preconstruction Operations

Date Posted: June 01, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in the pursuit and preconstruction phases of municipal water and wastewater projects, focusing on strategic planning, design coordination, and risk analysis.

• It involves extensive collaboration with owners, engineers, estimating teams, and operations to ensure seamless project delivery from concept to construction commencement.

• The Design Manager will lead the development of critical project documentation, including GMP budgets and constructability reviews, driving value engineering and innovation.

• This position requires a strong understanding of collaborative delivery models such as CMAR and Progressive Design-Build, emphasizing early contractor involvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Design Manager - Water" and the description clearly indicate a focus on the preconstruction and early project development lifecycle, specifically within the water and wastewater sector. The role bridges the gap between design, estimating, and operations, making it a key function within GTM (Go-To-Market) and operational readiness for large-scale infrastructure projects. The mention of "municipal owner and engineer relationships" highlights a critical stakeholder management component.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead proposal development efforts for RFQs and RFPs, contributing to strategic win themes and technical approaches.

• Drive client interviews and presentations, effectively articulating Wharton-Smith's capabilities and project execution strategies.

• Cultivate and maintain robust relationships with municipal owners and engineering firms to foster trust and collaboration.

• Facilitate seamless coordination between design/engineering teams and estimating departments throughout the design evolution.

• Conduct thorough reviews of drawings, geotechnical reports, and specifications to identify constructability challenges and provide actionable feedback.

• Proactively identify and assess project risks during the preconstruction phase, developing mitigation strategies to minimize potential impacts.

• Develop and present structured, impactful constructability comments that enhance project efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

• Solicit, coordinate, and integrate subcontractor and supplier input into the preconstruction process.

• Lead the development and refinement of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) budgets and comprehensive bid packages.

• Maintain and update preconstruction schedules using P6, aligning them with operational timelines for effective construction planning.

• Orchestrate and lead milestone and stakeholder coordination meetings, ensuring clear communication and alignment on project objectives.

• Monitor and track preconstruction financials, managing both internal and external cost elements.

• Champion innovation and value engineering initiatives to optimize project costs and achieve client objectives without compromising scope.

• Ensure strict adherence to and understanding of all municipal funding and compliance requirements.

• Partner closely with operations teams to guarantee a smooth and efficient handover from preconstruction to the construction phase.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are highly specific to the preconstruction phase of large infrastructure projects, particularly in the water/wastewater sector. The emphasis on client relationships, constructability reviews, GMP development, and P6 scheduling points to a strategic, operations-aligned role that requires deep technical and project management expertise. The transition from daily project execution to a preconstruction focus is explicitly mentioned, indicating a shift towards strategic planning and business development support.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field is mandatory.

• Equivalent combinations of formal education and extensive, relevant work experience will be considered.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in municipal Water/Wastewater construction or design is required.

• Proven track record as a Project Manager overseeing municipal Water/Wastewater projects from inception to completion.

• Demonstrated experience in developing or significantly supporting the development of GMP pricing structures.

Required Skills:

• Comprehensive understanding of municipal Water/Wastewater construction practices and methodologies.

• Expertise in collaborative delivery models such as Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) and Progressive Design-Build.

• Strong ability to accurately identify scope gaps, potential cost exposures, and project risks.

• Proficiency in scheduling software, with a strong preference for Primavera P6 (P6).

• Experience with cost management systems and tools for financial tracking and reporting.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly to diverse stakeholders.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities to address challenges during the design and preconstruction phases.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with other collaborative delivery methods beyond CMAR and Progressive Design-Build.

• Familiarity with contract negotiation and development for large-scale infrastructure projects.

• Advanced proficiency in estimating software and techniques.

• Knowledge of regulatory compliance specific to municipal water and wastewater projects.

• Experience in public sector procurement processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a deep understanding of the water and wastewater sector, coupled with strong project management and preconstruction skills. The preference for P6 scheduling and experience with collaborative delivery models like CMAR and Progressive Design-Build are critical for success in this role, aligning with modern GTM strategies for infrastructure development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Case Studies: Detailed examples of past municipal water/wastewater projects managed, highlighting the scope, challenges, and successful outcomes. Emphasis should be placed on projects where early involvement in design and preconstruction was critical.

• Constructability Review Examples: Documentation showcasing your ability to provide structured, actionable constructability comments that led to tangible improvements in design efficiency, cost savings, or risk reduction.

• GMP Development Contributions: Evidence of involvement in developing GMPs, demonstrating understanding of cost estimation, risk allocation, and subcontractor buy-in strategies.

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Examples illustrating effective collaboration with owners, engineers, and internal teams, showcasing your ability to build strong relationships and manage diverse stakeholder interests.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase your experience in designing or optimizing preconstruction workflows, from initial pursuit to the final GMP establishment. This includes outlining how you've improved efficiency, clarity, and collaboration in these processes.

• Implementation & Automation: Provide examples of how you've implemented or leveraged technology and processes to automate aspects of preconstruction, such as bid management, document control, or risk assessment.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Demonstrate your ability to define key performance indicators (KPIs) for preconstruction activities and how you've used data to measure success, identify areas for improvement, and report on performance to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on preconstruction and design management, a portfolio demonstrating hands-on experience with project lifecycle management, particularly in the early stages, is essential. Candidates should highlight their ability to translate design concepts into executable construction plans and budgets, showcasing their analytical, collaborative, and process-improvement skills.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Offering robust coverage for employees and their families.

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

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay to ensure work-life balance.

• Professional Development Opportunities: Support for continued learning, certifications, and training relevant to construction management and engineering.

• Hybrid Work Arrangement: Flexibility to balance on-site and remote work, promoting efficiency and well-being.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Providing financial security for employees and their dependents.

• Performance-Based Bonuses: Potential for bonuses tied to individual