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: May 08, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a critical component of the preconstruction operations, focusing on the strategic planning and execution of municipal water and wastewater projects.

• It involves leading the design coordination, risk analysis, and stakeholder engagement to ensure successful project pursuits and GMP development.

• The position requires a transition from traditional project execution to a more strategic, collaborative delivery focus within the preconstruction phase.

• This role is integral to bridging the gap between design, estimating, and operations teams, ensuring seamless project handoffs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Design Manager - Water" title, coupled with the focus on municipal water/wastewater projects and the hybrid work arrangement, strongly indicates a role within the preconstruction or business development arm of a large construction firm. The emphasis on "pursuit through GMP development" and "early project strategy" solidifies this as a preconstruction operations role, distinct from on-site construction management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the development and submission of proposals, RFQs, and RFPs for municipal water and wastewater projects, ensuring alignment with company capabilities and client requirements.

• Drive client interaction and presentations, fostering strong relationships with municipal owners, engineers, and other key stakeholders throughout the pursuit phase.

• Facilitate seamless coordination between design consultants, estimating teams, and operations personnel to ensure constructability, cost-effectiveness, and adherence to project objectives.

• Conduct thorough constructability reviews of drawings, geotechnical reports, and specifications, providing structured and actionable feedback to mitigate risks and optimize design.

• Proactively identify, analyze, and develop mitigation strategies for project risks during the preconstruction phase, ensuring comprehensive risk management.

• Solicit, coordinate, and manage the participation of subcontractors and suppliers, integrating their expertise into the preconstruction process.

• Develop and coordinate Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) budgets and comprehensive bid packages, ensuring accuracy and competitive positioning.

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

• Lead milestone and stakeholder coordination meetings, ensuring clear communication, alignment, and timely decision-making.

• Track and manage preconstruction financials, including internal labor costs, consultant fees, and other external expenses, to maintain budget control.

• Drive innovation and implement value engineering solutions to enhance project cost-effectiveness, maintain project objectives, and deliver superior client value.

• Ensure a deep understanding and strict compliance with all municipal funding and regulatory requirements for public works projects.

• Partner closely with operations teams to facilitate a smooth and efficient transition from preconstruction to the construction phase, ensuring continuity and shared project understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a proactive, strategic role focused on securing and planning projects before construction begins. The emphasis on client relationships, proposal development, GMP creation, and risk mitigation are core functions of preconstruction operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

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

Experience:

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

• Proven prior experience serving as a Project Manager on complex municipal Water/Wastewater projects is a prerequisite.

• Demonstrated experience in developing or significantly supporting Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) pricing is required.

Required Skills:

• Water/Wastewater Expertise: In-depth understanding of municipal water and wastewater infrastructure construction practices, technologies, and regulatory environments.

• Collaborative Delivery Models: Proficiency in or strong understanding of CMAR (Construction Manager at Risk), Progressive Design-Build, and other integrated project delivery methods.

• Preconstruction Strategy: Ability to develop and execute strategic plans for project pursuits, including proposal development, client engagement, and risk assessment.

• Constructability Analysis: Skill in reviewing and interpreting design documents (drawings, specifications, reports) to identify constructability issues and provide actionable solutions.

• Cost Management & Estimating: Experience in developing or supporting GMP budgets, understanding cost drivers, and identifying scope gaps or potential cost exposures.

• Risk Management: Proven ability to identify, analyze, and propose mitigation strategies for project risks during the preconstruction phase.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, engineers, subcontractors, and internal teams.

• Scheduling Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate preconstruction schedules, with a preference for proficiency in Primavera P6.

• Value Engineering: Capability to identify and propose innovative solutions and value engineering opportunities to optimize project cost and performance.

• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, essential for client presentations, proposal writing, and internal coordination.

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced Scheduling: Expertise in Primavera P6 for complex schedule development and management.

• Contract Negotiation: Familiarity with contract terms and negotiation strategies relevant to collaborative delivery models.

• Financial Acumen: Deeper understanding of financial tracking, forecasting, and reporting for preconstruction activities.

• Public Sector Procurement: Experience navigating public sector procurement processes and understanding municipal funding requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of technical expertise in water/wastewater construction and strategic preconstruction skills. The explicit mention of CMAR and Progressive Design-Build highlights the company's focus on collaborative delivery. Proficiency in P6 is a critical technical skill for this role within construction operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Pursuit Success: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 significant municipal water/wastewater projects where you played a key role in the pursuit and preconstruction phase, detailing your specific contributions to winning the work.

• Constructability Review Examples: Provide documented examples of constructability reviews you have led, highlighting how your comments identified potential issues and led to design improvements or cost savings.

• GMP Development Contributions: Detail your involvement in developing GMPs, including the scope of your responsibilities, the complexity of the projects, and the methodologies used for cost estimation and risk assessment.

• Collaborative Delivery Case Studies: Present case studies demonstrating your experience with CMAR, Progressive Design-Build, or similar collaborative delivery models, focusing on your role in fostering collaboration and achieving project objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss how you design and optimize preconstruction workflows, particularly in the context of integrating design, estimating, and operations inputs.

• Risk Mitigation Documentation: Provide examples of how you document and track project risks identified during preconstruction and the strategies implemented for mitigation.

• Stakeholder Communication Protocols: Outline your approach to documenting and managing communication with diverse stakeholders (clients, engineers, subcontractors, internal teams) throughout the preconstruction lifecycle.

• Financial Tracking & Reporting: Demonstrate experience in documenting and reporting on preconstruction financial metrics, including internal and external costs, and how these inform GMP development.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on preconstruction operations and strategic project acquisition, a portfolio demonstrating tangible results in winning work, managing risk, and developing accurate pricing is crucial. The emphasis on collaborative delivery models suggests a need to showcase experience in these specific project types.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

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

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

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

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

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued education, training, certifications, and conference attendance relevant to construction management and water/wastewater engineering.

• Hybrid Work Flexibility: Ability to work remotely for a portion of the week, offering a balance between in-office collaboration and focused work.

• Travel Reimbursement: Coverage for business-related travel expenses, including mileage or airfare, for project-related activities.

Working Hours:

• The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, typically 40 hours per week.

• This is an exempt position, meaning hours may extend beyond the standard schedule as needed to meet project deadlines, proposal submission dates, or critical client meetings.

• Flexibility is expected, with the potential for occasional evening or extended hours. The hybrid nature allows for a blend of in-office and remote work, managed in coordination with project needs and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is derived from current market data for similar roles in the Jacksonville, FL region, considering the experience level and specialized industry focus. Benefits are typical for a full-time, exempt position in the construction industry, with a specific mention of the hybrid work arrangement as a key benefit.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Construction (Heavy Civil / Water & Wastewater)

Company Size: Wharton-Smith is a large, established construction firm, likely employing over 1,000 individuals based on typical industry players of this scale. This size indicates robust infrastructure, established processes, and opportunities for diverse project involvement.

Founded: Wharton-Smith was founded in 1987, providing over three decades of experience and a solid reputation in the construction industry, particularly in Florida.

Team Structure:

• Preconstruction Focus: The role operates within a dedicated preconstruction or business development team, likely comprising estimators, schedulers, proposal coordinators, and other specialized roles.

• Reporting: The Design Manager will report to a senior leader within the preconstruction department, such as a Vice President of Preconstruction or Director of Business Development.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: This role is a linchpin for collaboration, working extensively with estimating, operations (project managers, superintendents), procurement, legal, and executive leadership, as well as external clients and design consultants.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Pursuit: Decisions regarding project pursuits are informed by market analysis, client relationship strength, risk assessment, and robust cost estimating.

• Collaborative Delivery: The company emphasizes collaborative delivery models (CMAR, Design-Build), requiring a proactive, integrated approach to project planning and execution.

• Process Optimization: Continuous improvement of preconstruction processes, from initial lead identification to GMP finalization, is key to maintaining competitiveness and efficiency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Wharton-Smith's established presence and focus on heavy civil and water/wastewater projects suggest a culture that values expertise, reliability, and long-term relationships. The "Design Manager" role within this context is clearly tied to strategic growth and project acquisition.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the preconstruction operations department. It signifies a move from direct project execution management to a strategic leadership role focused on securing and defining project scope and budget before construction begins. It requires a deep understanding of construction processes, risk, and client relations.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will likely report to a Director or Vice President of Preconstruction, providing direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making within the company's growth initiatives.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on Wharton-Smith's revenue and profitability. By successfully leading pursuits, developing accurate GMPs, and mitigating risks early, the Design Manager directly contributes to securing profitable projects and setting them up for successful execution by the operations team.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance into senior preconstruction leadership roles, such as Director of Preconstruction, VP of Business Development, or even executive leadership positions.

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in specific types of municipal infrastructure projects or advanced collaborative delivery methods.

• Mentorship: The role provides opportunities to mentor junior estimators, project engineers, and project managers transitioning into preconstruction.

• Strategic Influence: Involvement in shaping the company's pursuit strategies, market focus, and client relationship management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The progression from Project Manager to Design Manager in this context is a strategic career move into a vital preconstruction operations function, offering leadership growth and significant business impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, meaning it combines work from a physical office location with remote work. The office environment is likely professional and collaborative, supporting the needs of a busy preconstruction team.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is in the Jacksonville, Florida area. This location will serve as the hub for in-office workdays, team meetings, and client interactions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office will likely feature meeting rooms equipped for presentations, design reviews, and team strategy sessions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary software and hardware for project management, scheduling (P6), cost estimating, and communication will be provided.

• Team Interaction: In-office days will facilitate direct collaboration with estimators, senior preconstruction staff, and potentially operations leaders for seamless project handoffs and strategy alignment.

Work Schedule: The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, with flexibility required to meet project deadlines. The hybrid arrangement allows for a balance, but successful candidates must be adept at managing their time effectively across both remote and in-office settings to ensure all project coordination and client engagement needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect of the work environment, offering flexibility while emphasizing the need for structured collaboration and client engagement, typical for modern construction operations roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A preliminary HR or hiring manager call to assess basic qualifications, experience alignment, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview (Preconstruction Focus): In-depth discussion with preconstruction leadership (estimating, senior design managers) focusing on your experience with municipal water/wastewater projects, collaborative delivery models (CMAR, Design-Build), GMP development, risk analysis, and your approach to constructability reviews. Be prepared to discuss specific project examples.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present key projects from your portfolio, demonstrating your contributions to winning bids, developing accurate pricing, managing risks, and fostering collaboration. Focus on quantifiable achievements.

• Operations Collaboration Discussion: An interview with operations leadership (e.g., VP of Operations, Senior Project Managers) to assess your understanding of construction execution, your ability to partner with operations teams for seamless project handoffs, and your communication style.

• Final Interview: Meeting with senior executives (e.g., Division President, COO) to discuss strategic alignment, leadership potential, and final fit within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Achievements: For each project highlighted, provide specific metrics. For example, "Secured $50M in new work through competitive bidding," or "Identified $1M in cost savings through value engineering and constructability reviews."

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your role in the preconstruction process, from initial pursuit to GMP finalization. Use diagrams or flowcharts if helpful to illustrate complex workflows.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize instances where you successfully collaborated with diverse teams (designers, estimators, subcontractors, owners) to achieve project goals.

• Focus on Water/Wastewater: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your experience in municipal water and wastewater projects, showcasing your technical understanding and relevant project types (treatment plants, distribution systems, etc.).

• Demonstrate Risk Management: Include examples of how you identified significant risks and implemented effective mitigation strategies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study: You may be asked to analyze a hypothetical project scenario, identify potential constructability issues, propose value engineering solutions, and outline a strategy for developing a GMP.

• Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss how you would handle common preconstruction challenges, such as scope creep, significant design changes, or difficult stakeholder negotiations.

• Strategic Thinking: Prepare to articulate your understanding of Wharton-Smith's market position, key competitors, and how you would contribute to their strategic growth in the water/wastewater sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to thoroughly evaluate a candidate's preconstruction expertise, collaborative capabilities, and strategic fit. A well-prepared portfolio is essential for demonstrating practical experience and quantifiable results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Primavera P6: Essential for developing and managing complex preconstruction and construction schedules. Proficiency is highly preferred.

• Cost Estimating Software: Experience with industry-standard estimating platforms (e.g., HCSS, PCL, Timberline) is likely required for GMP development.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with platforms like Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, or similar systems for document management, collaboration, and project tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Excel: Advanced proficiency for data analysis, financial modeling, and custom reporting is a must.

• Business Intelligence Tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau): While not explicitly stated, familiarity can be a plus for analyzing project data and trends.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics): Experience in using CRM to track client interactions, manage leads, and support business development efforts.

• Document Management Systems: Proficiency in organized document storage and retrieval for proposals, contracts, and project documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in scheduling software like P6 and cost management systems is critical for this role. Familiarity with project management platforms and CRM systems will enhance a candidate's effectiveness.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in all dealings with clients, partners, and internal teams, particularly in proposal development and GMP creation.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team-oriented environment where open communication and shared problem-solving are encouraged across design, estimating, and operations.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative solutions and value engineering to deliver optimal project outcomes for clients.

• Client Focus: Dedication to understanding and meeting the specific needs of municipal clients, building long-term partnerships based on trust and performance.

• Excellence: Striving for high-quality work in all aspects of preconstruction, from initial pursuit to detailed planning and budgeting.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Partnership: Working closely with operations teams from the outset of a project to ensure a seamless transition from preconstruction to construction, sharing insights and anticipating operational needs.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Regularly engaging with estimators, schedulers, and other preconstruction specialists to ensure all aspects of project planning are integrated and aligned.

• Constructive Feedback Loop: Encouraging a culture where constructive feedback is welcomed and utilized to refine design, improve cost estimates, and enhance project delivery strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely emphasizes a strong commitment to client relationships, ethical practices, and collaborative problem-solving, essential for success in the municipal construction sector.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Accuracy: The pressure to deliver competitive proposals and GMPs quickly while ensuring accuracy in scope, cost, and schedule.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Navigating diverse needs and expectations from municipal clients, engineers, and internal operations teams.

• Early-Stage Design Ambiguity: Working with incomplete or evolving designs during early project phases, requiring strong analytical skills to define scope and estimate costs effectively.

• Competitive Market: Operating in a highly competitive landscape for municipal construction projects, requiring strategic differentiation and strong client relationships.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Delivery Methods: Deepening expertise in CMAR, Progressive Design-Build, and other collaborative project delivery methods through training and on-the-job application.

• Technical Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to gain advanced proficiency in scheduling software, cost management systems, and project management technologies.

• Leadership Training: Development programs focused on strategic planning, negotiation, client relationship management, and team leadership.

• Industry Conferences & Networking: Participation in industry events related to water infrastructure, construction management, and public sector projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex preconstruction challenges and continually developing expertise in advanced delivery models and strategic project acquisition.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to leading a project pursuit from initial RFQ/RFP to GMP finalization for a municipal wastewater treatment plant upgrade."

• "How do you ensure constructability is thoroughly addressed during the design phase, especially when working with evolving designs?"

• "Walk me through a time you identified a significant project risk during preconstruction and the steps you took to mitigate it."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Wharton-Smith's work in the municipal water/wastewater sector, and how does your experience align with our capabilities?"

• "How do you prioritize your workload when managing multiple project pursuits simultaneously?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the challenge, your role and actions, and the quantifiable results (e.g., project won, cost savings, risk mitigation).

• Visual Aids: Use concise slides with project photos, key metrics, and process diagrams where appropriate. Avoid dense text.

• Focus on Value: Emphasize how your contributions directly led to business wins, cost efficiencies, risk reduction, or improved project outcomes.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your specific contributions, decision-making processes, and technical approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strategic understanding of preconstruction operations, hands-on experience with collaborative delivery, and a strong ability to articulate value through quantifiable results.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager - Water position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Wharton-Smith careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 7+ years of experience specifically in municipal water/wastewater construction, emphasizing your roles in project management, preconstruction, GMP development, and collaborative delivery methods (CMAR, Design-Build). Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 key projects that best showcase your experience in municipal water/wastewater, your contributions to winning bids, your risk management strategies, and your constructability review successes. Be ready to present these with quantifiable results.

• Research Wharton-Smith: Familiarize yourself with their recent projects, their company values, and their approach to collaborative delivery. Understand their market position in the Florida region.

• Practice Your Responses: Prepare to answer strategic questions about preconstruction processes, risk management, and client engagement, using specific examples from your experience. Practice articulating your value proposition clearly and concisely.

⚠️ 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.

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