Asset Renewal Design Manager - Airports

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Asset Renewal Design Manager - Airports Company: The Tsui Group Location: Los Angeles, California, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: Operations Management / Project Management (Aviation Infrastructure) Date Posted: October 22, 2025 Experience Level: 10+ Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage the design phase of airport asset renewal projects, focusing on MEP systems, vertical transportation, building enclosures, and passenger boarding bridges.
• Serve as the primary airport/owner representative, ensuring seamless communication and technical liaison between LAWA contracted design teams, design-builders, and subject matter experts.
• Drive consistency and quality in design by overseeing the review and approval of technical documents, managing comment resolution, and ensuring compliance with LAWA DCH requirements.
• Monitor and manage project scope, design progress, permitting processes, and BIM requirements to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Provide critical technical expertise and guidance to support the Asset Renewal team and ensure program consistency across multiple disciplines and adjacent projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is crucial for ensuring the successful execution of airport infrastructure upgrades by managing the critical design and renewal phases. The emphasis on MEP systems and airport-specific assets indicates a specialized niche within project and operations management. The title "Asset Renewal Design Manager" implies a focus on the lifecycle management of physical assets, with a strong emphasis on the design and pre-construction stages.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the comprehensive review and approval process for all technical design documents, ensuring alignment with project objectives and LAWA standards.
• Act as the central technical liaison, facilitating effective communication and collaboration between LAWA, contracted design firms, design-build teams, and subject matter experts.
• Manage the resolution of design comments and technical queries, ensuring that feedback is incorporated efficiently and accurately into project documentation.
• Define, review, and approve design requirements, responsibilities, and program consistency across various asset renewal projects.
• Conduct thorough technical reviews of proposed changes to project scopes of work, assessing impact on timelines, budget, and overall project goals.
• Establish and manage a structured review process at key design milestones, ensuring designs progress in compliance with LAWA Design & Construction Handbook (DCH) requirements and coordinating reviews with LAWA Subject Matter Experts.
• Audit review comments to verify their proper incorporation into final design documents.
• Monitor compliance with architectural and engineering guidelines, ensuring design consistency, quality, and adherence to established standards.
• Proactively manage the permitting process with all Jurisdictions Having Authority (JHA’s), establishing relationships to facilitate timely reviews and approvals.
• Support the Asset Renewal team by ensuring timely and budget-conscious completion of all design reviews.
• Develop and maintain a detailed Asset Renewal Project Scope Tracker to confirm all scope elements are accounted for and integrated into design documents.
• Provide expert guidance on functional requirements as defined in technical specifications and other LAWA-provided project documents.
• Monitor Building Information Modeling (BIM) requirements and ensure compliance with LAWA BIM Standards by designers, contractors, and design-builders.
• Offer technical support and coordination to ensure program consistency across all disciplines and between the Asset Renewal team and other TDIP project teams.
• Provide essential technical support for adjacent LAWA projects to ensure accurate interdependencies and interfaces are managed.
• Prepare and review meeting agendas and supporting materials for critical presentations, including Board meetings, Steering Committee sessions, stakeholder outreach, and other TDIP meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong need for process management, stakeholder coordination, and technical acumen in the aviation infrastructure sector. The emphasis on "LAWA DCH requirements" and "LAWA BIM Standards" points to a need for deep familiarity with specific client protocols.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a closely related technical field is required.
• A Professional Architect (RA) or Professional Engineer (PE) license is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in managing the design of complex building projects, utilities, and infrastructure improvements.
• Specific and extensive experience in the design management of complex aviation improvements is mandatory.
• Proven experience in managing teams of design professionals, architects, and engineers.
• Demonstrated success with projects exceeding $25 million in value.
• Experience with diverse project delivery methods, including Design-Bid-Build and Design/Build, is essential.

Required Skills:

• Design Management: Proven ability to oversee and manage complex design processes for large-scale infrastructure projects.
• MEP Systems Expertise: Deep knowledge of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) system construction and commissioning, ideally gained from a MEP design consultant background.
• Technical Document Review: Proficiency in reviewing and approving technical specifications, drawings, and other design documentation for accuracy and compliance.
• Stakeholder Liaison: Exceptional ability to act as a primary liaison and technical representative, facilitating communication between owners, design teams, contractors, and regulatory bodies.
• Project Coordination: Strong skills in coordinating design efforts across multiple disciplines and ensuring program consistency.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Organizational Skills: Highly detail-oriented and organized, with the capacity to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Problem-Solving: Proactive, results-oriented approach to identifying and resolving design challenges and comment resolution.
• Regulatory Compliance: Understanding of industry practices, regulations, and specific airport authority requirements (e.g., LAWA DCH, BIM Standards).

Preferred Skills:

• BIM Proficiency: Familiarity with BIM requirements and production, ideally with knowledge of LAWA BIM Standards.
• Permitting Management: Experience navigating and managing permitting processes with various Jurisdictions Having Authority (JHA’s).
• Airport Project Experience: Direct experience with asset renewal or capital improvement projects within an airport environment.
• CAD/Revit: Ability to work with or understand CAD or Revit software.
• Project Management Information Systems (PMIS): Familiarity with PMIS for project tracking and reporting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for MEP system construction and commissioning knowledge, particularly from a design consultant perspective, is a significant differentiator for this role. This indicates a need for a candidate who understands the intricate details of building systems from a design and implementation standpoint, not just a project management oversight perspective.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Management Case Studies: Showcase examples of successfully managed design phases for complex building projects, ideally within the aviation sector. Highlight your role in scope definition, design review, and stakeholder coordination.
• MEP System Design Oversight: Present projects where you provided technical review or oversight for MEP systems, demonstrating your understanding of construction, commissioning, and integration.
• Technical Document Review Examples: Include samples or descriptions of your approach to reviewing technical documents, managing comment resolution, and ensuring compliance with specific standards (e.g., LAWA DCH).
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Provide evidence of your ability to coordinate design efforts across multiple disciplines (architectural, structural, MEP, etc.) and ensure program consistency.

Process Documentation:

• Design Review Workflow: Detail a structured process for design reviews at various project milestones, including stakeholder engagement, comment tracking, and resolution mechanisms.
• Scope Management Process: Illustrate your methodology for developing and maintaining a project scope tracker, verifying scope inclusion, and managing scope changes.
• Permitting & JHA Coordination: Outline a process for managing interactions with permitting agencies and ensuring timely progress through the permitting lifecycle.
• BIM Compliance Strategy: Describe your approach to monitoring and enforcing BIM requirements and standards throughout the design and construction phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should strongly lean towards demonstrating expertise in the design management of complex infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on MEP systems and airport-specific assets. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their processes for technical review, comment resolution, and ensuring design compliance with specific client standards like LAWA DCH.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $149,000 - $154,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance with 100% coverage for the employee.
• Income Protection: Life and Disability Insurance.
• Paid Time Off:
  • 10.5 days of Vacation Pay (accrued).
  • 6 days of Sick Pay (available immediately).
  • 10 days of Holiday Pay (comprising 9 standard holidays and 1 personal day).
• Retirement Savings: 3% Employer Contribution to 401k after one year of service.
• Communication Allowance: Monthly stipend for cell phone usage.
• Work Equipment: Laptop provided for business purposes.

Working Hours:

• Standard 40-hour work week is expected, typical for a full-time management position.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and competitive for a senior management role in a high-cost-of-living area like Los Angeles, especially within specialized infrastructure sectors. The benefits package is robust, with significant employer coverage for health insurance and a good allocation of paid time off, reflecting the demands of an on-site management role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The Tsui Group operates within the Engineering, Construction, and Management Consulting sectors, with a stated specialization in Aviation Infrastructure. This industry segment is characterized by large-scale, complex projects, strict regulatory oversight, and a high demand for specialized technical expertise. Company Size: While specific numbers aren't provided, the posting implies a team structure capable of managing significant airport projects, suggesting a medium to large organization with dedicated departments for aviation and infrastructure. Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's focus on specialized areas like airport asset renewal suggests a mature organization with established expertise and a track record in complex project delivery.

Team Structure:

• Aviation Team: This role is part of a dedicated aviation team, implying collaboration with other specialists in airport design, construction, and operations.
• Reporting Structure: The Asset Renewal Design Manager likely reports to a higher-level Director or Vice President within the aviation or infrastructure division. They will manage a team of design professionals and liaise with external design and build teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Essential collaboration will occur with airport owners (LAWA), external architectural and engineering design firms, design-build contractors, subject matter experts, and potentially other internal Tsui Group project management teams.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design Review: The role emphasizes reviewing technical documents and ensuring compliance, suggesting a data-driven approach to quality assurance and risk mitigation.
• Process Optimization: Establishing and managing review processes, scope trackers, and comment resolution systems highlights a focus on optimizing workflow efficiency.
• Collaborative Problem-Solving: The role requires facilitating meetings and serving as a technical liaison, indicating a collaborative approach to resolving complex design and construction challenges.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The Tsui Group's focus on aviation infrastructure suggests a culture that values technical precision, adherence to rigorous standards, and project execution excellence. The role's emphasis on representing the owner (LAWA) implies a strong accountability and client-advocacy mindset.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position represents a senior-level management role within the operations and project management domain, specifically focused on the design and pre-construction phases of large-scale infrastructure. It requires significant technical depth and leadership experience. Reporting Structure: The Asset Renewal Design Manager will likely report to a Director of Aviation Projects or a similar senior leadership position. They will be responsible for leading and coordinating external design consultants and internal support staff, acting as a key interface between the client (LAWA) and the design/construction teams. Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the successful and efficient renewal of critical airport assets. Effective design management ensures that new assets are functional, compliant, cost-effective, and delivered within project timelines, directly contributing to the operational efficiency and longevity of airport infrastructure.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance into Director-level positions overseeing larger programs, multiple projects, or broader infrastructure portfolios within The Tsui Group's aviation division.
• Specialization Deepening: Opportunities to further specialize in complex airport systems, advanced BIM implementation, or specific asset renewal strategies, becoming a recognized subject matter expert.
• Client Relationship Management: Developing strong relationships with key clients like LAWA can lead to opportunities for managing larger, more strategic client accounts and projects.
• Professional Development: Access to industry conferences, training, and potentially support for advanced certifications or licensure maintenance relevant to aviation infrastructure management.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned for individuals who excel in technical leadership and managing complex, high-stakes projects. The growth path clearly leads towards more strategic oversight and client-facing leadership within the specialized aviation infrastructure sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position, indicating a requirement for regular presence at project sites, client offices (likely LAWA facilities), and potentially The Tsui Group's local offices. The environment will likely be a mix of office-based design review and coordination, and site-based project oversight. Office Location(s): The primary work location is Los Angeles, California, United States, specifically within Los Angeles County, likely involving close proximity to LAX or other major airport facilities managed by LAWA.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace involving frequent meetings, collaborative sessions with design teams, and interactions with airport authorities and other stakeholders.
• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard office productivity software (Microsoft Office Suite), specialized design review tools (Bluebeam), and potentially Project Management Information Systems (PMIS) and BIM software (CAD, Revit).
• Team Interaction: Significant interaction with internal project managers, technical specialists, and external consultants and contractors. The role demands strong interpersonal skills to navigate complex stakeholder relationships.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is the baseline, but the nature of large-scale infrastructure projects, especially in aviation, often requires flexibility and a willingness to work beyond standard hours to meet critical deadlines, manage urgent issues, or attend key meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is critical for this role, necessitating regular physical presence at airport facilities and client offices to effectively manage design reviews, site coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and qualifications to assess alignment with the minimum requirements, particularly the 10+ years of aviation design management experience and MEP expertise.
• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions focusing on your experience with MEP systems, design review methodologies, comment resolution strategies, and your understanding of airport infrastructure projects. Expect scenario-based questions related to managing design teams and resolving technical conflicts.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present relevant projects from your portfolio, detailing your role, the challenges faced, your process for managing design, and the outcomes achieved. Focus on demonstrating your technical proficiency and management capabilities.
• Stakeholder/Cultural Fit Interview: Meetings with key members of The Tsui Group's aviation team and potentially client representatives (LAWA) to assess your communication style, collaborative approach, and fit within the company's operational culture.
• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to finalize the assessment of your qualifications, leadership potential, and alignment with the company's strategic objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight MEP Expertise: Clearly showcase projects where your MEP system knowledge was critical to design success. Emphasize your experience with construction and commissioning aspects.
• Demonstrate Design Management Process: For each project, articulate your specific role in managing the design lifecycle, including scope definition, design reviews, stakeholder coordination, and compliance checks.
• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use metrics to illustrate the impact of your work – e.g., successful on-time design completion, budget adherence for design phases, reduction in RFI’s due to thorough reviews, or successful navigation of complex permitting processes.
• Showcase LAWA-Specific Knowledge (if applicable): If you have prior experience with LAWA projects, standards, or procedures, highlight this prominently. Otherwise, articulate how you would quickly learn and adapt to such requirements.
• Prepare for Technical Deep Dives: Be ready to discuss the technical intricacies of airport asset renewals, including MEP systems, vertical transportation, and building enclosures.

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study Presentation: You may be asked to present a case study of a complex design management challenge you resolved, focusing on your problem-solving approach, decision-making process, and the resulting impact.
• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions that test your ability to handle common design management issues, such as scope creep, design conflicts, stakeholder disagreements, or permitting delays. Outline your strategic approach to resolving these.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their specific processes for managing design reviews, resolving technical comments, and ensuring compliance with client-specific standards. A strong demonstration of MEP system knowledge is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Essential for general productivity, reporting, and communication (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Bluebeam: Critical for technical document review, markups, and collaboration on drawings and specifications.
• Project Management Information Systems (PMIS): Familiarity with systems like Procore, e-Builder, or similar platforms used for managing project documentation, schedules, and communication on large construction projects.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Excel: For data analysis, tracking project metrics, scope management, and budget monitoring.
• Reporting Dashboards: Experience with creating or interpreting performance dashboards for project status, design progress, and compliance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Email & Communication Platforms: Efficient use of email and potentially internal communication tools for stakeholder management and coordination.
• Document Management Systems: Familiarity with systems for organizing, storing, and retrieving project documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Bluebeam is explicitly mentioned and is a key tool for this type of design review role. Familiarity with PMIS is also highlighted, indicating the need for experience in digital project management environments.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Technical Excellence: A strong emphasis on deep technical knowledge, particularly in MEP systems and construction, to ensure the quality and longevity of asset renewals.
• Process Rigor: Adherence to structured processes for design review, comment resolution, and compliance monitoring to ensure consistency and mitigate risks.
• Client Advocacy: A commitment to representing the owner's interests (LAWA) effectively, ensuring projects meet their specific needs and standards.
• Collaboration & Communication: Valuing open and effective communication channels among diverse stakeholder groups to foster a cooperative project atmosphere.
• Accountability & Results: A focus on delivering tangible outcomes and meeting project objectives for scope, schedule, and budget within the design phase.

Collaboration Style:

• Facilitative Leadership: The manager is expected to facilitate meetings and discussions, guiding diverse teams towards consensus and problem resolution.
• Cross-Functional Integration: A collaborative approach that bridges the gap between design consultants, construction teams, and owner representatives.
• Proactive Engagement: Encouraging a proactive style where team members identify potential issues early and work collaboratively to find solutions.
• Feedback Culture: A willingness to provide and receive constructive feedback to continuously improve processes and project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes a blend of technical expertise, rigorous process adherence, and strong collaborative problem-solving, essential for managing complex airport infrastructure projects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex Stakeholder Management: Navigating the interests and communication styles of multiple parties, including LAWA, various design firms, and potentially multiple contractors.
• Technical Complexity: Ensuring the design of intricate MEP systems, vertical transportation, and building enclosures meets stringent airport operational and safety requirements.
• Scope Definition & Control: Accurately defining and rigorously controlling the scope of asset renewal projects to prevent costly overruns or omissions.
• Permitting Hurdles: Managing the often lengthy and complex permitting processes with multiple regulatory bodies.
• Pace of Airport Operations: Balancing design and construction activities with the continuous operational demands of a busy airport environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Knowledge: Deepening understanding of airport-specific systems, regulations, and best practices through direct project involvement.
• Design-Build Methodologies: Gaining further expertise in managing projects delivered through Design-Build contracts.
• BIM Implementation: Enhancing skills in BIM coordination and compliance monitoring within a large-scale airport context.
• Client Relationship Building: Developing strong, long-term relationships with major airport authorities like LAWA.
• Leadership Skills: Opportunities to mentor junior staff and take on broader program management responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges stem from the complexity inherent in airport infrastructure projects, requiring a proactive and highly organized approach to management and problem-solving.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Management Approach: Be prepared to discuss your systematic approach to managing the design phase of complex infrastructure projects. How do you ensure design quality, consistency, and compliance with owner requirements like LAWA's DCH?
• MEP System Expertise: Expect detailed questions about your experience with MEP systems in large buildings. Discuss a time you identified a critical design flaw in MEP or managed the commissioning process for such systems.
• Stakeholder Communication: How do you facilitate technical discussions and resolve conflicts between design teams, contractors, and owners? Provide an example of a challenging stakeholder situation you managed.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Respond to hypothetical scenarios such as a significant design conflict arising late in the process, a major scope change request, or delays in permitting. Outline your strategic response.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding of The Tsui Group: Research The Tsui Group's portfolio, recent projects, and stated values. Be prepared to articulate why you are a good fit for their aviation infrastructure focus.
• Client Representation: How do you balance the needs of your client (LAWA) with the capabilities and timelines of design and construction partners?
• Team Collaboration: Describe your ideal team environment and how you foster collaboration among diverse technical and non-technical professionals.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Relevance: Select 2-3 key projects that best showcase your experience in managing complex building design, particularly those involving MEP systems or airport infrastructure.
• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the project scope, your specific role and responsibilities, the design process you managed, key challenges encountered and how you overcame them, and the ultimate outcomes achieved (e.g., on-time delivery, budget adherence, successful commissioning).
• Highlight Technical Contributions: Emphasize your technical contributions, especially concerning MEP systems, and your ability to review and approve technical documents.
• Demonstrate Process Management: Clearly articulate the processes you implemented for design reviews, comment resolution, scope tracking, and compliance monitoring.
• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the success and impact of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be ready to deeply discuss their technical understanding of MEP systems and their practical experience in managing design processes within strict regulatory and operational environments like airports.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workable application link.
• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 10+ years of experience in design management, specifically for complex building projects and aviation infrastructure. Emphasize your expertise in MEP systems construction/commissioning and your experience with various project delivery methods (Design-Bid-Build, Design/Build).
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 distinct projects that best exemplify your skills in managing the design phase, resolving technical issues, coordinating stakeholders, and ensuring compliance. Be ready to discuss your specific contributions and the processes you employed.
• Research The Tsui Group: Familiarize yourself with The Tsui Group's aviation projects, company values, and any publicly available information on their approach to infrastructure development. Understand their role as a representative for clients like LAWA.
• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare to answer questions about your technical expertise in MEP systems, your experience with design review processes, stakeholder management strategies, and how you handle complex project challenges. Practice articulating your portfolio projects concisely and effectively.

⚠️ 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.

---