Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: The Greenridge Group

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Project & Construction Management Operations

Date Posted: January 10, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversee the end-to-end design process for critical school upgrade and repair projects, ensuring strict adherence to District standards, budgets, and all regulatory mandates.

• Act as the primary point of contact and liaison with the Division of the State Architect (DSA), navigating complex compliance and approval pathways.

• Manage a portfolio of multiple concurrent projects, coordinating effectively with architects, consultants, and internal District teams from conceptualization through final design sign-off.

• Drive the selection and recommendation of architectural firms from a pre-qualified vendor pool, ensuring optimal fit for project scope, complexity, and specific needs.

• Implement and manage a robust design review process designed to maximize project value, long-term functionality, and cost-effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Project & Construction Management Operations, focusing on the strategic oversight of the design phase for public sector educational facilities. The emphasis on DSA liaison and compliance indicates a need for deep understanding of California's stringent building codes and approval processes for public schools. The "Design Manager" title, combined with the "10+ years" experience and "Bachelor's degree in Architecture or Engineering," firmly places this in a senior, strategic operational role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Leadership & Oversight: Lead and manage all design activities for school upgrade and critical repair projects, ensuring alignment with functional programs, environmental standards, and legal requirements.

• Regulatory Liaison: Serve as the primary design liaison with the Division of the State Architect (DSA), managing submittals, reviews, and approvals to ensure compliance.

• Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinate with architects, consultants, internal District departments (Environmental Health & Safety, Maintenance & Operations, A/E Design Services), and Local Districts to ensure cohesive project execution.

• Firm Selection & Management: Select and recommend architectural firms from a pre-qualified pool, providing clear direction on scope, schedule, budget, standards, and project goals.

• Budget & Scope Control: Review design changes to ensure projects remain within approved budgets and scope, while maintaining design integrity and functionality.

• Process Optimization: Establish and manage an efficient design review process that maximizes value and long-term functionality for educational facilities.

• Documentation & Decision Making: Ensure timely decision-making and thorough documentation throughout the entire design lifecycle.

• Community Engagement: Participate in community outreach efforts related to school building projects, communicating design plans and addressing stakeholder concerns.

• Professional Development: Support ongoing professional development for the design team through relevant seminars and workshops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical design oversight, rigorous regulatory navigation (specifically DSA), and strong stakeholder management, all within the context of public sector capital projects. The emphasis on "process optimization" and "efficient design review" points to a need for strategic operational thinking beyond just design execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of full-time professional experience managing facilities design or capital project planning and coordination.

• Experience must include overall design management, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling.

Required Skills:

• Design Management: Proven ability to lead and direct complex design processes for large-scale capital improvement projects.

• Regulatory Compliance (DSA): In-depth knowledge and practical experience navigating the Division of the State Architect (DSA) approval process for California public schools.

• Project Coordination: Expertise in coordinating multiple project teams, including architects, engineers, consultants, and internal stakeholders, to achieve project objectives.

• Budget Management: Strong financial acumen to oversee design budgets, review cost estimates, and manage design changes within financial constraints.

• Contract Administration: Experience in managing and administering design contracts, ensuring adherence to terms and conditions.

• Cost Estimating: Proficiency in reviewing and validating cost estimates throughout the design phases.

• Scheduling: Ability to develop, manage, and monitor project schedules, ensuring timely progression of design milestones.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with internal teams, external consultants, and community members.

• Decision Making: Demonstrated ability to make timely and informed decisions that impact project scope, budget, and schedule.

• Documentation: Meticulous attention to detail in maintaining comprehensive project documentation.

Preferred Skills:

• California Licensed Architect or Professional Engineer: Holding a professional license in California is highly advantageous for this role.

• Experience with LAUSD Standards: Familiarity with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) standards, guidelines, and educational facility requirements.

• Environmental Standards: Understanding of environmental regulations and sustainable design practices relevant to public facilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" are tailored to the core demands of managing design in a public sector, educational context. The emphasis on DSA compliance and LAUSD standards (if applicable) is critical. The preference for a California-licensed Architect or PE is a key differentiator, indicating a need for deep technical and regulatory expertise.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Process Documentation: Showcase examples of structured design processes managed, including phases from conceptualization, schematic design, design development, to construction documents. Highlight how you ensured adherence to functional programs and educational facility requirements.

• Regulatory Compliance Case Studies: Present case studies demonstrating successful navigation of complex regulatory approvals, specifically mentioning experience with state-level bodies like the Division of the State Architect (DSA) or equivalent. Detail challenges overcome and solutions implemented.

• Project Coordination & Collaboration Frameworks: Illustrate frameworks or methodologies used to coordinate diverse teams (architects, consultants, internal departments) across multiple concurrent projects. Emphasize communication protocols and decision-making matrices.

• Budget Management & Change Order Analysis: Provide examples of how design budgets were managed, including processes for reviewing cost estimates, tracking expenditures, and analyzing the financial impact of design changes.

• Vendor/Consultant Selection Process: Detail your approach to selecting and managing architectural and engineering consultants, from pre-qualification to contract administration, ensuring alignment with project goals.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate experience in designing and optimizing workflows for design review processes, ensuring efficiency, value maximization, and long-term functionality.

• Implementation & Automation Methods: While direct automation might be less prevalent in pure design management, highlight any experience with project management software, digital review platforms, or streamlined documentation systems that enhanced efficiency.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Show how you measured the effectiveness of the design process and outcomes, particularly in relation to budget adherence, schedule performance, and compliance with District standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role, the portfolio should focus on demonstrating strategic oversight of the design process, regulatory navigation, and team coordination. Case studies are paramount, especially those highlighting successful DSA interactions and budget control within public sector projects. The emphasis is on the management and process of design, not necessarily the creative design output itself.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $170,000 - $185,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% employer-paid monthly premiums for employees and 50% coverage for dependents for Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.

• Life Insurance: Company-paid coverage up to $50,000.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Accrues up to 80 hours per year, with increased accrual based on tenure.

• Paid Sick Leave: 10 days of paid sick leave annually.

• Paid Holidays: 9 standard paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and a paid day off for your birthday.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a company match of up to 4% (100% of the first 3%, 50% of the next 2%).

• Professional Development: Assistance with tuition, licenses, and professional certifications.

• Referral Bonus: Industry-leading employee referral program offering $5,000–$10,000 depending on the hire's level.

• Additional Paid Leave: Extra paid leave for jury duty, bereavement, and voting time.

• Client Shutdown Days: Additional paid days off when client offices are closed.

• Provided Equipment: Laptop provided as needed.

• Cell Phone Stipend: $100 monthly stipend for eligible roles.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, likely aligning with a 40-hour work week, with the expectation of on-site presence. Flexibility may be available but is not explicitly detailed beyond standard benefits.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided and is competitive for a senior Design Manager role in a high cost-of-living area like Los Angeles. The benefits package is exceptionally strong, with notable highlights like 100% employer-paid health premiums for employees and a generous referral bonus, indicating a company that invests heavily in its employees. The "On-site" work arrangement is confirmed.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Project and Construction Management Consulting for Public Sector Agencies. The Greenridge Group specializes in serving major public-sector clients, implying a focus on compliance, accountability, and long-term value.

Company Size: The company description does not explicitly state size, but the mention of a "prime contractor" role and the need for a Design Manager suggests a well-established firm with significant project volume. The "workable.com" source domain often lists medium to large organizations.

Founded: Founded in 2006, The Greenridge Group has over 15 years of experience in the industry, indicating a stable and experienced organization.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The role exists within a company that manages large-scale capital improvement projects, likely meaning the Design Manager is part of a larger Project Management or Program Management office.

• Reporting: Likely reports to a Director of Project Management or a similar senior leader overseeing multiple capital projects.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The Design Manager will work closely with internal departments such as Environmental Health & Safety, Maintenance & Operations, A/E Design Services, and Local Districts, as well as external architectural firms and consultants.

Methodology:

• Public Sector Emphasis: Operations and project delivery methods are likely heavily influenced by public sector procurement rules, stringent compliance requirements (especially DSA), and a focus on fiscal responsibility and long-term asset management.

• Process-Oriented: The company's success as a prime contractor suggests a reliance on well-defined processes for project management, design oversight, and stakeholder communication.

• Data-Driven Insights: While not explicitly stated, effective project management in this sector relies on data for budgeting, scheduling, risk assessment, and performance tracking.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on public sector clients, particularly educational facilities, means the operational environment will be highly regulated and process-driven. The Design Manager will be expected to navigate these complexities efficiently. The company's founding date suggests established processes and a solid market presence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior-level operational role, positioned as a Design Manager. It requires extensive experience (10+ years) and specialized knowledge in facilities design management, capital project planning, and public sector regulatory compliance, particularly with the DSA. The scope involves managing multiple high-value projects concurrently.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager likely reports to a senior executive within the Project Management or Program Management division, such as a Director of Project Management or VP of Operations. This position will manage external design consultants and coordinate with various internal departments, but likely does not have direct reports within the company's core staff, unless specified otherwise.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's role is critical to the success of The Greenridge Group's capital projects. Effective design management directly impacts project budgets, schedules, regulatory compliance, and the ultimate functionality and safety of educational facilities. Strong performance in this role ensures client satisfaction, repeat business, and the company's reputation as a reliable prime contractor.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to move into Program Management or Director-level roles overseeing larger portfolios of projects or broader operational areas within the company.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific types of public sector projects or advanced design methodologies.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior project managers or design coordinators, contributing to the development of talent within the organization.

• Strategic Input: Contribute to the refinement of The Greenridge Group's operational processes and best practices for design management.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for experienced professionals to leverage their expertise in a high-impact capacity within the public sector. Growth opportunities are tied to expanding responsibility in project portfolio management and strategic operational contributions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as "On-site" in Los Angeles, California. This suggests a traditional office environment where the Design Manager will collaborate with colleagues, manage administrative tasks, and potentially host meetings.

Office Location(s): Los Angeles, California, United States. This location is a major metropolitan hub with a significant number of public sector projects, particularly in education.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The on-site environment facilitates direct collaboration with internal teams, fostering quick problem-solving and alignment on complex design issues.

• Resource Access: Likely provides access to necessary office resources, including meeting rooms, IT support, and potentially project-specific software and documentation systems.

• Team Interaction: Encourages organic team building and knowledge sharing among operations and project management professionals within The Greenridge Group.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, likely Monday through Friday, with standard business hours (e.g., 8 AM to 5 PM). While not explicitly stated as flexible, the industry and role generally require consistent presence during core working hours to manage active projects and coordinate with various stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement is key. This role demands a physical presence in Los Angeles, emphasizing direct collaboration and engagement within a typical office setting, which is common for senior project management roles in construction and public sector consulting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of resume and qualifications by HR or a hiring manager to assess experience against core requirements, especially the 10+ years and public sector/educational facility experience.

• Technical Interview: In-depth discussion focusing on design management methodologies, DSA compliance, project coordination strategies, budget control, and contract administration. Expect scenario-based questions.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present selected projects from their portfolio, detailing their role, challenges, solutions, and outcomes, with a strong emphasis on design process, regulatory navigation, and budget management.

• Stakeholder/Leadership Interview: Meeting with senior leadership or key stakeholders to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall leadership capabilities.

• Final Offer: Based on successful completion of all interview stages.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight DSA Expertise: Showcase specific examples of projects where you successfully navigated DSA reviews and approvals. Detail the process, challenges, and your role in achieving compliance.

• Demonstrate Budgetary Control: Present case studies where you managed design budgets effectively, including how you reviewed cost estimates, managed design changes, and ensured projects stayed within financial parameters.

• Illustrate Team Coordination: Use examples to show how you managed and coordinated diverse teams of architects, engineers, consultants, and internal departments. Emphasize communication strategies and decision-making processes.

• Focus on Process & Methodology: Clearly articulate your approach to design management, including your review processes, standards adherence, and how you ensure long-term functionality of educational facilities.

• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use data to demonstrate the impact of your work – e.g., "Reduced design review cycles by X%", "Ensured projects stayed within Y% of budget," "Managed a portfolio of Z projects valued at $X million."

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be prepared for questions like: "How would you handle a situation where an architect's design significantly exceeds the budget?" or "Describe your process for resolving a conflict between competing stakeholder requirements during the design phase."

• DSA Process Walkthrough: Be ready to explain the key stages and requirements of the DSA review process for school projects.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarize yourself with common project management software and documentation practices relevant to capital construction projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize practical experience, especially concerning DSA compliance and managing complex public sector projects. A well-prepared, targeted portfolio is crucial for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency with industry-standard project management platforms like Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud (formerly BIM 360), Oracle Aconex, or similar systems used for managing design documents, RFI's, submittals, and communication on large capital projects.

• Design & Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools for reviewing architectural and engineering drawings, such as Bluebeam Revu for markups and collaboration, or integrated BIM (Building Information Modeling) software suites if applicable.

• Cost Estimation Software: Experience with or understanding of cost estimating tools and software used in the construction industry.

• Scheduling Software: Proficiency with scheduling tools like Microsoft Project or Primavera P6 to manage complex project timelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret project data from various sources to inform decision-making, track progress, and identify potential issues. This may involve standard office tools like Excel for detailed analysis.

• Reporting Dashboards: Experience in creating or interpreting project status reports and dashboards that communicate key performance indicators (KPIs) related to design progress, budget, and schedule to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how client relationship management and communication workflows are handled within project management systems is beneficial. Automation may be relevant in terms of streamlining document review and approval processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't list specific software, a Design Manager in this field would be expected to be proficient with common project management, document control, and scheduling tools used in the construction and public sector capital projects industry. Familiarity with Bluebeam Revu is particularly relevant for design review.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity & Accountability: Operating within the public sector demands a high degree of integrity and accountability, especially concerning public funds and safety.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality, functional, and safe educational facilities that meet or exceed standards.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working effectively with diverse internal and external teams to achieve common project goals.

• Efficiency & Optimization: Driving processes that ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget through effective design management and review.

• Compliance & Diligence: A rigorous approach to adhering to all regulatory requirements, particularly those set forth by the DSA.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where the Design Manager acts as a central hub, coordinating efforts between design consultants, internal departments (e.g., Maintenance & Operations, EH&S), and District representatives.

• Process-Oriented Feedback: A culture that values constructive feedback on design processes and outcomes to drive continuous improvement and ensure project success.

• Proactive Communication: Emphasis on clear, consistent, and proactive communication to manage expectations, resolve issues, and keep all stakeholders informed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is likely shaped by its public sector client base, emphasizing reliability, compliance, and a focus on long-term community benefit. Collaboration will be essential, necessitating strong interpersonal and communication skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Regulations: The primary challenge will be consistently meeting and exceeding the stringent requirements of the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and other relevant codes, which can be time-consuming and complex.

• Balancing Competing Priorities: Managing the needs and expectations of various stakeholders (District, community, regulatory bodies, internal teams) while adhering to budget and schedule constraints.

• Managing Multiple Projects: Effectively overseeing the design phase for several large-scale, critical repair and upgrade projects concurrently, each with its own unique complexities.

• Ensuring Long-Term Functionality: Designing for durability, maintainability, and adaptability in educational facilities that will serve students for decades.

• Keeping Pace with Standards: Staying current with evolving educational facility requirements, building codes, and sustainable design practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Regulatory Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of California's building codes and DSA requirements.

• Project Management Best Practices: Exposure to advanced project and construction management methodologies within the public sector context.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into roles with broader program oversight or management responsibilities.

• Industry Seminars & Workshops: Encouragement and potential support for attending design-related seminars and workshops to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to managing large public sector capital projects. Growth opportunities are tied to mastering these challenges and expanding influence within the organization and the industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Management Philosophy: "Describe your approach to managing the design process for large-scale public sector capital projects. What are the critical success factors?" (Prepare to discuss your methodology, key phases, and how you ensure alignment with project goals.)

• DSA Compliance Scenarios: "Walk us through a challenging DSA approval process you managed. What were the hurdles, and how did you overcome them to achieve compliance?" (Be ready to detail specific steps, communication strategies, and problem-solving techniques.)

• Budget & Change Management: "How do you ensure design projects stay within budget? Describe a situation where a significant design change threatened the budget, and how you managed it." (Focus on your processes for cost estimating review, change order analysis, and stakeholder communication.)

• Stakeholder Management: "How do you effectively coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including architects, consultants, internal departments, and the community, to ensure project alignment and buy-in?" (Prepare examples of conflict resolution and consensus-building.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding of Public Sector Projects: "What do you see as the unique challenges and rewards of managing design for public sector educational facilities?" (Show you understand the client's mission and operational context.)

• Team Collaboration: "Describe your ideal working relationship with an architectural firm. How do you foster effective collaboration and accountability?" (Highlight your communication style and partnership approach.)

• Problem-Solving: "Tell us about a complex design problem you encountered and how you approached solving it. What was the outcome?" (Focus on your analytical skills and solution-oriented mindset.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select High-Impact Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your experience in design management, DSA compliance, budget control, and public sector/educational facilities.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define: your specific role and responsibilities, the project's objectives, the key challenges (especially regulatory or budget-related), your strategic approach and solutions, and the quantifiable outcomes.

• Emphasize Process: Detail the design review process you implemented and how it ensured compliance and efficiency.

• Quantify Results: Use metrics to demonstrate success (e.g., budget adherence, schedule performance, successful regulatory approvals).

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your specific contributions, decision-making processes, and technical aspects of the projects presented.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the practical application of design management principles within the strict confines of public sector regulations (DSA) and budget constraints. The portfolio presentation is a critical opportunity to prove this expertise.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to specifically highlight your 10+ years of experience in facilities design management, capital project planning, and your direct experience with public sector or educational facilities. Emphasize any specific experience with the Division of the State Architect (DSA) or similar regulatory bodies.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your accomplishments in contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling. Quantify your achievements wherever possible, especially related to budget adherence and project timelines.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design management philosophy, your approach to regulatory compliance (especially DSA), and your methods for stakeholder coordination and budget control. Prepare to walk through your portfolio with specific examples.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with The Greenridge Group's projects, their focus on public sector clients, and their stated values. Understand the importance of their role as a prime contractor and consultant in shaping public infrastructure.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with The Greenridge Group before making application decisions.