Design Manager, Caribbean Hotel Development

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager, Caribbean Hotel Development Company: Turner & Townsend Location: Mexico City, Mexico (with significant travel/temporary residency in the Bahamas) Job Type: Full-time Category: Project Management / Design Management (Hospitality Sector) Date Posted: December 29, 2025 Experience Level: 7+ Years (Mid to Senior Level) Remote Status: On-site (with extensive travel requirements)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for overseeing the architectural and interior design lifecycle of high-end hotel development and renovation projects specifically within the Bahamas.
• It involves detailed coordination with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders, including owners, architects, engineers, and contractors, to ensure seamless design execution and adherence to brand standards.
• The position demands a strong focus on quality assurance, sustainability integration, and delivering a superior guest experience, particularly considering the unique environmental challenges of coastal locations.
• This role requires a blend of technical design expertise, robust project management capabilities, and effective leadership to drive project success from concept through to completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary listed location is Mexico City, the job description explicitly states willingness to travel and reside temporarily in the Bahamas. This indicates a hybrid work arrangement with a strong emphasis on on-site presence in the project location (Bahamas) during critical phases, rather than a traditional Mexico City-based role. This is a key distinction for operations and project management professionals to understand.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Strategy & Concept Development: Lead the conceptualization and development of architectural and interior design strategies for new hotel builds and significant renovations, ensuring alignment with brand identity and market positioning.
• Design Coordination & Integration: Orchestrate comprehensive collaboration among multidisciplinary design teams (architects, interior designers, landscape architects, MEP engineers, etc.) and external consultants to ensure technical feasibility, aesthetic coherence, and constructability.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Serve as the primary design liaison, effectively communicating design intent, progress, and critical decisions to project owners, executive leadership, and all project stakeholders through compelling presentations and detailed reports.
• Quality Assurance & Standards Compliance: Implement rigorous quality control measures for all design elements, including materials, finishes, FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment), and specifications, ensuring they meet luxury hospitality standards, durability requirements for coastal environments, and sustainability goals.
• Regulatory & Brand Compliance: Ensure all designs and specifications meticulously adhere to Bahamian building codes, local regulations, international hospitality standards, and specific brand guidelines for each hotel project.
• Design Phase Management: Oversee the progression of design work through all project phases, including schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence.
• Value Engineering & Cost Control: Actively participate in value engineering exercises to optimize design solutions without compromising quality or brand experience, and collaborate with cost consultants to ensure designs remain within budgetary constraints.
• Risk Management: Proactively identify potential design-related risks (e.g., environmental, technical, regulatory) and develop mitigation strategies to safeguard project timelines and objectives.
• Site Adaptation & Local Context: Ensure designs are sensitive to and optimized for the unique environmental conditions, cultural context, and local resources present in the Bahamas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a holistic approach to design management, extending beyond pure aesthetics to encompass regulatory compliance, cost control, risk mitigation, and site-specific adaptation, which are crucial for successful large-scale hospitality projects in unique environments like the Bahamas.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or Civil Engineering.
• Master’s degree in Project Management is highly preferred, indicating a need for strong programmatic oversight.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in design and project management within the hospitality sector.
• Demonstrated success in managing construction and renovation projects specifically in coastal or island environments, showcasing an understanding of related challenges (e.g., material durability, logistics, environmental impact).

Required Skills:

• Design Software Proficiency: Advanced skills in industry-standard design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp for design review, coordination, and documentation analysis.
• Hospitality Design Expertise: Deep understanding of luxury hotel design principles, guest experience flows, operational requirements, and brand standards across various hospitality segments.
• Project Management Fundamentals: Strong grasp of project lifecycle management, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk assessment, and quality control, with a focus on design integration.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with Bahamian building codes, planning regulations, and relevant international construction and accessibility standards.
• Material Science & Durability: Knowledge of materials, finishes, and FF&E suitable for demanding coastal environments, considering factors like salt spray, humidity, and UV exposure.
• Communication & Presentation: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate complex design concepts and project updates to diverse audiences, including C-suite executives.
• Leadership & Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams, foster collaboration, and manage external consultants and contractors effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Sustainability Design: Experience with sustainable design principles and certifications (e.g., LEED, BREEAM) relevant to hospitality projects.
• Procurement & Contract Management: Familiarity with procurement processes and contract administration for design services and FF&E.
• Bahamian Market Insight: Prior experience working within the Bahamian construction and development landscape.
• Spanish Language Proficiency: A significant advantage, facilitating communication in a region with strong Latin American ties.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Master’s in Project Management preferred" suggests that while design expertise is paramount, the ability to manage complex projects with multiple dependencies, budgets, and timelines will be heavily scrutinized. Candidates should highlight their project management methodologies and experience in managing design as a critical project component.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Project Showcase: A curated portfolio demonstrating successful end-to-end management of significant hotel development or renovation projects, with a clear emphasis on the Bahamian or similar coastal environments.
• Visual Documentation: High-quality visual representations of completed projects, including architectural plans, interior design concepts, material palettes, and FF&E selections.
• Process & Methodology: Evidence of structured design management processes, including concept development, stakeholder approval workflows, design review cycles, and quality assurance protocols.
• Problem-Solving Case Studies: Specific examples within the portfolio that highlight how design challenges were overcome, particularly those related to coastal conditions, regulatory hurdles, or budget constraints, showcasing analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Impact Metrics: Quantifiable results where possible, demonstrating how design decisions contributed to project success, such as improved guest satisfaction scores, operational efficiencies, or adherence to sustainability targets.

Process Documentation:

• Design Workflow Mapping: Ability to document and articulate clear, efficient workflows for design concept development, detailed design, consultant coordination, and construction document issuance.
• Quality Control Checklists: Development and application of systematic checklists and review processes to ensure design integrity and compliance at various project milestones.
• Stakeholder Communication Protocols: Documentation of effective communication strategies and reporting templates used for engaging owners, developers, and other key stakeholders throughout the design process.
• Risk Assessment & Mitigation Plans: Examples of how design-related risks were identified, assessed, and addressed through proactive planning and design adjustments.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role, the portfolio is not just about showcasing finished aesthetics but demonstrating the process of managing design effectively within complex project environments. Candidates should prepare to walk through their portfolio, explaining their role, the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the outcomes achieved, with a focus on their management and coordination efforts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on location (Mexico City, with significant Bahamian project work), experience level (7+ years), and the specialized nature of hospitality design management in a unique environment, a competitive salary range for this role is estimated to be between $90,000 - $130,000 USD annually.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: This estimate is derived from industry benchmarks for senior design and project management roles in international consulting firms, adjusted for the specific demands of luxury hospitality development in the Caribbean and the cost of living adjustments for potential temporary relocation to the Bahamas. Actual compensation will vary based on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and the final negotiation with Turner & Townsend.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Company-matched contributions to a retirement or pension fund.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.
• Travel & Accommodation: Reimbursement or provision for travel, accommodation, and per diem expenses incurred during assignments in the Bahamas.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuing education, certifications, and training in project management and design.
• Life Insurance: Company-provided life insurance coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services.
• Performance Bonuses: Potential for discretionary bonuses based on individual and company performance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: Given the nature of international project management and the need for on-site presence during critical phases in the Bahamas, flexibility will be expected. This may include occasional work outside of standard hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet project deadlines and coordinate with international teams or stakeholders in different time zones. The company emphasizes a healthy work-life balance, but project demands in this sector can be intense.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Services (Construction & Property Consultancy), specializing in Real Estate, Infrastructure, and Energy. Turner & Townsend operates globally, providing project management, cost management, and consulting services. Company Size: Over 22,000 employees globally. This indicates a large, established organization with structured processes, significant resources, and a broad international presence, offering stability and diverse career opportunities. Founded: The company has a long history, though the specific founding date is not provided, its global reach and acquisition by CBRE (majority owner) suggest a mature and well-established entity in the professional services market.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: This role likely sits within a dedicated Real Estate or Hospitality project management division. The team structure will involve reporting to a senior project director or regional head, with direct collaboration with project managers, cost consultants, and potentially client-side representatives.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: The Design Manager will work extensively with architects, interior designers, engineers, contractors, procurement specialists, and client stakeholders. Collaboration is key to integrating design seamlessly into the overall project delivery framework.
• Reporting Hierarchy: Typically, a Design Manager reports into a Project Director or Program Manager who oversees the entire development. They will also have strong dotted-line reporting to client representatives or owner’s project managers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Turner & Townsend emphasizes using data analytics to inform project strategies, cost estimations, risk assessments, and performance monitoring.
• Integrated Project Delivery: The company promotes collaborative approaches to project management, fostering partnerships between all project stakeholders to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Digital Solutions: A focus on leveraging technology and digital tools to enhance efficiency, transparency, and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
• Net Zero & Sustainability Focus: Increasingly, Turner & Townsend integrates net-zero and sustainability considerations into project planning and execution, a trend likely relevant to modern hotel development.

Company Website: www.turnerandtownsend.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend's global presence and majority ownership by CBRE suggest a highly professional, process-driven environment. For operations professionals, this means an emphasis on robust project management methodologies, clear reporting lines, and adherence to established best practices. The "transform together" ethos highlights a forward-thinking approach to client challenges.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a senior-level Design Manager, requiring significant specialized experience in hospitality design and project execution within challenging environments. It's a leadership role responsible for a critical project component. Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will report to a Project Director or Senior Project Manager. They will also have significant interaction and reporting responsibilities to the client (hotel owners/developers). This dual reporting structure requires strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Operations Impact: The Design Manager's impact is profound, directly influencing the aesthetic appeal, functionality, guest experience, operational efficiency, and ultimately, the commercial success and brand reputation of the hotel developments. Their decisions affect project budget, timeline, and long-term asset value.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Project Management: Progression to Project Director or Program Manager roles, overseeing larger, more complex, or multiple concurrent hotel development projects.
• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas like sustainable design, luxury hospitality fit-out, or complex renovations.
• Regional Leadership: Potential to lead design management efforts across a broader region or within specific market segments.
• Client-Side Roles: Leveraging experience to move into senior design or development roles with hotel brands or development firms.
• Business Development: Contributing to the growth of Turner & Townsend's hospitality sector by assisting in client acquisition and proposal development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Design Manager at a firm like Turner & Townsend is typically within project management or specialized consulting. Growth often involves taking on more responsibility for project scope, client relationships, and team leadership, rather than a steep vertical climb into a completely different function, unless seeking to move client-side.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the listing is in Mexico City, the role necessitates significant on-site presence in the Bahamas. This implies a hybrid work environment where the Mexico City office might serve as a base for administrative tasks, remote coordination, and occasional team meetings, while the primary work location during project phases will be project sites and potentially temporary offices in the Bahamas. Office Location(s): The role is based out of Mexico City, Mexico, but requires frequent and potentially extended stays in the Bahamas for project oversight. Specific project sites within the Bahamas will vary.

Workspace Context:

• Project Site Immersion: Expect to spend considerable time on active construction sites in the Bahamas, requiring adaptability to dynamic and sometimes challenging site conditions.
• Collaborative Hubs: When not on-site, work may occur in client offices, project team offices, or potentially a base office in Mexico City. Collaboration with global teams will likely involve digital tools.
• Technology-Enabled: Access to necessary design software, project management platforms, and communication tools will be provided to facilitate seamless collaboration across distances.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time, Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: As noted in compensation, flexibility is expected due to the nature of international project management and on-site construction phases. This can involve working non-standard hours to meet deadlines, coordinate with different time zones, or attend site-specific events. The company's commitment to work-life balance will be balanced against the demands of delivering high-profile hotel projects.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio by the recruitment team to assess alignment with core requirements.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A detailed discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Director or Senior Manager) focusing on your experience, technical skills, and understanding of hospitality design and project management.
• Technical Assessment/Case Study: You may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio or tackle a hypothetical design management scenario relevant to hotel development in the Bahamas. This assesses your problem-solving, strategic thinking, and presentation abilities.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential peers, senior leadership, and possibly client representatives to evaluate cultural fit, collaboration style, and leadership potential.
• Final Interview/Offer: A concluding discussion with senior management, potentially involving offer negotiation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Relevance: Select projects that most closely align with luxury hospitality, coastal environments, and complex renovations.
• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate your specific role, the key challenges you faced (design, technical, logistical, regulatory), the solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes.
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your management and coordination processes, not just the final visual output. Show how you navigated design phases, managed stakeholders, and ensured quality.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data to demonstrate the success of your design decisions (e.g., improved guest feedback, cost savings, adherence to sustainability goals).
• Prepare for Depth: Be ready to discuss technical details, material choices, regulatory considerations, and your leadership approach in detail.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Thinking: Anticipate questions about managing design conflicts, navigating budget constraints, ensuring sustainability compliance, or adapting designs to unique site conditions.
• Bahamas Context: Research current hotel development trends in the Bahamas, potential environmental considerations (e.g., hurricane resilience, coastal erosion), and any known regulatory nuances.
• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you have managed difficult client conversations, resolved disputes between consultants, or presented complex design changes to executive teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical component for this role. Candidates should prepare a concise, impactful presentation that tells a story about their ability to manage design from concept to completion in a high-stakes environment. Demonstrating a proactive, problem-solving approach, rather than just a reactive one, will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design & Modeling Tools:

• AutoCAD: Essential for 2D drafting, reviewing architectural plans, and coordinating markups.
• Revit: Crucial for BIM (Building Information Modeling), 3D visualization, clash detection, and generating construction documents. Proficiency is likely expected for design coordination and review.
• SketchUp: Useful for rapid 3D conceptualization, massing studies, and presenting design ideas in an accessible format.

Project Management & Collaboration Tools:

• Microsoft Project / Primavera P6: Likely used for overall project scheduling and timeline management, which the Design Manager must integrate their design schedule into.
• Procore / Aconex / Similar Platforms: Common in construction for document control, RFI management, submittals, and site communication. Familiarity is highly beneficial.
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint): Standard for reporting, documentation, presentations, and general office tasks. PowerPoint will be key for stakeholder presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Excel: For data analysis, budget tracking, and creating custom reports.
• Power BI / Tableau (Potentially): For creating visual dashboards to track design progress, budget adherence, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

CRM & Automation:

• Internal Turner & Townsend Systems: Specific CRM or project management software used by the firm for client management and project tracking.
• Document Management Systems: Robust systems for storing, versioning, and sharing project documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: While direct hands-on use of all these tools might not be required daily, a Design Manager must be proficient in reviewing and understanding outputs from these systems and effectively communicating with teams who use them. A strong understanding of how design integrates with BIM, project scheduling, and document control platforms is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in all dealings with clients, consultants, and contractors.
• Excellence: Striving for the highest quality outcomes in design, project delivery, and client service.
• Collaboration: Fostering a team-oriented environment where diverse expertise is shared and leveraged.
• Innovation: Embracing new technologies and methodologies to drive efficiency and deliver better project results.
• Client Focus: Placing client needs and objectives at the forefront of all project activities.
• Safety & Sustainability: Commitment to safe working practices and environmentally responsible project development.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Turner & Townsend emphasizes working in partnership with clients and other project stakeholders, promoting a collaborative and transparent approach.
• Proactive & Responsive: The team is expected to be proactive in identifying and addressing issues, and responsive to client needs and project changes.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Encouraging open communication and seamless integration between design, cost, project management, and other disciplines to ensure a unified approach to project delivery.
• Feedback Culture: A willingness to provide and receive constructive feedback to continuously improve processes and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values and collaboration style are indicative of a professional services firm that prioritizes long-term client relationships and high-quality project execution. Operations professionals will find a structured yet collaborative environment where their ability to integrate with diverse teams and drive collective success is highly valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Design Vision with Project Constraints: Effectively managing client expectations, budget limitations, and aggressive timelines while maintaining design integrity and quality.
• Navigating Complex Regulatory Landscapes: Ensuring compliance with diverse and potentially evolving Bahamian regulations and international standards.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholders: Aligning the interests and expectations of multiple parties, including owners, operators, investors, and local authorities.
• Logistical Complexities of Island Development: Overcoming challenges related to material procurement, transportation, skilled labor availability, and site access in an island environment.
• Environmental Resilience: Designing for extreme weather events (e.g., hurricanes) and ensuring long-term durability in a corrosive coastal environment.
• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring that diverse projects across the Bahamas consistently reflect the luxury brand standards of various hotel operators.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Project Management: Opportunities to gain certifications (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) and develop advanced skills in managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Hospitality Sector Expertise: Deepening knowledge of hotel operations, market trends, and guest experience design within the luxury segment.
• International Project Experience: Gaining invaluable experience managing projects in unique international markets, enhancing global professional credibility.
• Sustainability Integration: Learning to apply and lead sustainable design practices tailored to tropical and coastal regions.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior team members and take on leadership roles in client-facing capacities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to large-scale hospitality development in unique geographical locations. Successfully navigating these will require strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and a deep understanding of both design and project management principles. The growth opportunities are geared towards building expertise and leadership within the firm and the hospitality sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe how you would approach developing a design brief for a new luxury resort in the Bahamas, considering local environmental factors and brand requirements." (Focus on process, stakeholder input, and risk identification.)
• "Walk me through a challenging situation where you had to balance a client’s demanding design request with significant budget or timeline constraints. How did you resolve it?" (Demonstrate negotiation, problem-solving, and communication skills.)
• "How do you ensure design consistency and quality across multiple projects or with different architectural teams working simultaneously?" (Highlight your quality control, coordination, and standardization processes.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Turner & Townsend's work in the hospitality sector, and how do you see yourself contributing to our 'transform together' ethos?" (Research company projects and values.)
• "How do you foster collaboration among diverse teams, including architects, engineers, and contractors, especially when working remotely or across different cultures?" (Provide examples of your teamwork and communication strategies.)
• "How do you measure the success of a design project beyond aesthetics? What KPIs are important to you?" (Focus on guest experience, operational efficiency, sustainability, and ROI.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each selected project, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your role and approach, the solutions, and the successful outcome.
• Focus on Your Contribution: Clearly articulate your specific responsibilities and achievements, especially in coordination, problem-solving, and stakeholder management.
• Visual Aids: Use high-quality images, plans, and diagrams. Be prepared to explain specific design choices and their rationale.
• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, present data to support your claims about project success (e.g., budget adherence, client satisfaction ratings, sustainability metrics).
• Anticipate Questions: Be ready to delve deeper into any aspect of your projects, including technical details, design rationale, and lessons learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design proficiency but also strong project management acumen, leadership capabilities, and an understanding of the unique demands of the hospitality industry and coastal development. Be prepared to discuss both the 'what' and the 'how' of your past projects.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.
• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a professional portfolio that showcases your most relevant hospitality design and project management experience, with a strong emphasis on coastal or island projects. Ensure it highlights your process, problem-solving abilities, and quantifiable achievements.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your experience in hotel development, design management, project leadership, stakeholder engagement, and proficiency with relevant design and project management software. Use keywords from the job description.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Turner & Townsend's global projects, particularly within the hospitality sector, and understand their company values and approach to project delivery. Research current hotel development trends and challenges in the Bahamas.
• Interview Practice: Prepare to articulate your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions, and practice presenting your portfolio case studies concisely and impactfully.

⚠️ 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.