Real Estate Design Manager - Office Services

Title: Facilities Design Manager                   

Division: Office Services                         

LJA recognizes that our success depends on the quality of the people we hire. We are currently seeking highly talented individuals that take pride in their work, function exceptionally well in team environments, and contribute to the overall success of the company. As a 100% employee-owned company, we promote an entrepreneurial spirit that helps drive the bottom line and the long-term professional and financial success of our employees. With more than 70 office locations, LJA is growing and ready for talented people to help us build our future.

Summary:  The Design Manager will play a critical role in managing design and technical coordination for office construction and renovation projects. This position will work closely with Real Estate, Project Management, and IT teams to ensure timely delivery of high-quality design documents, incorporating best practices and addressing project-specific challenges. The Design Manager will manage the design process from initial concept through construction documentation, ensuring technical integration and design consistency across all projects.

First Key Tasks:                

The first key tasks for this role will include: 

• Assembling finish palette standards (A, B, C) 
• Determining typical lead times with vendors for finishes 
• Finalizing the architectural standards document 

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:         

Below is a list of primary responsibilities but it is not meant to be all-inclusive or to prevent other duties from being assigned.  

Design Coordination & CAD Drawings 

• Create CAD drawings for small-scale projects and update existing plans.
• Ensure data cabling, AV, access control, and furniture plans are created and approved before reaching 50% construction drawings and incorporated into the final plan set.

Architectural Standards & Finish Selections 

• Develop and maintain architectural standards and finish palette guidelines. 
• Assemble final finish boards and maintain selection records for each project. 
• Ensure consistency and quality in finish selection across all locations. 

Collaboration & Contractor Management 

• Work with architects to review and manage test fits and layouts. 
• Contract and manage external architectural services and coordinate with internal teams to align project goals. 

Construction Documentation & Plan Review 

• Oversee the construction document process, conducting detailed reviews to identify potential issues and explore value engineering options. 
• Attend initial construction meetings and participate until all submittals are completed. 
• Monitor RFIs and attend additional construction meetings if design-related issues arise. 

Change Order & Plan Approvals 

• Approve change orders, ensuring they align with project budgets and standards. 
• Approve data cabling, AV, and furniture plans for inclusion in the final construction document set. 

Permitting Management & Compliance 

• Manage the permitting process to ensure compliance with all local regulations and building codes. 

Site Inspections, Punch Lists & Issue Resolution 

• Perform existing condition inspections and travel as needed for construction-related issues. 
• Lead punch list processes to ensure projects meet design and quality standards. 
• Monitor the issues log and attend project debriefs to incorporate lessons learned into future designs. 

Other Duties 

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned or required. 

Required Education:

•  Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related field. 

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management, with a focus on architecture or construction. 
• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification preferred.  
• To be successful in this position, candidates should be: 
• Proficient in managing the design process from concept through construction documentation, with a focus on quality, consistency, and technical integration.
• Proficient in using AutoCAD, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and project management tools such as monday.com. 
• Experienced in coordinating and integrating IT infrastructure components, including data cabling, access control, and A/V, into construction projects. 
• Adept at conducting thorough plan reviews, identifying value engineering opportunities, and ensuring compliance with building codes and permitting requirements. 
• Skilled in managing change orders, monitoring RFIs, and approving data cabling, A/V, and furniture plans. 
• Experienced in leading punch list processes, monitoring issues logs, and incorporating lessons learned into future designs. 
• Strong in written and verbal communication, with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams. 
• Capable of prioritizing and managing multiple projects in a dynamic and geographically diverse environment. 
• Willing to travel an average of 3–5 days per month, with increased travel for large or complex projects. 

Physical Requirements     

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate with others and exchange accurate information; operate a computer and other office productivity machinery; move about the workplace; remain in a stationary position for 50% of the time; ascend/descend a ladder; conduct visual inspections; extend hands and arms in any direction; handle and manipulate hand tools; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; exert force by pushing/pulling items; and lift or move up to 50 pounds.