Design Manager - Higher Education - Senior

At Gensler, we design for people. We leverage our global perspective and local presence to innovate at every scale. We're not just designers. We're tinkerers, craftspeople, visionaries, innovators and thought leaders. Fueled by passion and entrepreneurial spirit, our people bring innovative ideas to solve challenging problems. Our San Jose studio has a thriving interiors and architectural practice focusing on workplace. Through our integrated inside-out design approach, we impact both the people working in our buildings and the surrounding community with our inspirational and thought leading design solutions.

Gensler is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join our San Jose team. Diverse higher education experience preferred, including interiors, architecture, master planning, pre-design services, DSA, and SFM experience. We are collaborative and client focused, with a commitment to design experience, sustainability, and equity. Join us and work collaboratively with our leadership team to help grow our practice in San Jose and the NW region.

Your Role

A Design Manager at Gensler is a self-directed team leader, with excellent communication and technical skills and the ability to deliver projects to a successful completion. He or she will lead clients and project teams through all project phases, driving design excellence and client satisfaction, and acting as the main point of contact for the client. And he or she will mentor junior staff to promote a high level of design and technical proficiency in all work produced.

What You Will Do

• Act as hands-on design manager for a variety of projects
• Engage clients and stakeholders to identify project vision, goals, and objectives
• Work collaboratively with others toward design solutions
• Promote engagement and collaboration at all levels, including design team, consultants, clients, and contractors
• Manage teams from concept design through construction with a deep understanding of zoning, codes, construction standards, and other regulatory requirements
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and work plans
• Ensure excellent performance regarding project design quality, schedule, and budget
• Prepare and review proposals, contracts, and consultant agreements
• Work with accounting team to manage the billing process
• Participate in firm marketing, proposal writing, and project interviews
• Mentor, coach and manage junior/intermediate staff
• Contribute to general office-wide initiatives, external thought leadership, and marketing efforts
• Support firmwide sustainability and resilience goals, and drive high performance solutions
• Support diversity, equity, and inclusion goals on projects and within the office
• Develop and maintain positive client relationships

Your Qualifications

• 10-15+ Years of Design Management experience in an Architecture firm
• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture required, Master's Degree preferred
• Track-record of success with education, sciences, civic, and other mission-driven institutional projects
• Knowledge and experience in all phases of interior design and architectural projects
• Strong user engagement, programming, and pre-design planning skills a plus
• Ability to provide excellent client service and assure project profitability
• Ability to work in person in the office 4-5 days a week
• Collaborative spirit and desire to mentor junior/intermediate staff
• Knowledge of state and local building codes including accessibility
• Sustainable design experience, including hands-on experience with LEED, LBC, and other certification systems
• Computer skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and Project), and AutoCAD required
• Revit, SketchUp and Photoshop skills are a plus

**The base salary will be estimated between $135k - 165k plus bonuses and benefits and contingent on relevant experience.

For consideration, please submit cover letter, resume and portfolio in PDF format.

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions and hackathons, to "Well-being Week," our offices reflect our teams' diverse interests.

We encourage our employees to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm's commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.

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