Senior Design Manager

The Michaels Organization is a national leader in residential real estate offering full-service capabilities in development, property management, construction, and investment. At Michaels, our teammates strive to fulfill our promise of creating communities that lift lives – ones that jumpstart housing, education, civic engagement, and neighborhood prosperity. With this passion at the forefront of our business, Michaels teammates can be proud to be a part of the extraordinary, every day.

The Senior Design Manager will support market, workforce and student housing project development on the West Coast and Mountain West (Western Region) often assisting the broader corporate development team on other national project pursuits. Senior Design Manager shall work to assemble design teams and manage all phases of design from visioning, programming to conceptual planning, schematic design, design development through construction documents; collaborate with the pre-development team on schedule, budget and value-engineering; collaborate with the contractor as assigned if applicable; coordinate design with Michaels Leasing, Operations and Maintenance; support the Project Developer through entitlement and finance phases, and Project Manager during the construction phase on design related items for on-time/on-budget delivery. Overall, the position is expected to support business growth through procurement support and in response to solicited or acquired new opportunities as assigned.

• Work directly with the executive team during procurement and to execute new development opportunities.
• Participate/manage in the preparation of RFQs/RFPs, and requirements for site meeting/other meetings, as required.
• Participate/manage design and early pre-development related activities to assigned projects, including setting up/hiring and management of consultant teams, establishing and maintaining contracts.
• Direct outside consultants representing all project disciplines in architecture, civil engineering, survey environmental, Geotech, wet and dry utilities, structural, MEP/FP, low voltage, interior design, energy modeling and sustainability, etc.
• Maintain and monitor soft cost budgets from conceptual design through construction administration phase.
• Work with the pre-development team to ensure the creation of responsible budgets as they tie back to design and project schedules.
• Collaborate with the design team and contractor as assigned (if applicable) on design-build solution, and later on submittals, substitutions and design detail resolution.
• Support the Construction Administration phase as required through the construction period collaborating on pay requisitions, field resolution, pay requisitions, temporary and final certificates of occupancy.
• Support the procurement and installation of FF&E, and other Owner managed budgetary items.
• Participate in public speaking and/or client and public presentations.
• Lead design workshops with prospective clients and/or public officials.
• Identify appropriate technologies to be applied for efficiency in cost, design and construction including structural techniques, building systems and products, as well as project delivery methods.
• Develop key relationships with design professionals, consultants and industry leaders within the Multi-Family and Student Housing markets.
• Assist, as needed, with creation and implementation of Michaels-MSL Design and Construction Guidelines.

Required Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in large multi-family residential and/or student housing projects, with varied roles in Design, Management and Construction Administration.
• Previously held a position of Project Manager or above.
• Previous experience working in an architecture or engineering firm with construction field experience, as project architect or project engineer.

Required Education/Training:

• Minimum four-year bachelor degree in an Architecture or Engineering field
• Master’s degree not required, but preferred
• Licensed professional not required, but preferred

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Well versed in design and construction related software programs, and interpretation of same
• Ability to oversee, and facilitate teams for desired outcome
• Ability to make timely decisions, with parameters of this role
• Understanding of value-based design and value-engineering
• Detail oriented and drive to always be on top of their areas of responsibility
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to manage up and down
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Collaborative, respectful, and transparent approach to all stakeholders
• Superior desire to meet commitments and deadlines
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously through high energy, flexibility and excellent organizational skills
• Willingness to travel frequently and often on short notice, and participate in meetings in other time zones
• Project related software proficiency with Bluebeam, Adobe, AutoCAD (preferred), Microsoft Office, and online management tools, such as Procore

Working Conditions:

• Position reports to the corporate office MSL Construction Services group; however, the candidate will work remotely but required to spend at least two days per week in the Elk Grove, CA regional office while maintaining strong communications.
• Ability to travel as required to support project, manage teams and fulfill the role; managing time zone differences allowing for participation in conference calls and meetings to properly represent Michaels as the Owner.
• Frequent travel for project on the West Coast and Mountain West is required or as assigned to other regions, as well as occasional in-person meeting attendance at the corporate office in Camden, NJ.

Salary Range Information:

The range displayed on each job posting reflects the targeted base salary for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Rewards & Benefits:

We know Michaels’ promise of lifting lives starts with our teammates, so making sure every single teammate is happy, healthy, and set up for a successful future is important to us.  As part of our team, you will enjoy a competitive wage, a comprehensive benefit package which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, prescription, etc., generous paid time off, a 401 (k) plan with a company match, and so much more.  We believe in education – and in taking care of our own – so as an added incentive your children will be able to apply for the Michaels Employee Scholarship Program. 

• Help make the world a better place in a team-oriented environment.
• Grow with our organization through various professional development opportunities.
• Collaborate and thrive in a company culture where all are welcome

Michaels teammates make a difference in the lives of residents, colleagues, and the communities where we live and work every day.  To learn more about the total rewards we offer please visit our website. 

Come join our team. You’re going to love it here!