Senior Design Manager

STV is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to join our Construction Management group in Los Angeles. This leadership role is responsible for managing the planning, design, and coordination of K-12 capital improvement, modernization, school upgrade programs, and critical repair projects from concept through design completion and transition to construction. The ideal candidate will be the district's lead design representative, overseeing architects, engineers, consultants, and stakeholders to ensure that projects are completed in accordance with District standards, educational programming requirements, budget, schedule, DSA requirements, and relevant codes.

Responsibilities

Design Leadership & Project Management

• Lead and manage the planning, design, and coordination of multiple K-12 capital improvement projects from concept through construction handoff.
• Plan, organize, and direct design activities for School Upgrade Program (SUP), modernization, and critical repair projects.
• Manage the District's design process to ensure projects align with educational programming, budget, schedule, environmental, legal, and operational requirements.
• Monitor project progress, identify design risks, and resolve issues to maintain project schedules and milestones.
• Evaluate design changes and manage scope to maintain approved budgets and schedules.

Design Quality & Technical Oversight

• Serve as the lead design professional, providing technical leadership, quality assurance, and implementation of design policies and procedures.
• Review architectural and engineering deliverables for quality, constructability, functionality, code compliance, and cost effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with District standards, California Building Code, Division of the State Architect (DSA) requirements, ADA, sustainability goals, and other applicable regulations.
• Maintain accurate project documentation throughout the design process.

Consultant & Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate architects, engineers, consultants, District personnel, and regulatory agencies throughout all phases of design.
• Serve as the primary design liaison with the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and oversee design review and approval activities.
• Lead the selection, management, and performance of architectural and engineering consultants.
• Build collaborative relationships with District leadership, contractors, public agencies, and project stakeholders to support successful project delivery.

Continuous Improvement & Community Engagement

• Participate in community outreach efforts and stakeholder meetings to communicate project objectives and progress.
• Recommend improvements to design standards, project delivery processes, and best practices.
• Stay current on industry trends, educational facility planning, building technologies, and applicable codes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical field.
• 15+ years of professional experience managing facilities design or capital improvement projects, including design management, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling.
• At least 5 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction of K-12 educational facilities.
• Experience managing multiple projects through all phases of design.
• Strong knowledge of architectural design, engineering coordination, construction documents, building systems, and project delivery.
• Thorough understanding of California Building Code, DSA requirements, ADA, and public-sector procurement.
• Experience working with school districts or public-sector capital improvement programs.
• Demonstrated leadership managing multidisciplinary teams while balancing scope, schedule, budget, and quality.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed Architect or Professional Engineer.
• LEED AP or other sustainability credentials.
• Experience with LAUSD, large K-12 bond programs, community college districts, or higher education capital programs.
• Experience with Bluebeam, Autodesk products, BIM, or similar design software.

Compensation Range:

STV offers the following benefits

• Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable)
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 401(k) Plan
• Retirement Counseling
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days)
• Paid Holidays (9 days)
• Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year)
• Parental Leave (up to 80 hours)
• Continuing Education Program
• Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV’s work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.