Design Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

Barton Malow is seeking a Design Manager based in Southfield, MI to lead technical matters relating to design and engineering for project pursuits and execution. This role serves as the master integrator between design and construction, ensuring the design meets the Owner's criteria and the needs of the Barton Malow construction team. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader with strong design expertise, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with A/E partners, project teams, and clients.

The Design Manager will play a critical role in driving project success by managing design scope, schedule, and quality across project pursuits and execution. This position supports projects across Barton Malow's markets and delivery methods where the team holds design coordination or design ownership responsibilities. The role requires strong leadership capabilities and the ability to partner with project leadership and cross-functional teams in managing risk and maintaining design performance.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Set expectations and establish project rules of engagement: manage the design and engineering effort on behalf of the Barton Malow team; establish protocols for communication between the A/E, Barton Malow, Owner, and other stakeholders; define workflows, responsibilities, and reporting relationships across project leadership, trade partners, and team member functions.
• Establish and monitor scope: maintain the design scope of work and design division of responsibility with input and agreement from the A/E, Owner, and Barton Malow; identify scope gaps and scope creep throughout the design phase.
• Establish and monitor the design schedule: maintain the design deliverable list and overall design schedule in conjunction with the A/E; ensure deliverables meet the needs of estimating, procurement, construction, and commissioning; integrate design progress with project cost forecasting and construction planning; track and remove design constraints to maintain the schedule.
• Lead design coordination meetings and communicate design status, recovery plans, and critical path impacts to stakeholders.
• Review, monitor, and report on overall A/E performance, quality, and contract compliance; support claims avoidance through accurate design records and reporting to the Project Manager and Senior Design Manager.
• Drive design change management, including scope changes, design clarifications, and RFIs that impact schedule or cost; identify design risks and proactively communicate mitigation strategies to project leadership and executive management.
• Mentor and support design management team members and develop best practices, templates, and tools for the Design Management Team.
• Collaborate with operations and preconstruction teams to improve design management processes and drive successful project execution.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or a related field required.
• 5+ years of design management, architectural, or engineering experience within the construction industry.
• Experience managing design efforts on large-scale commercial, industrial, or advanced technology projects; prior experience on Design Build (DB), EPC, or Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) projects strongly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of architectural and engineering deliverables, design phases, the design review process, and design scope, schedule, and change management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with Bluebeam, Autodesk Build, Revit, and project collaboration platforms preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team collaboration skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to identify risks, solve problems proactively, and drive design performance outcomes.
• Travel for project assignments may be required based on Company needs.