Manager, Architecture & Engineering Design - Placemaking

At Universal Creative, we design, develop and deliver the most compelling entertainment experiences imaginable to drive growth for Universal Parks & Resorts worldwide. Our innovative attractions, immersive theme parks and world-class resorts fuse art and technology to create new standards in the themed entertainment industry.

Our Team Members are the driving force behind Universal Creative. With their diverse skills and forward-thinking ideas, our team pushes us beyond the boundaries of what’s possible to achieve the extraordinary. Together, we’re creating a Universe of fun, always ensuring the next thing we do is better than the last thing we did.

JOB SUMMARY:

Oversees and manages the overall pre-design and design phase of project(s) within the Creative Placemaking team. Management in design includes managing the feasibility studies, Intellectual Property (IP) Architectural, Engineering, and specialty design consultants within design phases and construction administration phase of a project within Universal Orlando Resort. Also manages the resources, finances, and schedule of assigned project(s).

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for managing the contracts, and deliverables of Architecture, Engineering, and specialty vendors required for the design phases and construction administration phase of a project. Responsible for coordinating all design and show vendors including the development of all preliminary design exhibits thru final facility inputs provided by internal partners and stakeholders. Attends weekly meetings as necessary for coordination and completion of projects.
• Collaborates and supports the project manager in the construction phase of a project. Monitors and supports construction in the field including identifying and resolving discrepancies between the construction and drawings and/or design intent. Participates in the management and response to the various requests for information. Evaluates the Architecture and Engineering vendor’s and other specialty vendor’s responses to requests for information and the preparation of modification documents.
• Ensures that the program of a project and design intent is established for a project with internal partners and stakeholders, either before engaging external consultants or with the procured assistance of external consultants. Ensures that the creative design intent and project program are maintained during the preparation and deliverable of design documents by the Architecture and Engineering vendors, specialty consultant vendors and other outside parties. Ensures that all intellectual property (IP) and IP assets are approved by partners through internal IP liaisons and directly with IP representatives as applicable to the project.
• Develops the design strategy to achieve quality deliverables within the schedule and on budget. Responsible for the development of projects design intent and complete cost effective and constructible deliverables, specifically for the Facility and Architecture/ Engineering/ specialty consultants, area of the project. Responsible for reviewing the drawings and specifications pertaining to all aspects of a project, to ensure that they are coordinated between disciplines, meet the design intent, and are complete and accurate for construction.
• Responsible for the development of all external design vendors’ scope of work and request for proposal documents; the selection and pre-qualification of potential Architecture, Engineering, and other design specialty vendors; the coordination with legal and finance internal departments for procurement of design vendor services; the response to questions / clarification during the proposal process, the analysis of the proposals and the development of the recommendation for the vendors.
• Prepares the Architecture/Engineering schedule for facility design and other design specialty vendors. Responsible for ensuring that the design vendors maintain the required schedule and meet their milestone delivery dates in a timely manner. Meet regularly with internal schedulers and estimators to align project controls.
• Prepares weekly and monthly progress reports on the status of the project and other outside design vendor efforts. Meets with supervisors to report project updates. Establishes schedule milestones with internal design subject matter experts to evaluate development of project design intent.
• Responsible for managing the Architecture, Engineering, and specialty design vendors contractual obligations including the evaluation of any requests for additional services, the preparation of any directives, the negotiation of all changes and the incorporation of any agreed upon changes into the vendors agreement, the internal submission and approval process for vendor contracts and directives, and the state of the project budget with the internal legal, contracts, and finance teams.
• Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UDX policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

Knowledge of forecasting and budget allocation techniques. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Able to proactively develop projects and seek collaboration as needed with other internal team members. Excellent analytical and organizational skills. Design capabilities preferred.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Mgmt, degree is required. 

EXPERIENCE: 

• 7+ years’ required Turn-key projects experience, specifically within the entertainment, hospitality, and theme park industry. 
• Supervisory and contract/vendor management experience. 
• Hand and digital drawing, and drafting skills required.  Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, PMWeb, REVU Bluebeam, AUTO CADD, Revit, Sketch Up, Adobe Design Suite, PowerPoint, and AI required.
• Licensed Architect or Engineer required.
• or equivalent combination of education, skillset, and experience.

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.