Design Manager at Coakley & Williams Construction, LLC – Bethesda

The Design Manager is a leadership role for a manager with a unique blend of design and construction knowledge. This position provides managerial leadership to efficiently complete design-build projects within the contract performance requirements, on time, on budget and meet and/or exceed quality control objectives.

CWC Leadership Competencies:

Visionary: Consistently articulates a clear and compelling picture of the future that motivates and guides others toward long-term goals.

Influential: Effectively persuades and inspires others by building strong relationships and presenting ideas with clarity and conviction.

Takes Strategic Perspective: Approaches decisions with a broad, long-term view, aligning actions with organizational priorities and anticipating future implications.

Team Focused: Actively contributes to a collaborative environment, valuing shared successes and supporting team cohesion and performance.

Committed to Personal Development: Demonstrates a proactive approach to learning and growth by seeking feedback, embracing challenges, and enhancing personal effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities:

Pre-proposal

• Identify/source potential projects in coordination with the Preconstruction and Business Development departments
• Participate in formal and informal business development/sales meetings and presentations
• Participate in one or more industry associations at the committee and/or board level
• Build and nurture relationships with existing and potential design partners and clients
• Recommend design partners including architect, engineers, and other specialty consultants as appropriate for selected projects in the present pipeline that require a design/build contract delivery method.
• Participate in and contribute to win strategy

Proposal

Lead and manage the design portion of proposal preparation in coordination with the Preconstruction and Marketing Departments.

Engage design and necessary consultant partners as appropriate for the project

Prepare and ensure execution of Teaming Agreement with the Design Team

Get agreement on fundamental contract terms and conditions with the Design Team in advance of proposal submission

Act as primary point of contact and manage communication with the Owner

Develop a strategy for production of design deliverables for pricing and/or submission purposes and manage the Design Team to ensure timely and appropriate production.

Work with Preconstruction and Operations Departments to weigh cost/scope tradeoffs to develop a “Best Value” proposal

Prepare soft costs estimates including design fees, permit fees, utility fees, design management general conditions and other applicable costs

Lead progress/coordination meetings with design team during the proposal phase of the puruist

Coordinate with the Marketing Department on the development of technical information to be included in the proposal

Determine appropriate schedule durations and logic for the preconstruction/design portion of the project and communicate this information to Scheduling department

Provide quality control reviews of submission documents (Drawings, narratives, specifications, etc.) to confirm compliance with the solicitation.

Participate in the preparation of and make presentations to Owner/Agencies in support of the proposals.

Post Award

• Prepare and negotiate Design Team agreements with support and final approval from CBO.
• Refine the Design Team, layout strategy, establish a design schedule and assertively move the project forward to meet the overall contract performance requirements
• Conduct meeting(s) with Owners/Agencies for project kick-off and other interaction during the design phase
• Conduct and oversee weekly design coordination meetings with Design Team, Operations and Preconstruction.
• Produce meeting minutes for all meetings and formal communications within 48 hours
• Manage the design process including:

RFIs

Owner communication

Ensure design complies with RFP and the proposal

Scheduling and schedule maintenance

Cost control in coordination with Preconstruction and Operations

Document quality control in coordination with the Design Team, Preconstruction, and Operations

Constructability review in coordination with Operations

Ensure timely and quality design submissions and reviews

Monitoring the Owner’s comments and Design Team’s responses

LEED compliance and ensure design meets or exceeds goals

Quality control of design submission through detailed review of deliverables

Maintain good documentation and maintain document control systems

Secure all necessary jurisdictional regulatory agency reviews and/or approvals (e.g. county, state, Department of Environment, Department of Transportation, Architectural Review Board, Commission of Fine Arts, NCPC etc. Attend meetings as appropriate to defend the design and the project.

Manage permit tracking log with all relevant permits and approvals required by project.

Secure all necessary permits and approvals from local utilities with or without the assistance of a third-party expeditor if required under the owner contract

Ensure a seamless hand-off of the construction documents to Operations

Stay involved during construction as design liaison as necessary

Use latest technology and software to complete projects.

Qualifications:

• At least five (5) years of experience in managing construction projects in excess of Twenty Million Dollars ($20M).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Procore Bluebeam as well as an understanding of Primavera scheduling and Navisworks for BIM
• Encourage free, open, professional communication
• Nurture creative problem solving
• Provide leadership/inspiration
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Ability in assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Passionate and dedicated to high-quality work
• Confidential, trustworthy, and self-motivated personality characteristics
• Ability to perform duties in a digital/paperless environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field
• LEED Accreditation
• DBIA Certification

Wage Transparency

In accordance with the Maryland Wage Transparency Law, the base salary range for this position is: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00

Coakley & Williams Construction offers a comprehensive total compensation and benefits package that includes health, dental and vision coverage, employer-matched 401(k), paid time off and holidays, performance-based bonuses, wellness program, and other voluntary benefits and leave types. The determination of salary is based on the candidate’s individual professional experience, qualifications, education, skills, and training.

Additional Note

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work required. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, physical job demands, or working conditions associated with the job. Successful candidates will seek additional responsibilities and opportunities to grow their skills in support of the company’s goals.

Coakley & Williams Construction is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, physical and mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/assignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, protected veterans’ status, or any other status prohibited by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. Coakley & Williams Construction promotes a drug-free workplace.