Design Manager

Reporting to the Project Director, the Design Manager leads and manages the design process for a project from commencement of design (pre-award) to the finalization of all design work and award of construction subcontracts. The Design Manager is responsible for contributing to the development of the Design team while ensuring procedures and best practices are followed.

This position will be based out of the Richmond, BC office, however as a project-based organization, work assignments are driven by business and project needs. The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel, work remotely from their home office, or temporarily relocate to project sites as required to support project pursuits and successful project delivery. Assignments may be located within or outside of the employee's home region, and travel frequency and duration will vary depending on operational and project requirements.

What You Will Be Working On

• Lead, promote, and maintain a positive safety culture within the team, without compromise.

• Lead the overall design strategy/win theme development for Design-Build and Public-Private-Partnership (P3) pursuits.

• Lead the process to select and retain the consultant team.

• Lead the consultant team through the entire design process.

• Review, understand, and ensure contractual obligations with the respect to the design are achieved.

• Develop and manage budgetary controls for the design and ensure the design meets or betters project budgets.

• Develop and manage QA controls for the design and ensure a complete and compliant design is delivered.

• Develop detailed design schedules that are coordinated with the overall project schedule, procurement strategy, and contractual obligations. Ensure the consultant team complies with the design schedules and that other parties provide all required information in a timely manner as to not delay the design.

• Develop and manage design risk controls through the design and ensure all risks are resolved or controlled through the completion of the design.

• Develop and manage stakeholder engagement plans to ensure outside consultation and compliance requirements are met (functional, technical, aesthetic, process, or otherwise.

• On large design projects, structure and oversee design-coordinators, specialty resources, and external specialists to ensure design objectives are met.

• Primary point of contact with the Client in relation to all design related matters. 

• Primary point of contact with the consultant team.

• Primary point of contact with municipalities and other authorities having jurisdiction in relation to all design and permit related matters.

• Regular reporting to project team members and senior management related to design schedule performance and quality of deliverables.

• Development and training of technical expertise for branch staff.

• Engage with other departments or senior managers to support and or lead other specific initiatives within the business unit.

Execution:

• Ensure that design policies and procedures are followed.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design policies and procedures.

• Ensure the team is meeting the compliance and contractual obligations and notify the team of any related risks.

• Monitor ongoing design efforts to ensure minimal compliance and most cost-effective design.

• Manage the time of the direct reports.

• Interface with other members of the Bid team or Project Execution team to ensure design effort is coordinated with all other efforts.

• Ensure the Design team is meeting all contractual obligations.

• Monitor for minimal compliance, including area checks, efficiency of the layout (corridors, electrical), and gross up factors.

• Monitor clash-detection processes for design

• Ensure design deliverables are submitted on time.

• Meet and ensure the quality of the design documents.

• Audit the design documents against the requirements, ensuring they are complete, coordinated, and meet industry quality standards.

• Notify the Commercial team of any contract variances to the performance specifications and variances to the original budget.

• Lead the Design Management of projects.

• Provide support to the Project Director / Manager and the Project Execution team as required.

• Liaise with the Project Execution team to ensure the design documents meet the Execution Team’s requirements.

• Manage approval process of design and design submissions internally with Project Director / Senior Management.

Financial Accountabilities:

• Oversee the design of complex projects.

• Minimize changes to the designers and maintain efficiency in the planning process.

• Ensure proper management of design risk.

• Ensure performance specifications are met.

• Ensure design meets or betters project budget. Liaise regularly with Estimating to ensure regular updates to the budget are completed as the design progresses. Make changes and undertake value engineering activities if it becomes apparent budget goals will not be achieved.

• Manage the number of hours of the team.

• Manage external and specialty consultant fees.

Client Focus:

• Build and maintain effective relationships with clients, design consultants, and other stakeholders.

• Negotiate with clients to resolve design issues as they arise.

• Manage expectations, educating others on the design process and communicating the highly technical design elements to all levels and understanding.

• Build rapport with the user group members / client representative.

What We Are Looking For

Ideal candidates come from either a:

• Construction Management background with demonstrated experience as a Project Manager or a Development Manager in a design/build environment in the ICI sector, preferably with a Contractor.

• Prime or Coordinating Consultant background with demonstrated experience as a Project Manager, Development Manager, Coordinating Professional, or Design Manager in the ICI sector, preferably with an Architect.

Your portfolio includes large commercial and institutional projects delivered under various project formats (D-B-B, D-B, CM, IPD) as well as experience delivering projects under the P3 model. You have a sound understanding of the design process and a strong technical knowledge base. Your proven leadership and project management skills will support your collaborative approach to delivering results.  You effectively provide overall supervision, coordination, and scheduling of design activities and have a thorough understanding of applicable regulatory requirements and industry practices. A strong leader and problem-solver, you are able to build and maintain trust with clients, consultants, and team members and instill competitive excellence and pride in teamwork through a project delivery.

Education, Experience and Knowledge

• Completion of a university program in a technical, business, or scientific field of study; a degree in Engineering or Architecture is an asset.

• LEED, PMP, P. Eng, and AAA designations are assets.

• Minimum 10 years of Construction Management or Consultant experience.

• Experience with Long Term Care or Healthcare Facilities is a strong asset.

• 3+ years of experience working as a Design Manager.

• Proficiency using MS Office Suite including MS Project.

• Proficiency using BIM software tools.

• Experience with Revizto and Assemble is an asset.

Compensation and Benefits:

Competitive salary with a company matched group retirement plan and a comprehensive benefits package including a personal/health spending account.

For Those Who Seek to Redefine

The greatest achievements in history are borne from the greatness within people – where human potential meets vision, and passion fuels evolution. Unlocking this potential is the most important thing we do at Bird.

As a leader in Canadian construction for over 100 years, the impact of our team is etched deeply within the core of our legacy. Beyond Bird, this impact is felt in the fundamental aspects of our everyday lives. From the critical infrastructure we depend on, to the energy and resources that keep us moving - we are powering our communities and shaping Canada’s skylines coast-to-coast-to-coast. Entrenched in the foundation of a culture built more than a century ago is an enduring quest to reimagine what is possible. Our impact is greater than ever, and we are looking for those who seek to redefine their story.

What We Believe In

We Put Safety First

A healthy and safe work environment is non-negotiable. We build a culture of operational and psychological safety through engagement, learning and leadership.

We Lead With Honesty

We speak and act with integrity, clarity and care so people can trust our word and our work. Being honest means we can deliver the best outcomes and consistent results.

We Are Stronger Together

Success is a team effort. Our inclusive workplace enables our combined expertise, humility and creativity to unlock our greater potential.

We Are Driven To Do Great Work

We built our name on quality. We have a passion for excellence in our work and relationships that honours our businesses and our industry.

We Create Opportunity

Rooted in a solid foundation, we adapt and grow to face the future. We are committed to elevating each other to chart the best path forward in an evolving world.

At Bird, we value Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) and believe it is essential to our success. We will continue to listen, learn, and take action in our commitment to building progress in our organization, and the industry as a whole. Cultivating an environment where all employees feel included, seen, and have a sense of belonging is core to Bird’s culture. We commit to proactively employing a workforce that reflects the communities in which we work, fostering an environment of continuous learning, and never compromising on our values.