Senior Design Manager

Description

About WS Development

Massachusetts-based WS Development is a mixed-use developer with a singular mission: creating places people want to be. With an approach that values art, science, innovation and, above all else, people, WS strives to engage each community it serves with best-in-class installations and activations. Established in 1990, WS is a vertically-integrated company that conceptualizes, owns, operates and leases more than 100 properties that range from cutting-edge urban spaces to lifestyle and community centers. With over 22 million square feet of existing space and an additional nine million square feet under development, it is one of the largest privately-owned development firms in the country.

WS is where great ideas and great people come together to design, build, and operate some of the best loved real estate projects in the country. We live at the intersection of entrepreneurship and establishment. We have the infrastructure of decades supporting a culture of free-thinking excellence.

We expect every WS employee to feel welcomed and valued irrespective of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

About The Studio

In addition to guiding the design ethos of the firm, the Studio, comprised of in-house architects and designers, provides planning and design solutions, serving as an important partner to Construction, Development, Leasing and Marketing departments.

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to work in-house for one of the largest mixed-use developers in the country. We seek a teammate with a passion for design who can help WS create places where people want to be, someone who strives for excellence the way we do. We are fast paced and dedicated to delivering best in class and hope that you find the same satisfaction from results. The position’s primary focus will provide design leadership and design project management within cross-functional teams including Development, Construction, Leasing, and Marketing for a range of new and existing mixed-used developments.

Design Manager Owns The Following Responsibilities

• Act as design ambassador for all assigned projects by articulating, orchestrating and realizing the design goals of projects.
• Create design concepts for mixed-use developments to elevate design aesthetic and bring fresh ideas to placemaking in the public realm, including architecture, landscape architecture, and signage and wayfinding.
• Execute design concepts by leading the design management efforts from Feasibility and Planning through Design and Construction.
• Act as main point of contact for design for external design consultant teams and internal cross-functional teams.
• Support internal Master Planning needs with conceptual feasibility studies and site planning.
• Collaborate with internal Investment Manager, Development Manager and Construction Manager on strategy, schedule and budget from project concept to completion.
• Manage the selection of design consultant teams through initial outreach, RFPs, award and contract execution and contract administration.
• Lead detailed design reviews for technical and aesthetic content for presentation and approval process internally.
• Provide critical information, documentation and collateral plans and renderings to Leasing for assigned projects.
• Support Tenant Construction Managers with the development of site-specific design criteria, tenant design reviews and negotiations and Lease design/construction term compliance.
• Oversee, train, and delegate to staff within the Studio to aid in the execution of all responsibilities.
• Contribute to educational, informational and/or special projects within the company.

Requirements

• Exceptional design aesthetic executed on a range of mixed-use commercial projects (hospitality, residential, office, and/or retail)
• Demonstrated success in managing the design process of projects; experience with how buildings systems are designed and constructed, working across disciplines with architects (AOR, Design, and Landscape), engineers (MEP/Life Safety, Civil, Traffic), designers (interior, lighting, environmental graphics) and signage vendors
• Exemplary project management skills including organization, time management, resourcefulness, flexibility, communication and collaboration with proven success at teamwork and working independently
• Degree in Architecture or similar
• 7-9 years of previous relevant experience required
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, 3D modeling (Sketchup or Revit)
• Applicant must submit work samples and/or portfolio as part of application process.

WS Development