Job Description
Job description:
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Lead the Design of California's Largest Educational Construction Program
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Project Support Services (PSS) is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to support the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Facilities Services Division – Asset Management Team.
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This executive-level leadership position is responsible for directing the design and planning of major school modernization, capital improvement, and critical repair projects across one of the nation's largest K-12 school districts.
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The ideal candidate is a licensed Architect or Professional Engineer with extensive experience managing complex educational facility design programs, leading multidisciplinary teams, overseeing consultant performance, and ensuring projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with District standards and regulatory requirements.
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What You'll Do
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- Lead the planning, organization, and execution of design activities for school modernization and critical repair projects.
- Serve as the District's lead design professional, providing technical leadership and quality oversight throughout the design process.
- Manage multiple educational facility projects from concept through design approval and transition to construction.
- Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and District stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery.
- Oversee consultant performance, design quality, and adherence to District standards, schedules, and budgets.
- Interface with the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and ensure compliance with all applicable codes and regulations.
- Lead the architectural firm selection process and recommend consultant assignments based on qualifications and project needs.
- Establish and manage design review processes that maximize project value while meeting educational, environmental, and community objectives.
- Review design changes and monitor project scope to maintain budget and schedule objectives.
- Ensure complete and accurate project documentation that satisfies legal and contractual requirements.
- Coordinate design activities with Environmental Health & Safety, Maintenance & Operations, Project Execution, Local Districts, and other internal departments.
- Participate in community outreach efforts supporting school construction projects.
- Mentor staff and promote continuing education through workshops and professional development initiatives.
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Minimum Qualifications:
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Required Experience
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- Minimum 15 years of full-time professional experience managing facility design, planning, or capital improvement programs.
- Extensive experience overseeing:
- Facility design
- Contract administration
- Cost estimating
- Project scheduling
- Minimum 5 years managing the design, planning, and construction of K-12 educational facilities.
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Education
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- Bachelor's degree in:
- Architecture, or
- Engineering
- Master's degree in Architecture or Engineering preferred.
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Required License
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- Current California Registered Architect license or
- California Professional Engineer (PE) license.
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Preferred Qualifications
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Experience with:
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- Educational facility planning and modernization
- DSA coordination and approvals
- California Building Code
- ADA compliance
- Title 24
- Sustainable design practices
- Public agency capital improvement programs
- Consultant procurement and management
- Contract administration
- Budget development and cost control
- Design quality management
- Community engagement
- Executive stakeholder presentations
- Multidisciplinary team leadership
- Risk management and schedule oversight
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Ideal Candidate
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We're looking for a strategic leader who:
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- Has extensive K-12 educational facility design experience.
- Excels at leading multidisciplinary teams and outside consultants.
- Is highly organized with exceptional leadership and communication skills.
- Understands California educational facility regulations and DSA requirements.
- Can effectively balance quality, schedule, budget, and stakeholder expectations.
- Thrives in a fast-paced public sector environment while managing multiple high-profile projects.
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Why Join PSS?
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- At Project Support Services, you'll help shape the future of public education by leading some of Southern California's most significant school modernization and capital improvement projects. Join a collaborative team dedicated to delivering innovative, high-quality educational facilities that benefit students and communities for generations to come.
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