Design Manager

Job Title: Design Manager

Job Description

The Design Manager leads and oversees design activities for assigned development projects, ensuring optimal functionality, strong aesthetics, and efficient operational performance. This role manages the full design lifecycle, including programming, contract negotiation, scheduling, and budget adherence, while coordinating all design disciplines to meet project requirements in cost, quality, and design integrity.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage design activities for assigned development projects to ensure optimal functionality and aesthetically pleasing outcomes.

• Develop and oversee design programming to align project goals, user needs, and operational requirements.

• Negotiate design-related contracts to support project objectives, timelines, and budgets.

• Create, maintain, and monitor schedules for all phases of the design process to keep projects on track.

• Maintain design solutions within established project budgets while balancing quality, aesthetics, and functionality.

• Ensure that design solutions allow for efficient management and operations once projects are completed.

• Coordinate all design disciplines, including architecture and related design services, to deliver integrated and cohesive project outcomes.

• Manage the design process to ensure that scheduling, cost, quality, aesthetics, and design functionality meet the needs of the Project Development Manager.

• Collaborate closely with project stakeholders to translate project requirements into effective design strategies.

• Exercise independent judgment and decision-making in day-to-day design management activities, working under general direction from leadership.

• Support design efforts across multiple project types, including healthcare, residential, and multifamily developments.

• Contribute to a collaborative, interconnected culture by sharing expertise and working closely with cross-functional teams.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree (BA or BS) in Architecture.

• Registered Architect credential or the ability to obtain architectural licensure within 12 months.

• Minimum of 3 years of professional design experience.

• Strong architectural design skills with the ability to balance functionality and aesthetics.

• Proven project management experience within design and development environments.

• Experience in healthcare design, residential design, and multifamily projects.

• Demonstrated ability to manage design budgets and maintain cost control.

• Ability to plan, schedule, and oversee the full design process across multiple disciplines.

• Strong management skills with the ability to lead and coordinate design teams.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for working with project stakeholders and development teams.

• Capacity to exercise independent judgment and take initiative within defined project and organizational guidelines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in interconnected, collaborative organizations where design and operations are closely aligned.

• Ability to thrive in a meaningful, challenge-rich environment with a steady flow of complex projects.

• Comfort working in a people-focused business, building relationships and fostering teamwork.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in managing multiple projects and deadlines.

• Ability to travel periodically to project locations across multiple states.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, office-based position located in Des Moines, operating Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The role requires approximately 20% travel across a multi-state footprint, typically one week per month for 23 days at a time, to visit project sites and collaborate with stakeholders. The work setting is professional and business-focused, with a business professional dress code. The environment is highly collaborative and interconnected, where design teams and operations work closely together and design activities contribute significantly to organizational performance. The position offers a stable, non-consulting schedule of 40 hours per week and involves a high degree of independent judgment and action, with general guidance from design leadership and specific direction from project development leads.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Des Moines, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $125000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance Life Insurance Short & Long-Term Disability 401(k) Match 100% match on first 3% 50% match on next 2% Effective Day 1 Paid Parental Leave 3 Weeks PTO to start for most corporate employees 8 Sick Days annually Paid Holidays + 5 Floating Holidays PTO Carryover of up to 80 hours Profit-Sharing Opportunities (certain corporate roles) Education Assistance / Continuing Education Support Career Development & Internal Advancement Program

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Des Moines, IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 20, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Des Moines,IA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.