The Senior Design Manager will oversee all aspects of the design process for Related Ross’s large-scale, mixed-use master plan developments. This individual will be responsible for setting design standards, managing multi-disciplinary consultant teams, and ensuring design excellence from concept through project completion. The role demands a leader with deep commercial experience and the ability to guide complex projects through all phases of design, documentation, and construction administration.

This is a highly hands-on role requiring an individual who operates at a detailed, execution-focused level alongside project leadership, partnering closely with the Executive Vice President of Construction and internal teams to advance design documentation, manage consultant contracts, and drive day-to-day project delivery.

They will select and directly contract with Architects of Record and consultants, maintaining full control over performance and accountability. The role includes leading coordination across all disciplines, enforcing schedule and budget alignment, and proactively addressing coordination and financial risks. A strong QA/QC framework is essential, ensuring consistency, constructability, and alignment across all phases of design.

This position requires a strategic thinker who can balance creative vision with technical rigor, lead top-tier design partners, and collaborate closely with development and construction teams to deliver world-class projects. The Senior Design Manager will report to the Executive Vice President of Construction, in close collaboration with the Executive Vice President of Development.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Leadership & Oversight

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to design and consultant teams for all phases of large-scale mixed-use master plan projects.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and design excellence.
• Liaise between development, construction, and design teams to align design intent with project goals.
• Represent Related Ross in high-level coordination with architects and other leading design firms.

Design Process & Quality Control

• Lead Related Ross design management standards, processes, and quality controls from concept through construction documentation and project delivery.
• Coordinate design deliverables in alignment with entitlement, permitting, and construction schedules.
• Oversee all aspects of design documentation, construction administration, and design completion.

Consultant & Contract Management

• Prepare and negotiate consultant RFPs, contracts, and fee proposals in collaboration with legal, construction and development teams.
• Lead selection, negotiation, and management of architecture, engineering, and specialty consultant agreements in conjunction with development and construction.
• Track consultant payment progress, invoices, and deliverables; manage changes in scope or budget as required.

Design & Technical Coordination

• Review and coordinate on consultant deliverables, ensuring alignment among architectural, structural, MEP, and systems designs.
• In collaboration with construction, oversee the selection and integration of building systems (foundation, structure, envelope, MEP, technology) to achieve performance and design objectives.
• Ensure all construction documentation is 100% coordinated, complete, and accurate before issuance to the construction team.
• Collaborate closely with construction partners on cost estimating, constructability, and value engineering, as required.

Project & Stakeholder Management

• Partner with the development and construction teams to align design with programmatic, financial, and operational goals.
• Collaborate with operations, marketing, and leasing teams to ensure project designs meet business objectives.
• Manage and maintain design schedules in coordination with the master project schedule.
• Coordinate internal and external design reviews and secure approvals from key stakeholders to meet the schedule objectives.
• Record, track, and communicate action items from all design and coordination meetings.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree required, in Architecture preferably.
• 12-15+ years of experience in mixed-use, office and/or retail design and project management.
• Proven experience managing large-scale placemaking projects.
• Experience working with high-profile architecture firms and overseeing design documentation and construction administration.
• Strong understanding of building codes, zoning, accessibility, and permitting processes.
• Florida market experience preferred but not required.
• Skilled in AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, SketchUp, and other industry-standard tools.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Strategic thinker with hands-on, detail-oriented management style aligned with Related Ross’s collaborative culture.

Benefits

• Personalized Health Care: Multiple medical, dental, and vision plan options; Employee Assistance Program
• Financial Benefits: Competitive salary and incentive packages; matching 401(k); FSAs and HSA; employer-paid life and AD&D insurance; paid leave & disability programs
• Social Wellness: 19+ days of PTO; mental health counseling & resources; fertility, surrogacy, and adoption assistance; volunteer days and donation matching
• Career Development: Learning & training programs; tuition & certification reimbursement; internal advancement opportunities

Related Ross is transforming urban life in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County, creating opportunity for all who live and work here. For over two decades, the company has worked to develop dynamic neighborhoods that are innovative, vibrant and inclusive. With completed, in development and planned properties in West Palm Beach and new development activity emerging in Palm Beach County, Related Ross is making long-term investments to transform and support local communities and build growth in the region.

Related Ross is a West Palm Beach-based organization that recently emerged as an independent entity from within Related Companies. Formed in 1972, Related Companies is the most prominent privately-owned real estate firm in the United States with major developments within a premier portfolio valued over $70 billion across Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, LA, Washington DC and London.

Related Ross believes in investing in its talent and cultivates a positive, team-oriented environment where every voice is valued. Employees are encouraged to boldly take on new challenges, transcend the status quo, and demonstrate a strong entrepreneurial spirit. In its relentless commitment to excellence, Related Ross works to foster an innovative approach in its team members so that they can positively impact the communities in which they conduct business.

Learn more about Related Ross at https://www.relatedross.com/.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are deliberate about the team and culture we are building. We aim to ensure competitive total compensation that is commensurate with experience, workplace geography, and market standards.

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