Design Manager - Life Sciences

Location: Houston, TX, US

Time Type: Full time

Posted on: Posted 4 Days Ago

Job Requisition ID: R-13816

Your Role

Gensler’s Houston office is seeking a Design Manager to join our Life Sciences team of design thinkers and doers who specialize in helping to tell stories and create experiences in the context of science and technology spaces. You will understand science “from the inside” and believe that the planning and design of science environments can make a difference.

As a Design Manager, you will manage and lead project teams in the Sciences Practice Area, with direct accountability for project delivery. You will also be the point of contact for client relationships and leadership on multiple projects. If you enjoy utilizing your technical Life Sciences expertise to solve complex problems and create effective and well-designed environments for science, then this role is for you.

For more information about our Science Facilities practice, visit us here.

What You Will Do

• Participate in the growth of Gensler’s Life Sciences Practice Area through industry, marketing, and business development activities.
• Network in the industry to identify and pursue project opportunities in the Sciences market.
• Provide leadership to clients and teams by communicating and coordinating project objectives, contract scope, terms, and schedule.
• Work directly with clients, scientists, researchers, and related end-users and Gensler team to develop laboratory planning strategies at all levels of detail, including new construction and renovations.
• Oversee innovative design strategies on multiple projects as well as client, team, and project coordination.
• Provide Subject Matter leadership on design and construction strategies for architectural and engineering systems on life science projects with an ability to lead project teams through the decision-making process to deliver high value, safe, responsive, sustainable, flexible, and robust facilities.
• Prepare project proposals and negotiate contracts and fees.
• Assist in developing project scope, plan, and services during the contract process.
• Manage scheduling, budgets, staffing, and project set-up with clients, sub-consultants, vendors, and contractors.
• Assist with the process of bidding projects to multiple general contractors.
• Offer and support creative, sustainability-focused laboratory planning, technical design, and detailing decisions that are in line with project goals, yet pushing the envelope beyond traditional approaches to lab design.
• Provide technical lab documentation oversight and quality control (QC) reviews.

Your Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in Architecture inclusive of 5+ years’ experience focused on science facilities such as: biology, cell/gene therapy, chemistry, academic research, teaching (science), pharmaceutical, cGMP process manufacturing, public health, clinical, vivarium, and/or bio-containment.
• Significant experience with programming, planning, design, and construction phases on science projects including laboratory research facilities with related workplace environments.
• Knowledge of laboratory planning, design, construction documents, construction administration, and project construction cost monitoring for lab facilities.
• Experience leading programming and planning for science facilities with end-users is a plus.
• Current participation with community, industry, and professional science organizations is a plus.
• Relationships with decision-makers in academic, institutional, and/or corporate end-user science organizations is a plus.
• Experience negotiating project scope, fees, managing project financial performance, and ensuring fiscal responsibility for projects.
• Experience with the full project lifecycle, from programming through post-occupancy.
• Experience with Collaborative / Integrated Project Delivery and Lean Delivery methods.
• Knowledge of building codes, standards, and building structures.
• Experience with project management software, such as MS Project, a plus.
• Working knowledge of Virtual Design and Construction.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture or related field.
• Professional license or certification required; LEED accreditation preferred.
• Excellent communication skills.

To Be Considered

PLEASE SUBMIT A CURRENT PORTFOLIO AND/OR WORK SAMPLES IN PDF FORMAT.

This is not a hybrid or remote position. If you’re open to relocating to the Houston, Texas area, please apply! Non-local candidates are welcome. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 study ranks Houston in the top 10 places to live in Texas!

Life at Gensler

Gensler is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Through our Five Strategies to Fight Racism, we continue to create a just and equitable future for our colleagues and our communities with our clients. We are a solid voice for social change as we impact people’s lives and fight racism. At Gensler, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace environment.

As a people-first organization, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at G