Your Role
As a Design Manager at Gensler, you will join a dynamic, innovative team dedicated to impactful, design-forward healthcare projects. In this role, you will oversee all phases of healthcare architecture and interior design projects, from initial project setup through design, construction, and post-occupancy. Your expertise in project management, team leadership, and client communication will be crucial for delivering innovative, sustainable, and high-performance healthcare facilities. Our work not only shapes the built environment but also enhances the quality of life for the communities we serve. If you are passionate about healthcare design, sustainability, and leading high-performing teams, this position offers the chance to work on cutting-edge healthcare projects across the region while contributing to a collaborative, creative, and client-focused team.
What You Will Do
- Act as the primary design manager for healthcare projects, leading all phases from concept through construction administration, ensuring the design process flows smoothly and stays on track with budgets and schedules.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, building and maintaining long-term relationships and ensuring their needs are met throughout the project lifecycle.
- Lead, mentor, and manage design teams, fostering collaboration and professional growth. Work closely with design directors, technical directors, and project team members to define clear objectives and work plans for successful project delivery.
- Oversee project scheduling, budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation. Track financial performance and manage project costs to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery.
- Drive the integration of sustainable design practices into all projects, ensuring alignment with the firm’s sustainability goals and providing clients with resilient design solutions that meet functional and environmental objectives.
- Prepare project proposals, negotiate contracts and fees, and manage the bidding process. Ensure that project scope, fees, and timelines are accurately defined and adhered to.
- Coordinate with sub-consultants, vendors, contractors, and building officials, acting as the main point of contact throughout the project.
- Ability to inspire and guide teams while maintaining project alignment with client goals.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to foster strong client relationships and act as the primary point of contact for key stakeholders.
- Strong leadership abilities with a focus on team collaboration, communication, and performance management.
- Support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on projects and within the firm’s culture.
Your Qualifications
- 15+ years of related experience in healthcare architecture, including at least 5 years of experience managing healthcare projects and teams.
- Proven track record leading projects from start to finish across various healthcare sectors (e.g., medical centers, outpatient clinics, surgery centers, hospitals).
- Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field.
- Licensed architect (preferred) and/or NCIDQ certification.
- Extensive experience in managing healthcare facilities, including OSHPD I and OSHPD III projects.
- Strong knowledge of healthcare-specific design guidelines, building codes, and regulations.
- Proficient in project management software (e.g., MS Office, Bluebeam Revu, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, and AutoCAD).
- Knowledge of sustainable design strategies and experience with high-performance building systems is a plus.
- A commitment to sustainable building practices, with experience delivering projects that integrate environmental responsibility and operational efficiency.
- Strong network within the local healthcare community with established positive references.
This is not a hybrid or remote position. If you’re open to relocating to the Nashville, Tennessee area, please apply! Non-local candidates are welcome. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 study ranks Nashville in the top three places to live in Tennessee!!
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 Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets. As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.
At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to solve complex problems for our clients. Our work challenges conventional ideas about architecture and the built environment. We aren’t just designing buildings — we are reimagining cities and places that make a difference in people’s lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year. Everything we do is guided by our mission: to create a better world through the power of design.