Senior Design Construction Manager

DLB Associates is a premier engineering and consulting firm specializing in innovative, mission-critical solutions across hyperscale data centers, advanced infrastructure, and high-performance building systems. With over four decades of expertise, we partner with some of the world’s most influential companies to design and optimize environments that demand precision, scalability, and resilience.

Join us and be part of a team where your voice matters, your work makes an impact, and your growth is a shared priority.

Position Title: Senior Design Construction Manager I

Position Location: Location varies by assignment. 75–100% travel across the U.S. unless assigned to an extended project. Must be located near a major US airport.

Job Summary

The Senior Design Construction Manager I (Senior DCMI) is a seasoned professional who provides strategic and technical leadership across all phases of design and construction administration for mission-critical facilities. Acting as the owner’s and/or contractor’s senior representative, this role drives the integration of design intent with construction execution—ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, budget, and performance expectations.

As a senior technical leader, the Senior DCM I translates client and organizational objectives into actionable design and delivery strategies. The position leads large-scale or multi-site programs, proactively resolves complex design and coordination challenges, and ensures consistent application of DLB’s design and quality management framework. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Senior DCM I directs project teams, advises executive stakeholders, and safeguards project outcomes from schematic design through closeout.

The Senior DCMI is self-directed on day-to-day work and receives high level instruction on new projects, tasks or assignments.  Will execute and lead teams and projects, tasks or assignments of complex scope.  May coordinate activities of other personnel.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership & Execution

• Translate DLB and client strategic goals into actionable design and delivery plans that ensure technical excellence and schedule reliability.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams through design development, procurement, and construction administration phases on large or complex projects.
• Serve as the senior advisor on design coordination, constructability, and risk management for mission-critical programs.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level design managers and engineers to strengthen DLB’s design management capabilities.
• Lead lessons-learned reviews and contribute to continuous improvement of DLB’s design and delivery processes.
  
  

Design Leadership & Stakeholder Coordination

• Administer and oversee design partner contracts; chair design management and coordination meetings; ensure issues are resolved with speed and accountability.
• Direct the design progression from schematic design (SD) through as-built documentation, maintaining control of scope, cost, and schedule impacts.
• Provide authoritative review and implementation guidance for design bulletins, RFPs, and technical clarifications.
• Support procurement and supply chain coordination by ensuring submittal requirements and vendor data align with design intent.
• Interface with field teams to verify constructability and system integration alignment prior to release for construction.
  
  

Owner Advocacy & Program Oversight

• Represent the owner’s interests across the design and construction lifecycle, ensuring design and execution decisions meet operational and commercial goals.
• Oversee design-phase budgets, forecasts, and change management processes.
• Manage stakeholder communications and executive updates to maintain transparency and alignment with program priorities.
• Provide early identification of design risks and collaborate with project controls and operations to mitigate potential cost or schedule impacts.
  
  

Construction Administration & Readiness

• Lead the construction administration efforts for design partners, ensuring RFI and submittal responses are coordinated and timely.

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• Verify field conditions align with design intent through periodic site reviews and field engineering oversight.
• Drive quality assurance and documentation closeout, ensuring all design deliverables and as-builts are complete, accurate, and archived.
  
  

Reporting, Communications & Client Engagement

• Produce high-quality reports, executive dashboards, and KPIs to communicate progress, risk, and key decisions.
• Serve as the primary client interface for design and construction integration matters, building and maintaining long-term relationships.
• Support business development initiatives and proposal efforts as a trusted technical representative of DLB’s mission-critical practice.
  
  

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Lead enterprise initiatives to enhance DLB’s design management and delivery frameworks.
• Champion digital collaboration, BIM coordination, and AI-assisted quality tracking to optimize project outcomes.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and standardization across design and field engineering teams.
  
  

Technology, Digital Tools & AI-Enabled Efficiency

• Identify opportunities and lead the strategic use of technology, digital platforms, and AI-enabled tools to enhance efficiency through workflow automation, reduced manual effort, and improved accuracy in forecasting, documentation, reporting, and quality processes.
• Support adoption of emerging technologies - including advanced analytics, data visualization tools, and digital construction management platforms - to strengthen readiness, quality assurance, and project controls.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure technology solutions align with DLB standards for data security, privacy, and operational integrity.
• Promote a culture that embraces innovation, continuous improvement, and the strategic use of technology to optimize performance and scalability.
  
  

Completion of Assigned Tasks and Deliverables on Time and on Budget

Performs Other Related Duties as Assigned

Position Requirements (ADVANCED level for all the following)

• Strong working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and controls systems in mission-critical environments.
• Knowledge of industry trends, project management and construction procedures and best practices.
• Knowledge of materials, methods and the tools involved in the construction of mission critical, commercial buildings or other structures.
• Knowledge of the importance of the Method of Procedure (MOP) process and work notifications.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) policies and procedures, including NFPA 70E, LOTO, and OSHA standards.
• Skilled in clear, concise communication with both technical and non-technical audiences.

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• Skilled in stakeholder management and representing the owner with professionalism when interacting with contractors, designers, and clients.
• Skilled in managing project schedules, enforcing commissioning standards, and coordinating activities across multiple stakeholders.
• Skilled at using construction management software such as Procore.
• Skilled in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
• Skilled at using MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams), along with exceptional organizational skills for file management.
• Ability to leverage AI and emerging technologies to streamline workflows, optimize operational processes, and contribute to company-wide innovation
• Ability to work under pressure and meet close deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with onsite and remote team members.
• Ability to analyze complex information and develop plans to address identified issues.
  
  

Physical Demands

The following physical demands must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is:

• Frequently manipulating small parts/tools
• Frequently required to remain in a stationary position
• Frequently moving through data center and outdoor environments (heat, cold, precipitation), including navigating tight spaces, accessing areas via stairs or ladders, and occasionally working in overhead or under-equipment positions.
• On occasion the employee may move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
  
  

Travel Requirements

• Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to rent vehicles.
• 75–100% travel across the U.S. unless assigned to an extended project (>6 months; typical assignments 9 months–4 years).
• Ability to relocate within 1–3 months if required (when 100% travel isn’t supported).
• Effective May 7, 2025, and in accordance with U.S. federal regulations for domestic air travel, a valid REAL ID (or an acceptable alternative, such as a passport) is required for travel associated with this position.
• Travel is defined as physically leaving home on behalf of business activities including but not limited to client sites, meetings with other employees, meetings for business development purposes, running errands on behalf of the business, attending industry conferences, etc.
• Travel may involve transportation by car or plane depending on the destination and nature of the business needs.
• Relocation assistance available
  
  

CERTIFICATIONS & SAFETY

• Ability to achieve NFPA 70E and/or OSHA training as required; strict adherence to HSE/LOTO policies.
  
  

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Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, or related discipline
  
  

OR

• Two years of hands‑on install/testing/validation/troubleshooting of mechanical, controls, and/or electrical infrastructure
  
  

PLUS

• Minimum of eight years of additional related experience
  
  

Benefits

DLB Associates offers a very competitive benefits package; highlights include

• Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option)
• Flex spending accounts (FSA)
• Dental and vision plans
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26
• 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option
• PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year
• Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage
• Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and professional licensing assistance
• Paid parental leave after one year of employment
  
  

CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC residents only: In accordance with CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC law, the range provided is DLB's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and location.

DLB Associates is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and participates in the E-Verify program with the Department of Homeland Security. We encourage diversity in our workforce.

Are you ready to challenge yourself and redefine standards in the AEC industry? Apply now and join our award-winning team!

Notice To Third Party Agencies

DLB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to DLB in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where DLB has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of DLB and DLB will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.

The Pay Range For This Role Is

120,750 - 144,637.50 USD per year(Buffalo, NY)