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Design Manager 1

JE Dunn Construction

Listing collected from JE Dunn Construction's career site. NextChapter is independent of JE Dunn Construction.

Kansas City, MO · Posted November 3, 2026

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Skills this job asks for

Say which you have and which you want to build. We use it to match you to jobs like this one.

  • Lean
  • Due diligence
  • Autocad
  • Revit
  • Mep

About the job

Best People + Right Culture. These are the driving forces behind JE Dunn’s success.

By hiring inspired people, giving them interesting and challenging work, enabling them with innovative tools, and letting them share in the company’s rewards, we’ve found a sustainable way to grow in our industry for the last 100+ years.

Our diverse teams around the country strive to enrich lives through inspired people and places everyday, and we need inspired people like you to join us in building authentic partnerships.

Role Summary

The Design Manager 1 is responsible for successful delivery of projects by organizing the design teams, trade partners, process, and technology when projects utilize design-build, design assist or other alternate delivery methods. This position requires proactive management of the design process with all parties ensuring coordinated documents that support the project goals. All activities will be performed in support of the strategy, vision and values of JE Dunn.

Autonomy & Decision Making: Makes decisions within defined limits of authority and consults supervisor on other decisions.

Career Path: Design Manager 2

Key Role Responsibilities - Core

DESIGN MANAGEMENT FAMILY – CORE

Interprets formal design build RFPs and develops work plans, collaborating with preconstruction, operations, and other key stakeholders.

Understands potential client’s business needs and helps create conceptual plans, elevations, 3D models, for support of presentations and win strategies.

Reviews and understands bridging documents for project compliance with RFP including comprehension of Codes and Criteria to meet the technical requirements and design deliverables.

Supports early phase basic due diligence activities with clients and key stakeholders to ensure professional studies, jurisdictional & permitting requirements are incorporated into design documents.

Manages outside design consultants, assuring they meet the technical requirements as well as schedule requirements for design deliverables.

Manages the design review process with design team and clients to ensure schedules are met and identifies project risks and opportunities throughout the design phase.

Leverages design experiences and knowledge to work with project teams identifying solutions to project specific challenges while monitoring expectations for design schedules, quality control, and content for design document delivery.

Generates cost savings and value-added solutions during design phase.

Monitors and controls our design partner’s and consultant’s cost.

Reviews design and provides quality control review comments to ensure the program specifications and life-safety requirements are met.

Coordinates the design document packaging strategies with the project team.

Manages project documentation such as proposal, drawings, specifications, reports, calculations, and shop drawings using both 3D and 2D file management system.

Capable of developing sketches and plans to assist preconstruction with pricing of conceptual ideas. Coordinates with VDC team to develop and implement project(s) as needed.

Provides technical design guidance throughout entire construction process.

Provides design engineering support for the entire life cycle of the project (proposal, site survey, engineering, equipment selection, permitting, training, and construction).

Understands project budget and steers project accordingly ensuring the design stays in line with contractual details.

Key Role Responsibilities - Additional Core

N/A

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Ability to perform work accurately and completely, and in a timely manner

Communication skills, verbal and written – Intermediate

Ability to conduct effective presentations

Proficiency in MS Office – Intermediate

Thorough knowledge of project processes and how each supports the successful completion of a project

Ability to build relationships and collaborate within a team, internally and externally

Ability to apply Lean process and philosophy – Intermediate

Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit and/or Google SketchUp

Experience with U.S. building design codes and material specific standards

Conversant with linked design disciplines, e.g. Geotechnical/Civil, Architecture, Building Façade, Structural, MEP, Data/Communications, Vertical Transportation, Acoustics, and Fire and Life Safety, etc.

Ability to think in a highly structured manner along all design disciplines while also having creativity to develop specialized solutions by anticipating potential challenges

Ability to manage budget and schedule, maximize profitability and generate future work through building relationships

Ability to build relationships with team members that transcend a project

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, or related field (Preferred)

In lieu of the above requirements, equivalent relevant experience will be considered

Experience

5+ years design and/or construction management experience (Preferred)

Cross-functional knowledge of the key engineering disciplines (Architectural, Structural, MEP) and relevant trades

Working Environment

Valid and unrestricted drivers license required

Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds

May require extensive periods of travel

Must be willing to work non-traditional hours to meet project needs

May be exposed to extreme conditions (hot or cold)

Assignment location may include project sites and/or in the office

Frequent activity: Sitting, Viewing Computer Screen

Occasional activity: Standing, Walking, Bending, Climbing, Reaching above Shoulder, Pushing, Pulling

Benefits Information

The benefits package aligned to this position is Professional Non-Union. Please click the link below for more details.

Click here for benefits details.

This role is expected to accept applications for at least three business days and may continue to be posted until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.

JE Dunn Construction is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected category. JE Dunn Construction is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

JE Dunn provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a job, please submit your request to accommodations@jedunn.com

JE Dunn Construction Company does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of JE Dunn Construction without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of JE Dunn Construction Company. Please, no phone calls or emails.

***For this opportunity, JE Dunn Construction will not sponsor an applicant for work visa status or employment authorization, nor will we offer any immigration-related support for this position (including but not limited to H-1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN-1 or TN-2, E-3, O-1, or future sponsorship for U.S. lawful permanent residence status.)***