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Design Manager Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Design Supervisor

Anoka, MN · On-site

$62K - $116K/yr

Manage day-to-day operations of the CAD department, ensuring smooth workflow and timely project completion. YOU HAVE: * Associate or Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience. * Ideally 8+ years of ...

Design Supervisor

Anoka, MN · On-site

$62K - $116K/yr

Manage day-to-day operations of the CAD department, ensuring smooth workflow and timely project completion. YOU HAVE: * Associate or Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience. * Ideally 8+ years of ...

Delivering an exceptional Design and Quote across all customer needs for assigned customers, working with Regional Sales Manager, Customer Experience and Product Design & Quote staff and other ...

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Showing results 1-20

Design Manager information

See Minnesota salary details

$41.1K

$112.1K

$197.4K

How much do design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for design manager in Minnesota is $112,134.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,800.00 and $141,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Design Manager in Construction Do?

A design manager oversees a design team during a project and typically works in the construction and architecture industries. As a design manager, you may work for specialty companies that contract out to construction firms on a per-project basis. Or, you may spend your career working as an in-house design manager for a construction company or architect firm. Regardless of the location of your job as a design manager, your duties revolve around supervising the design of a building project and include adhering to legislation and codes, eliminating safety and financial risks, and advising clients during development.

How does a Design Manager typically balance creative vision with project deadlines and client expectations?

A Design Manager is responsible for guiding their team's creative direction while ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. This often means carefully prioritizing tasks, setting clear milestones, and communicating regularly with clients and stakeholders to manage expectations. They serve as a bridge between creative teams and project managers, helping to resolve conflicts and maintain a productive workflow. By fostering open collaboration and providing constructive feedback, Design Managers help ensure both the creative vision and practical project requirements are met.

What are Design Managers?

Design Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing the design process within a project or organization. They coordinate and lead design teams, ensure design objectives align with business goals, and manage timelines, budgets, and resources. Design Managers often act as a bridge between creative teams and other departments, facilitating communication and ensuring that the final product meets both aesthetic and functional requirements. Their role can span across industries such as architecture, graphic design, product design, and digital media.

What is the difference between Design Manager vs Graphic Designer?

AspectDesign ManagerGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in design, management experienceBachelor's degree in graphic design or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads design teams, oversees projectsCreates visual content, works independently or in teams
Industry UsageUsed in corporate, agency, and studio settingsCommon in advertising, publishing, branding

The main difference between a Design Manager and a Graphic Designer lies in their responsibilities and scope. Design Managers oversee design teams and strategic project planning, while Graphic Designers focus on creating visual content. Both roles require relevant design credentials, but Design Managers also need leadership experience. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Design Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Manager, you need a strong background in design principles, project management, and leadership, typically supported by a degree in design or a related field and several years of design experience. Familiarity with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and project management tools like Asana or Trello is essential. Exceptional communication, team leadership, and problem-solving skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively leading creative teams, delivering high-quality design outcomes, and meeting client or organizational goals.
What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in Minnesota? The most popular types of Design jobs in Minnesota are:
What are popular job titles related to Design Manager jobs in Minnesota? For Design Manager jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Design Manager jobs in Minnesota look for? The top searched job categories for Design Manager jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Design Manager jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Design Manager job openings:
Energy Storage - Design Phase Manager, Preconstruction

Energy Storage - Design Phase Manager, Preconstruction

Mortenson

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Mortenson rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

SUMMARY:

Mortenson is currently seeking a Design Phase Manager to join our Energy Storage Group with the ability to interact with a variety of staff at all levels in an ever-changing environment, remaining flexible, resourceful, proactive, and efficient with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality. The Design Phase Manager must will partner with Construction Executives to provide dedicated design phase (preconstruction) services to project owners. Strong communication skills are necessary as you will coordinate with staff at all levels in an ever-changing environment. Your ability to remain flexible, inventive, dedicated, and efficient with a high level of integrity and confidentiality is vital to your success in this role.

Hiring Locations: Minneapolis MN, Denver CO, San Antonio TX

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Lead team members in resourcefulness, self-starting work habits, problem solving based on information and good judgement
  • Responsible for the mentoring, management, and timely performance evaluation of Design Phase Managers
  • Act as primary point of contact with owners, architects, engineers, and trade partners during the design phase
  • Learn and understand owner's project needs, goals, and requirements
  • Promote and facilitate open communication and issue resolution between team members
  • Define and track critical success factors to be incorporated into the PES process
  • Track and handle change management decisions with owners and trade partners

Lead the design development

  • Translate the owner's vision into a constructible design solution within the overall project scope, budget, and schedule
  • Provide direction and input on preferred construction means, methods, and materials for incorporation into the construction documents
  • Provide input which supports overall project constructability and logistics
  • Obtain, review, and coordinate information from design assist trade partners
  • Incorporate trade partner recommendations and preferences into design documents where appropriate
  • Lead the estimating team in translating the design solution into technical and financial cost documentation
  • Includes preparation of value engineering, budget, and life cycle cost estimates
  • Lead the design phase team in making critical project decisions at the right time to maintain the design schedule, and developing and accepting solutions to design issues that support the project scope, budget, schedule, and goals
  • Coordinate the efforts of multiple design entities contracted with Mortenson
  • Coordinate, review, and submit design documents to the owner
  • Develops, identifies, and coordinates initial project VDC requirements

Acquire services of consultants and trade partners

  • Procure critical scopes of work early in the project
  • Develop and implement a buyout plan that transfers design and construction risk to trade partners at the appropriate time
  • Supervise budget and make recommendations for trade partner selections with the design team, keeping within project schedule and budget parameters
  • Solicit, select, and contract with designers for design-build projects

Assist on-site project teams

  • Obtain input from the team to support a single project vision between Mortenson's design and on-site project teams
  • Assure applicable permits are in place to begin construction
  • Utilize Mortenson standard financial and project management control procedures to ensure a smooth transition to on-site project management activities
  • Initiate, facilitate, and lead early meetings between trade partners related to project coordination if requested by on-site project team
  • Develop and run preliminary on-site logistics and utilization plans until on-site project team is assigned to project

Other duties as assigned, including:

  • Act as the Project Manager until a full-time project manager is identified
  • Provide mentorship to employees encouraging development and growth
  • Provide design solution input to business development and estimating departments as requested

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in Construction Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Estimating, or equivalent field 
  • Fulfill development responsibilities for complex battery storage projects
  • Detail orientation sufficient to organize and handle multiple project tasks
  • Risk management skills
  • Microsoft Office, project, and pertinent web application skills at an intermediate level
  • Positive professional attitude, and strong customer service skills
  • Interpret and communicate Mortenson policies effectively
  • Resolve cross-cultural conflict in a culturally appropriate manner
  • Open to change based on diverse input and feedback
  • Effectively work with those of diverse backgrounds and organizational levels
  • Adaptive, effective communication and active listening skills
  • Knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and inclusive behaviors
  • Strong cross-cultural relationship building and influencing at all organizational levels
  • Track record of including diverse team members when assigning challenging and high-profile tasks
  • Detailed understanding of the fundamentals of construction and building design
  • Minimum 10 years of related field experience

A few benefits offered include: 

(for Non-Craft & Non-Union Craft working 25+ hours / week) 

  • Medical and prescription drug plans that includes no additional cost vision coverage 
  • Dental plan 
  • 401k retirement plan with a generous Mortenson match  
  • Paid time off, holidays, and other paid leaves 
  • Employer paid Life, AD&D, and disability insurance 
  • No-Cost mental health tool and conciergewith extensive work-life resources 
  • Tuition reimbursement 
  • Adoption Assistance 
  • Gym Membership Discount Program 

The base compensation range for this role is: $110,700 - $166,100 (Actual range is higher for the following office locations:  Denver, CO and Chicago, IL - 5%, Seattle, WA and Portland, OR - 10%, Washington, D.C. - 12.5%)  

Base pay is positioned within the range based on several factors including an individual's knowledge, skill, and experience with consideration given to internal equity.   

Please make note:  

  • Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.  
  • Our postings are typically open a minimum of 5 days and an average of 44 days. 

ABOUT MORTENSON 

As a top builder, developer, and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), our expertise spans markets like sports, renewable energy, data centers, healthcare, and more. We are builders at heart, working to ensure the built environment has a lasting positive impact. 

Let's Redefine Possible 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Your uniqueness brings new and creative perspectives to the team. Mortenson is committed to providing equal opportunities of employment (EOE) to all individuals, regardless of your race, religion, gender, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status or any other legally protected category. 

Other Items to Note 

  • Mortenson reserves the right to hire any individual without legal or financial obligation on unwanted solicitations.No agency emails, calls, or solicitations are accepted without a valid agreement. 
  • Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status, 0-1, TN, CPT, OPT, etc.). We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. 

#LI-LB1 #LI-hybrid

#IND-GNL


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About M. A. Mortenson

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M. A. Mortenson is a prominent name in the construction industry, based out of Minneapolis, MN, US. Established in 1954 by M.A. Mortenson Sr., the company has over six decades of experience offering construction services that have contributed to building lasting infrastructures across various sectors, including healthcare, energy, corporate, and sports. Mortenson has proven its exceptional expertise through a range of complex building and facility projects across the US fulfilling the customer's specifications and exceeding their expectations. Moreover, the company's core values are outlined as ‘Do the Right Thing’, ‘We Before I’, ‘Inspire What’s Possible’, and ‘In it for the long haul’.

Industry

Manufacturing and construction

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Minneapolis, MN, US

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