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Senior Design Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Ecruit

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$200K - $212K/yr

Senior Design Manager- $200,000 - $212,000 + Benefits- Los Angeles, CA The Role Are you an experienced design leader with a strong background in managing complex capital projects from concept through ...

Cordoba Corporation

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$185K - $205K/yr

The Senior Design Manager leads and oversees all design activities for the School Upgrade Program and critical repair projects, serving as the department's primary design authority. This role plans ...

Inaba Foods USA Inc

Senior Design Manager

Torrance, CA · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Senior Design Manager Location: Torrance, CA (on-site) Reports to: Senior Marketing Manager Pay: $90K - $115K / year Position Summary Inaba Foods (USA) Inc. is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead ...

Inaba Foods USA Inc

Senior Design Manager

Torrance, CA · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Senior Design Manager Location: Torrance, CA (on-site) Reports to: Senior Marketing Manager Pay: $90K - $115K / year Position Summary Inaba Foods (USA) Inc. is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead ...

STRUCTION SOLUTIONS

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Struction Solutions is seeking a Senior Design Manager to leaddesign activities for the School Upgrade Program and critical repair projects.This role ensures compliance with LAUSD standards while ...

MAAS Companies

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA

$191K - $210K/yr

As Senior Design Manager, you are the lead design professional in the Design Department, planning, organizing, and directing design activities for the upgrade program and critical repair projects ...

STV Incorporated

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160K - $183K/yr

STV is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to join our Construction Management group in Los Angeles. This leadership role is responsible for managing the planning, design, and coordination ...

STV

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160K - $183K/yr

STV is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to join our Construction Management group in Los Angeles. This leadership role is responsible for managing the planning, design, and coordination ...

MAAS Companies

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$191K - $210K/yr

As Senior Design Manager, you are the lead design professional in the Design Department, planning, organizing, and directing design activities for the upgrade program and critical repair projects ...

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Senior Design Manager information

See California salary details

$66.6K

$142.7K

$195.8K

How much do senior design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior design manager in California is $142,663.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,830.00 and $167,448.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Design Manager vs Design Director?

AspectSenior Design ManagerDesign Director
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Design, Architecture, or related field; experience in project managementSimilar educational background; often more extensive experience and leadership credentials
Work EnvironmentLeads design teams on multiple projects, collaborates with clients and stakeholdersOversees entire design departments, sets strategic vision, and manages senior teams
Industry UsageCommonly used in architecture, product, and interior design firmsTypically found in larger organizations with broader strategic responsibilities

The main difference between a Senior Design Manager and a Design Director lies in scope and strategic influence. Senior Design Managers focus on managing design teams and project execution, while Design Directors oversee overall design strategy and department leadership, often with higher-level responsibilities.

How does a Senior Design Manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

As a Senior Design Manager, you will work closely with product managers, engineers, marketing, and other stakeholders throughout the design process. Effective collaboration involves facilitating design reviews, ensuring alignment between business objectives and creative direction, and proactively seeking feedback from multiple departments. You’ll often act as a bridge between the design team and other functions, translating technical or business requirements into actionable design solutions. This collaborative dynamic is essential for delivering cohesive, user-centered products and achieving shared project goals.

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

To thrive as a Senior Design Manager, you need advanced design expertise, leadership experience, and a strong portfolio, often supported by a degree in design or a related field. Familiarity with design tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and project management platforms such as Asana or Jira is typically required. Exceptional communication, team leadership, and stakeholder management skills set top performers apart. These abilities are crucial for delivering high-quality design solutions, leading creative teams, and aligning design objectives with business goals.

What are Senior Design Managers?

Senior Design Managers are experienced professionals who lead and oversee design teams within an organization. They are responsible for setting design strategies, managing multiple projects, mentoring designers, and ensuring that design outputs align with business objectives. Senior Design Managers collaborate with stakeholders across departments, drive innovation, and maintain high-quality standards in all design processes. Their role is crucial in bridging creative vision with practical execution, ensuring that projects meet both user needs and business goals.
What are popular job titles related to Senior Design Manager jobs in California? For Senior Design Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Design Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Design Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Senior Design Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Senior Design Manager job openings:
Senior Design Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Design Manager job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $142,663 per year, or $68.6 per hour.

Senior Design Manager

PADCOM Design and Construction Management

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

PADCOM is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to support the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Facilities Services Division – Asset Management. This leadership role is responsible for directing design activities for major capital improvement, modernization, and critical repair projects while ensuring compliance with District standards, Division of the State Architect (DSA) requirements, budgets, schedules, and educational program objectives.


Position Summary

The Senior Design Manager serves as the district's lead design professional, managing multiple capital projects from concept through design completion and transition into construction. This position oversees consultant performance, design quality, architectural firm selection, design reviews, stakeholder coordination, and regulatory compliance while providing technical leadership to support successful delivery of LAUSD's Capital Improvement Program.


Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership

  • Plan, organize, and direct design activities for school modernization, upgrade, and critical repair projects.
  • Serve as the lead design professional responsible for design quality and implementation of District design policies.
  • Coordinate with the Division of the State Architect (DSA) throughout project development.
  • Provide technical leadership and design guidance across multiple concurrent projects.

Design Management

  • Manage projects from planning and conceptual design through final design approval and handoff to Project Execution.
  • Coordinate activities with architects, consultants, engineers, District staff, and stakeholders.
  • Ensure projects satisfy educational, operational, environmental, legal, budgetary, and functional requirements.
  • Review design modifications to maintain scope, schedule, and budget objectives.

Consultant Management

  • Lead the architectural firm selection process using District pre-qualified consultant lists.
  • Provide clear direction regarding project scope, design standards, schedules, budgets, and performance expectations.
  • Evaluate consultant performance throughout project delivery.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

  • Implement comprehensive design review processes to maximize project value.
  • Ensure compliance with LAUSD standards, DSA requirements, applicable building codes, and educational facility guidelines.
  • Maintain complete project documentation that satisfies legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Coordinate with Environmental Health & Safety, A/E Design Services, Maintenance & Operations, School Occupancy, Asbestos Technical Unit, and Local Districts.

Stakeholder & Community Coordination

  • Participate in community outreach efforts supporting District building programs.
  • Coordinate with District leadership and project stakeholders.
  • Facilitate timely design decisions and issue resolution.
  • Develop continuing education opportunities related to design, construction, and industry best practices.


Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in architecture or engineering.
  • Minimum 15 years of professional experience managing facility design or capital improvement projects involving:
  • Design management
  • Capital planning
  • Contract administration
  • Cost estimating
  • Project scheduling
  • Minimum 5 years managing the design, planning, and construction of K-12 educational facilities.
  • Current California Registered Architect license or California Professional Engineer (PE) license.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree in architecture or engineering.
  • Extensive experience with Division of the State Architect (DSA) processes.
  • Experience leading large educational capital improvement programs.
  • Experience managing multiple architectural consulting firms.
  • Strong knowledge of educational facility planning and design standards.
  • Experience with community outreach and stakeholder engagement.
  • Familiarity with sustainable design and modernization programs.


Software Skills

  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Project
  • Bluebeam Revu
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • AutoCAD (Preferred)
  • Revit (Preferred)
  • Project Management Information Systems (PMIS)


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