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Senior Design Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$178K - $183K/yr

The Tsui Group is seeking a candidate who is qualified and experienced in educational facility construction projects to serve as a Senior Design Manager for a large educational client within Los ...

The Tsui Group is seeking a candidate who is qualified and experienced in educational facility construction projects to serve as a Senior Design Manager for a large educational client within Los ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$178K - $183K/yr

The Tsui Group is seeking a candidate who is qualified and experienced in educational facility construction projects to serve as a Senior Design Manager for a large educational client within Los ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150K - $160K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Design Manager to support our Facilities Sector. The ideal candidate will lead and oversee design activities for the School Upgrade Program and critical repair projects ...

Our firm is currently looking for a dedicated Senior Design Manager with experience in educational facility project types. The position will be located in downtown Los Angeles, CA and will be ...

STV is currently looking for a Senior Design Manager to join our Buildings team in our Los Angeles, CA location. About STV STV is a nationally recognized leader in architecture, engineering, planning ...

Senior Design Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$161K - $215K/yr

This Design Manager role sits at the intersection of craft and culture: someone who brings the structural rigor and quality standards forged at scale, and the scrappy, high-ownership execution that ...

Showing results 21-40

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 Aug 7, 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.

How much does a senior design manager make?

A senior design manager typically earns between $100,000 and $160,000 annually, depending on industry, location, and experience. They often oversee design teams, require strong leadership skills, and may have expertise in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite or CAD software.

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.

Is a senior design manager a stressful job?

A senior design manager role can be stressful due to responsibilities such as overseeing design teams, managing project deadlines, and coordinating with other departments. The level of stress often depends on workload, company culture, and project complexity, but strong leadership and time management skills can help mitigate it.

What is a senior design manager?

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 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:
Infographic showing various Senior Design Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $142,663 per year, or $68.6 per hour.

Senior Design Manager

The Tsui Group

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$178K - $183K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

The Tsui Group is seeking a candidate who is qualified and experienced in educational facility construction projects to serve as a Senior Design Manager for a large educational client within Los Angeles County with the below duties:

  • Plans, organizes, and directs the design activities for the School Upgrade Program and critical repair projects. Functions as the lead design professional in the Design Department providing quality review, implementation of policy and procedures and interface and coordinates with the Division of State Architects (DSA)
  • Manages, develops, and coordinates the District’s design process for the Facilities Planning and Development Division to ensure that plans are within functional program, budgetary, environmental and legal requirements
  • Manages multiple projects through interaction with Architects, consultants, and District personnel from project conception, through draft to final review, approval, and handoff to Project Execution
  • Oversees the building design process to ensure compliance with standards and guidelines for the District by working with design professionals and various District administrators to ensure that new and modernized structures meet both educational and building standards requirements
  • Establishes and follows a process to identify and select the architectural firm best suited for each project based on the firms’ qualifications and ability to meet performance standards
  • Provides Architects with clear and consistent direction with regard to goals and objectives, standards, site, schedule, and budget for each project
  • Establishes and follows an effective and efficient design review process to ensure that the design meets the overall goals and objectives for the project, provides maximum value for dollars budgeted, and are appropriate and enduring to meet the functional needs of the District, the local community, and the environment
  • Ensures that decisions are made in a timely manner
  • Ensures that all steps within the project are documented and that the documentation meets legal requirements
  • Reviews design changes submitted to ensure project remains within budget
  • Recommends architectural firm assignment from an established list of pre-qualified architectural firms
  • Participates in community relations and outreach programs to create understanding and acceptance of District building projects design within the community
  • Coordinates with a host of professional staff who support the design function for the District
  • Develops continuing education opportunities, i.e., seminars and workshops, to learn and share-up-to-date information on working with architects and contractors
  • Coordinates project activities with other District organizational branches and departments such as the Office of the Environmental Health and Safety, A/E Design Services, Maintenance and Operations, School Occupancy Transitional Unit, Asbestos Technical Unit and Local Districts
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

Required Experience:

  • Minimum 15 years full time paid professional experience managing the facilities design, or the planning and coordination of capital projects that includes the overall design, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling activities
  • 5 years of this experience must be with the design, planning and construction of educational facilities

Required Education:

  • Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Engineering
  • Master's degree in architecture or engineering is preferred

Preferred Licenses and Certificates:

  • A valid Certificate of Registration as an Architect by the California State Architectural Board or Professional Engineer by the State Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors

Benefits

  • Salary Range: $178,000-$183,000
  • Medical, Vision, & Dental – 100% covered for the employee*
  • Life and Disability Insurance
  • 10.5 days of Vacation pay (Accrued)
  • 6 days of Sick pay (Available Immediately)
  • 13 days of Holiday pay
  • 3% Employer Contribution 401k (After 1 year of service)
  • Monthly Stipend for Cell Phone
  • Laptop for work purposes