JLL supports the Whole You, personally and professionally.
Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology to our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people in our industry; and we support them through professional growth, flexibility, and personalized benefits to manage life in and outside of work. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades, and technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, we empower you to shape a brighter way forward so you can thrive professionally and personally.
Design Manager - Large-Scale Greenfield Projects
Position Overview
We are seeking an accomplished Design Manager to lead the design development and coordination of major greenfield development projects from concept through construction completion. This strategic role requires a seasoned professional who can orchestrate multidisciplinary design teams, manage complex stakeholder requirements, and ensure design excellence while maintaining program schedules and budget constraints. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of delivering large-scale ground-up developments that balance innovation, functionality, and constructability.
Key Responsibilities
Design Leadership & Strategy
Lead the overall design vision and strategy for large-scale greenfield projects, ensuring alignment with client objectives, market positioning, and project feasibility. Establish design standards, quality benchmarks, and performance criteria from project inception through handover. Direct the development of concept designs, schematic designs, design development, and construction documentation phases. Champion design innovation while maintaining practical focus on constructability, cost efficiency, and program delivery.
Multidisciplinary Coordination
Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams including architects, structural engineers, MEP consultants, landscape architects, civil engineers, and specialty consultants. Facilitate integrated design workshops and charrettes to optimize design solutions and resolve conflicts early in the process. Ensure seamless coordination between all design disciplines through rigorous design integration reviews and clash detection protocols. Implement and oversee Building Information Modeling (BIM) coordination processes to achieve fully coordinated construction documentation.
Stakeholder & Client Management
Serve as the primary design interface with clients, end-users, and senior leadership, translating business requirements into actionable design briefs. Present design concepts, progress updates, and technical recommendations to steering committees and executive stakeholders. Manage client expectations through transparent communication regarding design options, trade-offs, and decision impacts. Facilitate design review sessions with planning authorities, regulatory bodies, and approval agencies to secure necessary permits and approvals.
Design Quality & Compliance
Establish and enforce design quality assurance protocols across all project phases and disciplines. Conduct comprehensive design reviews at key milestones to verify compliance with project requirements, codes, standards, and regulatory requirements. Ensure designs meet sustainability targets including LEED, BREEAM, WELL, or other applicable certification requirements. Review and approve consultant deliverables, technical specifications, and construction drawings for accuracy, completeness, and coordination.
Value Engineering & Constructability
Lead value engineering initiatives to optimize design solutions while maintaining project quality and performance objectives. Collaborate with construction management teams to ensure designs are practical, buildable, and aligned with construction methodologies. Facilitate constructability reviews and incorporate contractor feedback to refine designs and mitigate construction risks. Balance design aspirations with budget realities, identifying cost-effective alternatives without compromising project vision.
Design Program & Schedule Management
Develop comprehensive design management plans including scope definition, resource allocation, deliverable schedules, and milestone tracking. Monitor design progress against established timelines, proactively identifying and resolving potential delays. Manage the consultant appointment process, scope changes, and contract variations in coordination with procurement and commercial teams. Coordinate design activities with overall project master schedule to support procurement, enabling works, and construction sequencing.
Risk & Issue Management
Identify, assess, and mitigate design-related risks throughout the project lifecycle. Maintain design risk registers and implement proactive strategies to address potential technical, regulatory, or coordination challenges. Resolve design conflicts and technical issues through systematic problem-solving and stakeholder collaboration. Manage design contingencies and develop backup strategies for critical design decisions.
Required Qualifications
Education & Professional Credentials
Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related technical discipline. Master's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Project Management preferred.. LEED AP, PMP, or equivalent professional certifications advantageous.
Experience Requirements
Minimum 10 -12 years of progressive experience in design management, with at least 8 years focused on large-scale commercial, mixed-use, or institutional projects.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with mega-projects or campus-style developments requiring phased delivery and complex stakeholder coordination. Background in specific building typologies such as commercial office towers, mixed-use developments, healthcare facilities, or hospitality projects. International project experience or work in multiple regulatory jurisdictions. Demonstrated thought leadership through publications, conference presentations, or industry involvement. Experience mentoring junior design professionals and building organizational design capabilities.
If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements below. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!
Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:
JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health.
About JLL –
We’re JLL—a leading professional services and investment management firm specializing in real estate. We have operations in over 80 countries and a workforce of over 102,000 individuals around the world who help real estate owners, occupiers and investors achieve their business ambitions. As a global Fortune 500 company, we also have an inherent responsibility to drive sustainability and corporate social responsibility. That’s why we’re committed to our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world. We’re using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people, and our communities.
Our core values of teamwork, ethics and excellence are also fundamental to everything we do and we’re honored to be recognized with awards for our success by organizations both globally and locally.
Creating a diverse and inclusive culture where we all feel welcomed, valued and empowered to achieve our full potential is important to who we are today and where we’re headed in the future. And we know that unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives help us think bigger, spark innovation and succeed together.
