Senior Director, Design Management

As a national leader in the construction industry, Suffolk is redefining what it means to design and build. We challenge the status quo every day by gathering the people, innovations, and partnerships that can explore and go after new ways to do our jobs. Our focus on high-performing teams and technology translates to groundbreaking solutions for all industry sectors and phases of building. We provide value throughout the entire project lifecycle by leveraging our core construction management services alongside vertical service lines, an approach that is revolutionizing the industry and making a permanent mark on the world of business. Join us for a thrilling experience that will energize you, challenge you, and propel your career.  

About Suffolk 

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates and invests. Suffolk is an end-to-end business that provides value throughout the entire project lifecycle by leveraging its core construction management services with vertical service lines that include real estate capital investment, design, self-perform construction services, technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies) and innovation research/development. 

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $5.0 billion in annual revenue, 2,600 employees, and main offices in Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Suffolk manages some of the most complex, sophisticated projects in the country, serving clients in every major industry sector, including healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, transportation/aviation, government, mission critical and commercial. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit www.suffolk.com and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. 

The Role 

Suffolk’s vision is to integrate the entire building lifecycle into a seamless platform to redefine how the world builds. A key component of delivering on that vision has been the development of Suffolk Design—an innovative vertical offering fully-integrated design and design management services.  Leveraging Suffolk’s core construction capabilities, technologies, and processes, Suffolk Design aims to reimagine traditional design delivery processes through specialized service offerings, fully integrated with Suffolk’s core construction capabilities.    

As an essential part of Suffolk Design’s growth strategy, the Sr. Director Suffolk Design, Florida East Coast will lead the growth and development of Suffolk Design in the Florida East Coast Region and will be responsible for Technical Design Services, Operational Leadership, and Business Development Support.  

Technical Design Services 

The Sr. Director Suffolk Design, Florida East Coast will lead day-to-day delivery of Suffolk Design’s work on East Coast Florida projects, ensuring delivery on our clients’ performance, programming, cost, and schedule objectives.  Responsibilities include the following: 

• Design Management of Design-Build projects and pursuits 

• Manage all aspects of the design process in accordance with established principles and best practices, such as Design-Build Done Right.    

• Collaborate with clients and other external stakeholders, design teams, and Suffolk Construction to ensure efficiency and predictability in project outcomes. 

• Lead the implementation of Lean design management tools across the preconstruction lifecycle.    

• Design Assist Project Support 

• Assist in the performance of design document constructability reviews across the Florida East Coast Region’s portfolio of projects. 

• Aid construction teams with design and technical support of in-construction projects. 

• Feasibility, optionality, value management, and technical integration support of preconstruction phase projects. 

• Integrated Design-Build 

• Lead the implementation of Suffolk Design’s Integrated Design-Build projects across the Florida East Coast region through client management, deployment of Suffolk Design’s national design and production staff, and seamless integration with Florda East Coast Preconstruction and Operations teams.  

• General Design Services Responsibilities will include: 

• Maintenance and support of client relationships during all project phases, ensuring a client-first mentality that encourages both active engagement in and ownership of all design decisions. 

• Proactive tracking and reporting on progress towards project milestone completion, staffing allocations, and project financial health. 

Operational Leadership 

• Collaborate with Suffolk Design leadership and regional East Coast Florida Operational Leadership to develop, maintain, and execute a strategic business and operations plan for the East Coast Florida region.    

• Manage a regional Suffolk Design P&L and monitor regional Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for business and operational performance.  

• In alignment with the Business Plan and demand, grow the Suffolk Design East Coast Florida team through recruitment, mentorship, and development of capabilities and expertise.   

• Along with Suffolk Design leadership, standardize, codify, and continuously refine Suffolk Design best practices and standards enabling a continuous growth mentality. 

• Support Suffolk Design’s design technology staff in the introduction of automated design and documentation processes and workflows. 

Business Development 

• Collaborate with Suffolk and Suffolk Design leadership to grow Suffolk Design’s presence in the East Coast Florida region in alignment with our strategic business plan.   

• Leverage existing network to identify/pursue new opportunities for Suffolk Design.   

• Build upon Suffolk’s existing network to bolster relationships, develop new business opportunities, and otherwise differentiate Suffolk within the marketplace.  

• Serve as advocate for Suffolk Design in professional circles including regular participation in industry events, marketing efforts, etc.. 

• Represent Suffolk Design in key regional pursuits. Support content development for dynamic and insightful presentations.  

Experience and Education 

• 15+ years or comparable experience in professional architecture, engineering, and related industries, including management of design delivery and design project management 

• Experience managing teams and interfacing with clients and construction partners throughout the duration of the project’s design process 

• Professional degree in Architecture or Engineering (Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical) is required.  Advanced degree is preferred. 

• Design Build project delivery experience is required. DBIA certification is highly desirable.  

• Certification as licensed architect or professional engineer is preferred. 

• Proven success working on multiple projects concurrently and across all project phases, including Construction Documentation and Construction Administration 

• Proven success working on projects of varying size (at least one project over $50M construction value) and type (multi-family, office, healthcare, etc.) 

• Working knowledge of Building Information Modeling platforms, including the Autodesk Suite and other industry standard 3D modeling and analysis software 

• Substantial knowledge of building codes/regulations and industry standards/resources 

Professional Characteristics 

• Shared enthusiasm for executing the Suffolk Design vision, with a demonstrated willingness to rethink traditional methodologies and to passionately seek out advancements in project delivery outcomes 

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, ‘start-up’ atmosphere that prioritizes flexibility and nimbleness 

• Deep awareness and sensitivity to the workings of the design and construction processes, and the ability to interpret and develop creative, technically competent, and constructible solutions to design challenges 

• Demonstrates value-driven design philosophy that incorporates sound business judgement, community benefit, and aesthetic excellence 

• Strong management capabilities and proactive leadership qualities that allow for systematic and consistent implementation of standard processes, procedures, and systems across Suffolk Design and Suffolk’s broader design-build delivery business 

• Committed to leveraging technology to meaningfully enhance the efficiency, accuracy, completeness, and speed of the design, documentation, and construction process 

• Self-motivated and able to work as part of a team or independently, depending on the situation 

• Excellent communication and organizational skills 

• Able to travel, as needed 

• Possesses Suffolk’s Core Values: Passion, Integrity, Hard Work, Professionalism, and Caring 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. 

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law.  This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.  Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk.