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Senior Design Manager (Planning)

Cordoba Corporation
Los Angeles, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 28 May 2026
💰 $162,000/yr($144,000/yr$162,000/yr)

About the role

Overview

Cordoba Corporation is a leading engineering and design firm based in California. We are seeking a Senior Design Manager to join our Education & Facilities Sector. The ideal candidate should have a minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in managing facilities design or in the planning and coordination of capital projects. This experience should encompass overall design, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling activities. Additionally, at least five (5) years of this experience must be specifically related to the design, planning, and construction of K-12 educational facilities.  

Responsibilities

  • Develops, coordinates and updates LAUSD’s standards and guidelines, including Educational Specifications, School Design Guide and space program templates.
  • Supports leadership with prioritizing capital projects and programs including data driven analysis, managing complicated prioritization methodologies, and preparing and presentingrecommendations.
  • Meets with instructional staff, school sites, and architects to define facility attributes that will support and enhance the instructional programs.
  • Develops standards and guidelines to ensure that both new and modernized facilities meet educational requirements.
  • Coordinates with Furniture and Interiors Group to develop furniture and equipment solutions to meet educational needs.
  • Conducts post-occupancy assessments with instructional staff to determine necessary improvements or adjustments to District Standards.
  • Reviews and supports development of project space programs that align with District standard education specifications and respond to each school’s instructional needs.
  • Review project design deliverables and provide comments regarding the appropriateness of the space planning and the physical adjacencies.
  • Coordinates with California Department of Education (CDE) requirements. Supports review and submittal for CDE plan approval.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Develops continuing education opportunities, i.e., seminars and workshops, to learn and share updated 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.

Qualifications

  • Fifteen (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 K-12 educational facilities
  • Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, urban planning, or a related field.
  • A master’s degree in architecture is preferred
  • Continuing education and training specific to educational facilities planning preferred

Salary Range: $144,000 to $162,000 per year

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Work Environment: Onsite

Our Company

Cordoba Corporation is a nationally recognized civil engineering, construction management, program management, and planning firm. We specialize in education and facilities, transportation, and water and energy. In collaboration with our clients, Cordoba has facilitated the development of several complex and highly visible infrastructure projects throughout California.

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Company

Cordoba Corporation

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