The Senior Design Manager – Asset Management plays a critical leadership role in planning, organizing, and directing design activities for LAUSD’s School Upgrade Program and critical repair projects. This position serves as the lead design professional within the Design Department, ensuring quality, compliance, and alignment with District standards, budgets, schedules, and regulatory requirements.

This role works cross-functionally with architects, consultants, District leadership, and regulatory agencies to deliver safe, compliant, and high-quality educational facilities that serve students, staff, and communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct design activities for new construction, modernization, and critical repair projects
• Serve as the lead design professional, providing quality review and ensuring compliance with District policies, procedures, and DSA requirements
• Manage and coordinate the District’s design process to ensure alignment with functional, budgetary, environmental, and legal requirements
• Oversee multiple projects from concept through final design, approvals, and handoff to Project Execution
• Ensure compliance with LAUSD standards and guidelines for all new and modernized facilities
• Develop and manage the process for selecting the most qualified architectural firms for each project
• Provide clear direction to architects regarding scope, goals, standards, site constraints, schedule, and budget
• Establish and manage an effective design review process that maximizes value, sustainability, and functionality
• Ensure timely decision-making to maintain project schedules
• Maintain complete and legally compliant project documentation
• Review and approve design changes to ensure projects remain within approved budgets
• Recommend architectural firm assignments from pre-qualified firm lists
• Participate in community outreach and engagement efforts related to facility projects
• Coordinate with District departments including Environmental Health and Safety, A/E Design Services, Maintenance and Operations, School Occupancy, and Local Districts
• Develop and support continuing education initiatives such as workshops and seminars
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements (Must Be Met)

Required Experience

• Fifteen (15) years of full-time paid professional experience managing facilities design or the planning and coordination of capital projects
• Experience must include design oversight, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling
• At least five (5) years of this experience must be in the design, planning, and construction of K-12 educational facilities
• Required Education
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Engineering from a recognized college or university
• Master’s degree in Architecture or Engineering is preferred
• Licenses and Certifications
• Valid Certificate of Registration as an Architect issued by the California State Architectural Board
• OR
• Valid Professional Engineer license issued by the State Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Proven leader in public-sector or educational facility design
• Deep knowledge of DSA processes and compliance requirements
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Detail-oriented with strong documentation and reporting capabilities
• Experience working with diverse communities and public engagement