Manager, Design Practice

Job Description CDM Smith is seeking a Design Practice Manager to join our Digital Engineering Solutions team. This individual will lead the Design Practice group, helping to drive the firm’s digital transformation through the strategic implementation of digital design tools, technologies, and processes. The group plays a key role in advancing digital enablement programs and technology execution plans that enhance design workflows across architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) disciplines. The role also involves collaborating with cross‑functional teams to ensure seamless integration of technologies and communicating effectively with stakeholders to drive project success. The Design Practice Manager will lead rollout efforts, champion adoption across the organization, and collaborate closely with the business units, project delivery teams, and discipline experts to identify, prioritize, and advance design practice initiatives. This includes translating strategic objectives and operational challenges into actionable insights that align with broader digital strategies. The ideal candidate has a proven record in design practice, a mindset of continuous learning, and curiosity leading to tangible results.

Responsibilities

Working on the cutting edge of digital tools and technologies, developing standards, processes and workflows for applications by Autodesk and Bentley, and other design applications and plug‑ins that can benefit the AEC practices at CDM Smith.

Maintaining consistent and documented standards, processes, workflows, and best practices for CDM Smith’s AEC digital tools and technologies in alignment with the broader digital enablement strategy Ability to communicate thoughts and technical ideas in an accessible and easy‑to‑understand manner.

Eagerness to learn and work as part of a multidisciplinary team across a global practice.

Display excellent interpersonal skills to build quality relationships with the team and across the organization.

Assist on initiatives and efforts, as part of a collaborative team, with your digital tools and technologies expertise.

Assist with the development of documentation, standards, best practices, and workflows for design practice hardware/software and digital tools and technologies in use across the business.

Manage and oversee a team of design practice specialists, aligning the group to the Digital Engineering Solutions team’s goals and objectives along with the Digital Practice Leader. This further includes providing guidance, instruction, training, and leadership skills to inspire the group to perform at their optimum, working efficiently together and maximizing the team’s potential.

Motivate and inspire a team of design practice specialists by creating an environment that promotes positive communication, encourages bonding of group members (both within the area of design technology and across the broader team as a whole), and demonstrates flexibility.

Manages staff, evaluates performance, mentors, approves paid time off (PTO) and training, ensures human resources (HR) policies are followed and makes recommendations regarding staffing decisions.

Present to both internal and external audiences as needed.

Assist the business with marketing, communications, and business development descriptions and activities from a technology perspective as needed.

Assist with internal and external website descriptions as needed.

Perform other duties as required.

Skills and Abilities

Experience leading and managing a team of staff. Team-oriented, positive, collaborative and reliable. Proven leadership capabilities with the ability to organize, plan, prioritize, and to manage time and changing priorities.

Expert knowledge and proven ability in the area of AEC design technologies and processes. Inquisitive, with a desire to ask questions to gain a deeper understanding of business issues. Passionate about helping AEC business lines drive their success in using design technology and processes.

Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate well with people from both technical and non‑technical backgrounds. Ability to listen, build rapport, and credibility as a strategic and diplomatic partner with our business units.

Innovative and able to apply critical thinking skills to generate new solutions/ideas that create value and improve processes.

Detail oriented with the ability to assist with executing highly complex or specialized projects.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree.

10 years of related experience with at least 2 of those years in a supervisory or leadership capacity.

Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a college degree.

Travel Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.

Background Check and Drug Testing CDM Smith Inc. reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle checks when applicable. Background checks will be conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of background checks for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but will not precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. During employment individuals may be required to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Pay Range Minimum $120,000

Pay Range Maximum $210,000

Business Unit COR

Group COR

Assignment Category Fulltime‑Regular

Employment Type Local

Visa Sponsorship No - Please note that all applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada, for the Company, at the time of hire. Furthermore, this is not a position for which the Company is offering immigration application sponsorship or support.

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