Project Design Manager Senior

Island & Destination Planning | Port Strategy, Development & Operations Integration

Role Summary

The Senior Project Design Manager leads the planning, integration, and delivery of design and engineering across a portfolio of complex capital projects supporting Disney Cruise Line’s island and destination assets.

Serving as the Owner’s Representative for design and engineering, this role is accountable for ensuring that architectural, engineering, creative, and operational requirements are fully integrated from concept through construction and turnover. The position blends technical expertise, design leadership, and cross-functional influence to deliver innovative, high-quality environments that enhance the guest and crew experience while maintaining operational continuity.

This is a temporary assignment with no guarantee of permanent placement.

Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership & Delivery

• Lead end-to-end design and engineering delivery across multiple concurrent projects, from concept through construction and close-out
• Ensure design excellence, constructability, and alignment with project scope, schedule, and quality expectations
• Drive incorporation of innovative, sustainable, and experience-driven design solutions
• Prepare feasibility studies and/or code assessments of existing/future facilities

Multi-Disciplinary Integration

• Lead integration of architectural, engineering, creative, show, ride, and operational disciplines to deliver cohesive and fully coordinated solutions
• Partner closely with internal technical partners and Creative, Show/Ride, Operations, Engineering, and external consultants to align design intent with functional requirements
• Ensure all design packages meet RFP requirements, project scope, and enterprise standards

Owner’s Representative & Consultant Management

• Serve as the Owner’s Representative for design and engineering, overseeing consultants, deliverables, and contract compliance
• Direct the activities of in-house teams and external design partners in the development of construction documents
• Develop scopes of work, lead RFP processes, and support consultant selection
• Provide input into bid packaging and contracting strategies

Planning, Financial & Design Controls

• Own design schedules, labor plans, and associated budgets, ensuring alignment with overall project delivery milestones

• Monitor design progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to maintain schedule and cost targets
• Partner with functional leadership on staffing, resource planning, and cost management

Stakeholder Engagement & Executive Communication

• Translate complex design concepts, risks, and trade-offs into clear, actionable insights for executive leadership
• Provide regular updates on design status, key decisions, risks, and impacts to project and operations
• Facilitate alignment and decision-making across cross-functional stakeholders

Operational & Regulatory Integration

• Ensure design solutions are fully integrated with operational requirements, minimizing disruption to ongoing operations and enhancing guest and crew experience
• Serve as the primary liaison with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) and regulatory agencies across the project portfolio
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and enterprise requirements
• Ensure adherence to and possess working knowledge of Disney standards.

Technical Design Management

• Provide day-to-day technical leadership across multiple venues or project scopes
• Ensure quality, consistency, and coordination of design documentation across all disciplines
• Maintain and validate facility base information and existing condition documentation

Leadership Capabilities

• Strategic & Systems Thinking – Integrates design, operational, and business requirements into cohesive solutions
• Decision Quality & Ownership – Drives timely, informed decisions in complex and ambiguous environments
• Collaboration & Influence – Builds alignment across diverse internal and external stakeholders
• Executive Communication – Delivers clear, concise messaging tailored to senior leadership audiences
• Adaptability & Resilience – Thrives in dynamic, high-pressure project environments
• Talent & Capability Development – Elevates team performance and builds organizational capability

Required Qualifications

• 10–15 years of experience in architecture, engineering, or design management within complex project environments
• Demonstrated success leading multi-disciplinary design teams across full project lifecycle delivery
• Broad knowledge of commercial construction practices, codes, engineering systems, and integrated design processes
• Experience acting in a client-facing or owner’s representative role
• Proficiency with design and project tools (e.g., Revit, AutoCAD, BIM platforms)
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills, including the ability to influence executive decision-making
• U.S. Professional licensure (Architect or Engineer)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in themed entertainment, hospitality, or complex destination development environments
• Strong understanding of storytelling through environment and guest experience design
• Familiarity with facility operations and lifecycle considerations
• Membership in professional organizations (AIA, ULI, CSI, USGBC, etc.)
• Experience with visualization and digital design tools (e.g., Rhino, Maya, Adobe Creative Suite)

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related technical field required
• Advanced degree (Master’s or MBA) preferred

The hiring range for this position in Celebration, FL is $132,600.00-$177,700.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.