Design Director Jobs in Pennsylvania

General Summary

Responsible for overseeing all preconstruction activities, project definition, early design coordination, technical services, medical equipment planning, and project support functions for the Facilities Design & Construction division. Leads the teams responsible for project controls, quality control, staff engineering, staff architecture, and minor project delivery. This role ensures that capital and renovation projects are accurately scoped, costed, coordinated, and executed in alignment with institutional objectives, operational needs, and regulatory requirements—particularly within healthcare environments.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Leads preconstruction activities including project intake, programming, scope development, feasibility studies, and conceptual design coordination; Develops early-phase cost models, budgets, schedules, and risk assessments for capital and renovation projects.
• Ensures alignment of design intent with operational, financial, and regulatory requirements; Facilitates value engineering, constructability reviews, and early procurement strategy; Assures alignment with WellSpan Design Standards and Requirements.
• Directs planning and coordination for all medical equipment needs across capital and renovation projects.
• Oversees development of detailed equipment lists, budgets, room requirements, and logistics planning.
• Coordinates with clinical users, IT, biomedical engineering, supply chain, and design consultants to ensure equipment compatibility and functionality; Ensures compliance with healthcare facility guidelines (e.g., FGI, NFPA) and technical requirements (utilities, shielding, MEP integration).
• Supports procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, and transition planning for clinical spaces.
• Creates and supervises the Quality Control (QC) team responsible for reviewing design deliverables, technical documentation, and construction quality; Establishes QC standards, processes, and performance metrics that ensure compliance, constructability, and design excellence; Coordinates internal peer reviews and maintains quality benchmarks for drawings, specifications, and contractor submittals.
• Ensures lessons learned are captured and integrated into future design and construction standards.
• Provides strategic direction and professional oversight to the staff engineer and staff architect.
• Ensures technical staff support project managers with engineering evaluations, architectural design input, code assessments, sustainability guidance, and technical problem-solving; Oversees development of technical standards, design guidelines, space planning resources, and lifecycle planning tools.
• Supports complex issue resolution involving building systems, infrastructure, code compliance, and facility operational impacts.
• Manages the Minor Projects Team responsible for small-scale renovations, operational improvements, refresh projects, and departmental requests; Ensures minor projects are delivered efficiently through standardized scopes, templates, estimating tools, and delivery approaches; Oversees prioritization, resource allocation, budget development, and schedule management for minor project portfolios.

Common Expectations:

• Ability to evaluate personal and team priorities and redirect as necessary to meet expectations.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers.
• Fosters teamwork within Design & Construction, Facilities and project support teams.

Travel Requirements:

• Estimated Amount: 20% - Travel as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

• Bachelors Degree In Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field. Required
• Masters Degree Preferred

Work Experience:

• 15+ years Experience in facilities design and construction, design and construction, capital planning, and preconstruction oversight. Required
• 5 years Experience in higher education, healthcare, government or large institutional environments. Required

Driver's License Statement:

Must possess a valid driver's license in the current state of residence. Driving record must meet requirements established by WellSpan Risk Management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of design and construction delivery methods (e.g., Design-Bid-Build, CM at Risk, Design-Build).
• Ability to manage complex budgets, schedules, and stakeholder relationships.
• Familiarity with sustainability standards such as LEED.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Strategic thinking with strong execution capabilities.

Benefits Offered:

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Education assistance
• Financial education and support, including DailyPay
• Expanded Paid Parental Leave

For additional details: Benefits & Incentives | WellSpan Careers