Design Service Manager - Fire & Life Safety

Company Overview

Throughout our worldwide network of experts, clients and communities, we are renowned for our leadership in fire protection engineering – a legacy of responsibility we have proudly upheld since 1939. Today, our expertise extends broadly across closely related security and risk-based fields – from accessibility consulting and risk analysis to process safety, forensic investigations, security risk consulting, emergency management, digital innovation and more.

Our engineers and consultants collaborate to solve complex safety and security challenges, ensuring our clients can protect what matters most. For over 80 years, we have helped mitigate risks that threaten lives, property and reputations. Through technology, expertise and industry-leading research, we remain dedicated to our purpose of making our world safe, secure and resilient.

At Jensen Hughes, we believe that creating and sustaining a culture of trust, integrity and professional growth starts with putting our people first. Our employees are our greatest strength, and we value the unique perspectives and talents they bring to our organization. 

Our wide range of Global Employee Networks connect people from across the organization, supporting career development and providing forums for individuals to share experiences on topics they're passionate about. Together, we are cultivating a connected culture where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed together.

Job Overview

We are seeking a Design Services Manager preferably located in Ottawa (or within proximity to a Jensen Hughes East Canada office location) to lead our East Canada-based Fire & Life Safety Design team. This role combines technical leadership, people management, project oversight, and business development responsibilities. The successful candidate will manage a team of approximately 5-10 designers and engineers while overseeing the delivery of high-quality fire protection system designs for clients across commercial, institutional, industrial, and mission-critical sectors.

The Design Services Manager will be responsible for driving team performance, ensuring technical excellence, supporting business growth, and maintaining strong client relationships. This leader will work closely with operations, engineering, and business development teams to expand our design services capabilities and strengthen our market presence throughout East Canada.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 5-10 fire protection designers, BIM specialists, drafters, and engineers.
• Establish performance expectations and conduct regular coaching, development, and performance reviews.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, workforce planning, and succession planning initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on quality, innovation, and client service.
• Promote continuous learning and professional development, including technical certifications and BIM expertise.

Technical & Project Leadership

• Provide technical oversight for the design and coordination of fire protection systems, including:
• Fire sprinkler systems
• Standpipe systems
• Fire pumps
• Fire alarm systems
• Special hazards suppression systems
• Smoke control and life safety systems
• Review and approve design deliverables, ensuring compliance with applicable codes, standards, and client requirements.
• Oversee AutoCAD and Revit/BIM workflows, standards, and quality assurance processes.
• Support multidisciplinary project coordination and resolve design conflicts and constructability issues.
• Serve as a technical resource for complex projects and client engagements.

Operations & Project Management

• Manage project workloads, staffing assignments, schedules, and resource utilization.
• Monitor project performance, budgets, profitability, quality, and delivery milestones.
• Ensure consistent application of design standards and best practices across the team.
• Collaborate with operations leadership to improve processes, efficiency, and project execution.
• Support risk management and quality control initiatives throughout the project lifecycle.

Client Relationships & Business Development

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with owners, architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and other key stakeholders.
• Support proposal development, fee estimates, interviews, and project pursuits.
• Identify opportunities for additional design services and revenue growth.
• Represent the organization at industry associations, professional societies, and client events.
• Partner with regional and national leadership to expand fire and life safety design services throughout Canada.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering Technology, Fire Protection Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 8+ years of experience in fire protection system design, engineering, consulting, or related technical services.
• 3+ years of experience leading teams, projects, or technical design groups.
• Demonstrated expertise in the design and layout of fire protection systems.
• Strong working knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM coordination practices.
• Experience managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced consulting or design environment.
• Strong communication, client relationship, presentation, and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to mentor technical professionals and build high-performing teams.

Preferred

• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation or eligibility for licensure in Ontario.
• NFPA certifications, CET designation, or other relevant industry credentials.
• Experience supporting business development, proposals, and client growth initiatives.
• Experience with large industrial, mission-critical, institutional, or complex commercial projects.
• Advanced understanding of Canadian building, fire, and life safety codes and standards.

Success Measures

The successful Design Services Manager will:

• Build and lead a highly engaged, technically strong design team.
• Deliver projects on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Develop strong client relationships that drive repeat business and growth.
• Improve team productivity, utilization, and technical capabilities.
• Expand the Jensen Hughes East Canada design services practice while maintaining a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

This role is ideal for a senior fire protection design professional who enjoys developing people, leading complex projects, and helping grow a high-performing technical practice.

#LI-BD1

 

Please note that the salary range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting and not a guarantee of compensation. Final compensation may vary  based on factors, including but not limited to, responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, geographic location, internal equity, alignment with market data.

 

Jensen Hughes offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a retirement plan, healthcare coverage, and a broad range of other benefits. Incentives and/or benefit packages may vary depending on the position and location.

National Pay Range

$120,000—$135,000 CAD

Jensen Hughes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

 

At Jensen Hughes, we embrace innovation and understand that people are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT and other generative platforms to learn, prepare and communicate.  We have provided some guidelines regarding the responsible use of AI in the recruitment process.  Please click to review.

The security of your personal data is important to us. Jensen Hughes has implemented reasonable physical, technical, and administrative security standards to protect personal data from loss, misuse, alteration, or destruction. We protect your personal data against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure, using security technologies and procedures, such as encryption and limited access. Only authorized individuals may access your personal data for the purpose for which it was collected, and these individuals receive training about the importance of protecting personal data.  Jensen Hughes is committed to compliance with all relevant data privacy laws in all areas where we do business, including, but not limited to, the GDPR and the CCPA.  Additionally, our service providers are contractually bound to maintain the confidentiality of personal data and may not use the information for any unauthorized purpose.

 

*Policy on use of 3rd party recruiting agency for direct placements

Jensen Hughes will occasionally augment a recruiting search through agencies for certain positions when business conditions warrant. Jensen Hughes will not accept resumes, inquiries or proposals from recruiting agencies as an acceptable method to consider a candidate. 3rd party recruiting agencies must sign a standard Jensen Hughes agreement after being evaluated and accepted by a Human Resources or Talent Acquisition manager, or member of the talent acquisition team. Hiring managers and employees of Jensen Hughes are not authorized to accept resumes, engage in fee-based searches through recruiting firms or sign a search agreement. Please note this policy does not apply to “staffing firms” or firms that are involved with hiring temporary staff. Any recruiting agency interested in being considered may contact our recruiting team at jensenhughesrecruiting.com.