Project Design Manager

Job Title

Project Design Manager

 

 

Job Description Summary

The FM Project Design Manager serves as the primary design representative supporting a client Design Leader for facilities-related capital improvement and renovation projects across an existing restaurant portfolio. This role is responsible for managing a high volume of concurrent projects while providing design oversight, consultant coordination, stakeholder engagement, and strategic guidance to ensure projects align with brand standards, operational requirements, and long-term asset objectives. A successful candidate is highly organized, client-focused, and able to effectively balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while delivering exceptional project outcomes.

 

 

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary design contact for facilities management projects, providing architectural and interior design guidance for existing restaurant environments.

• Ensure consistent application of client design standards, brand image requirements, and operational design principles across renovation, refresh, and capital improvement projects.

• Evaluate existing conditions and develop design solutions that enhance functionality, guest experience, and operational efficiency while preserving brand integrity.

• Review and approve design deliverables for compliance with established design guidelines, facility standards, and project objectives.

• Lead multiple facilities-related design projects simultaneously.

• Develop and manage project schedules, scopes, and key milestones to ensure successful delivery.

• Identify project risks, constraints, and opportunities, implementing mitigation strategies to maintain overall project performance.

• Monitor design progress and coordinate project activities to ensure alignment between stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and vendors.

• Manage relationships with architects, engineers, specialty consultants, contractors, and furniture/equipment vendors.

• Oversee consultant performance, ensuring quality, consistency, and adherence to project schedules and budget requirements.

• Review consultant drawings, specifications, and construction documents for completeness, code compliance, and operational effectiveness.

• Facilitate collaboration among cross-functional project teams to achieve project goals and business objectives.

• Review permit comments and work with design consultants to resolve issues efficiently.

• Support construction activities through design clarification, issue resolution, site reviews, and coordination of project modifications.

• Partner with construction teams to ensure design intent is maintained throughout project execution.

• Communicate project status, risks, and key decisions to leadership and project teams.

• Facilitate design reviews, working sessions, and stakeholder presentations to drive alignment and informed decision-making.

• Foster strong partnerships across internal and external teams to support successful project outcomes.

• Identify opportunities to improve facility performance, operational effectiveness, and project delivery processes.

• Leverage lessons learned and industry best practices to enhance design standards and facilities management initiatives.

• Contribute to the development of future-focused design solutions that support evolving operational, maintenance, and brand requirements.

• Support strategic planning efforts related to restaurant reinvestment, modernization, and long-term asset management.

• Manage a high volume of concurrent projects and client requests across a diverse portfolio, effectively balancing competing priorities while maintaining quality, responsiveness, and schedule commitments.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to client stakeholders, building strong relationships through proactive communication, sound judgment, and consistent delivery of project objectives.

• Demonstrate urgency and accountability in driving projects forward, identifying obstacles early and coordinating cross-functional teams to achieve timely resolution.

  

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture/ Engineering/Interior Design and/or Construction Management.

• 5 years’ + experience in design, construction and project management, preferably in the restaurant industry

• Strong knowledge of architecture design and operations, construction principles and understanding of generally applicable laws and regulations with respect to restaurants and public use buildings

• Strong presentation and organizational skills

• Multi-discipline design team management experience

• Reasonable computer application skills in AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, Office, Outlook, etc.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and ability to convey design concepts and goals

• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast moving environments and adapting to evolving standards and site constraints.
• Self-motivated, ambitious professional with a strong work ethic and a proven ability to take ownership of responsibilities and deliver results.
• Results-driven individual who effectively prioritizes tasks, manages competing deadlines, and remains focused on delivering successful project outcomes while maintaining high standards of quality.
• Proven ability to manage a high-volume workload consisting of multiple projects, stakeholders, deadlines, and competing business priorities.

• Experience serving in a client-facing role with responsibility for building relationships, influencing decisions, and presenting recommendations to leadership.

• Exceptional prioritization, organization, and time-management skills with the ability to adapt quickly to changing business needs.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and drive results with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

• Willingness to travel for project reviews, site visits, and partner engagement – approx. 20%

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.

The compensation for the position is: $ 76,500.00 - $90,000.00

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email Accommodations@cushwake.com. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”