Program Manager – Retail Architecture & Engineering

Cushing Terrell • Minneapolis, MN

2d • $82,000 - $110,000

About The Position

Join a fast-paced national retail design program delivering hundreds of grocery store projects across the U.S., shaping how design teams produce high-quality, efficient, and profitable results.
As a Program Manager – Retail Design Delivery, you will oversee the coordination, operational efficiency, and financial performance of a large portfolio of retail design projects for a national grocery client. Working directly with architects, engineers, and client stakeholders, you’ll deliver high-quality design documentation at scale and guide multidisciplinary teams toward efficient, profitable outcomes.
This role focuses on the design phase of projects: coordinating architects, engineers, and internal teams to deliver complete design documentation packages that support client approvals and construction readiness. The role is primarily desk-based and does not involve construction management, contractor oversight, or jobsite operations.
To support the continued growth of this program, you will identify recurring patterns, develop templates, and implement standardized workflows and process improvements that enhance efficiency, consistency, and profitability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Administration, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience managing design delivery or program management within architecture, engineering, or multi-disciplinary design consulting environments
• Experience coordinating architects and engineers through the design and documentation phases of national or multi-site grocery, retail, or large-format commercial programs
• Strong understanding of retail or grocery design programs, building codes, and architecture/engineering documentation standards
• Experience managing high-volume project portfolios or multi-site programs (300+ projects/contracts annually)
• Proficiency with project/program management software, Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office, Bluebeam, Deltek Vantagepoint, and Outlook
• Excellent design insight, problem-solving skills, and the ability to learn and adapt quickly
• Exceptional communication, collaboration skills, and relationship management with clients, internal teams, and external partners

Nice To Haves

• Experience working within architecture, engineering, or multidisciplinary design consulting firms strongly preferred
• Current professional license/registration or a project management certification (or equivalent in-house training)
• Experience working in Smartsheet’s

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership over project processes, maintain clear communication with teams and clients, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and consistency
• Collaborate with design leaders and discipline leads to establish, monitor, and manage project budgets
• Prepare fee proposal templates, support development and negotiation of project contracts, and oversee program-level scope changes
• Ensure project profitability targets (20% or higher) are met or exceeded
• Plan, communicate, and track project milestones from client request through the delivery of complete design documentation packages
• Participate in QA/QC reviews, identify recurring issues across projects, and implement strategies to improve program-wide quality and consistency
• Conduct weekly project reviews to monitor earned value, resource utilization, and staffing alignment
• Oversee and establish standards for the initiation and maintenance of project information and opportunities in Deltek Vantagepoint
• Develop project work plans and budgets in collaboration with Project Coordinators
• Coordinate project billing with client accounting requirements, ensuring accurate and timely invoices
• Manage accounts receivable and support collections efforts to meet the firm’s goal of payment within 30 days of deadlines
• Identify opportunities for additional services and ensure project outcomes align with client goals
• Schedule regular reviews with the Principal in Charge and other PM leadership
• Oversee project closeout activities and lead lessons-learned discussions, ensuring follow up on actionable items to drive improvements
• Supervise Project Coordinators, including training, task assignment, performance review, coaching, and conflict resolution, in alignment with company policies
• Build and strengthen client relationships, support business development and market growth initiatives
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• We offer a competitive benefits package, work opportunities in a variety of locations and markets, and a company culture that celebrates all the unique viewpoints and personalities that make up our talented team.
• View our Employee Benefits Guide for more information.
• This position is also eligible for an annual performance bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees