Project Design Manager

Cushman & Wakefield•Saint Louis, MO

About The Position

The Design Manager is a dual-impact role. You will be responsible for both the high-level management of a design team and execution of complex design projects. This role requires a "lead by example" approach, balancing team mentorship, resource optimization, and oversight with active participation in production, space planning, and technical problem-solving.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Interior Design from a NAAB or CIDA-accredited institution.
7+ years of design experience; 2+ years of experience managing or mentoring a design team.
5+ years of Revit experience in a professional setting.
Proficiency in MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite is required.
Working knowledge of IBC and ADA requirements for drawing review and compliance.
Ability to pivot seamlessly between management and production tasks.
Strong interpersonal skills to foster collaboration with internal partners and external clients.
Takes full ownership of requests to ensure successful, high-quality completion.
Exceptional oral, written, and presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

NCIDQ certification or Architectural Licensure.
Experience managing project budgets, vendor relationships, and complex procurement processes.
Experience with Bluebeam, Dynamo scripts, or other BIM automation tools.
Background in corporate workplace design or retail prototype development.

Responsibilities

Manage a team of design professionals, providing coaching, feedback, and career development through regular performance reviews.
Oversee team project timelines and resource allocation, ensuring workload balance across multiple concurrent projects.
Contribute and document to design standards and Revit workflows to ensure consistency and efficiency across the entire team.
Streamline design delivery by formalizing innovative ideas into executable, scalable, and documented team standards.
Actively produce and oversee high-complexity projects, templates, and design assets.
Perform rigorous reviews of test fits, space plans, and design documents to ensure technical accuracy and compliance with IBC and ADA codes.
Step into projects to resolve complex design or technical challenges alongside the team.
Review client business needs and suggest data-driven improvements that align with their goals.
Present design concepts and project updates to stakeholders at all levels, bridging the gap between technical execution and design objectives.
Stay current with design trends and software to recommend improvements to guidelines and internal processes.