Project Design Manager

Cushman & Wakefield•Saint Louis, MO

About The Position

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. The role manages a high volume of concurrent projects while providing design oversight, consultant coordination, stakeholder engagement, and strategic guidance. Projects must align with brand standards, operational requirements, and long-term asset objectives. The successful candidate is organized, client-focused, and able to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while delivering strong project outcomes. The position oversees design for restaurant renovations, refreshes, and capital improvements, including design reviews, project scheduling, consultant and vendor coordination, construction support, and communication with leadership and project teams. It also contributes to facility performance improvements, future-focused design solutions, reinvestment planning, modernization, and long-term asset management. Travel for project reviews, site visits, and partner engagement is approximately 20%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, and/or Construction Management.
5+ years of experience in design, construction, and project management; restaurant industry experience is preferred.
Strong knowledge of architectural design and operations, construction principles, and generally applicable laws and regulations for restaurants and public-use buildings.
Strong presentation and organizational skills.
Experience managing multidisciplinary design teams.
Reasonable computer application skills, including AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, Office, and Outlook.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and the ability to convey design concepts and goals.
Ability to work in ambiguous, fast-moving environments and adapt to evolving standards and site constraints.
Self-motivated, ambitious professional with a strong work ethic and ability to take ownership and deliver results.
Ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing deadlines, and maintain high quality while delivering successful outcomes.
Proven ability to manage a high-volume workload involving multiple projects, stakeholders, deadlines, and competing business priorities.
Client-facing experience 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.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and drive results with ownership and accountability.
Willingness to travel approximately 20% for project reviews, site visits, and partner engagement.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the restaurant industry.

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 improve functionality, guest experience, and operational efficiency while preserving brand integrity.
Review and approve design deliverables for compliance with design guidelines, facility standards, and project objectives.
Lead multiple facilities-related design projects simultaneously and manage project schedules, scopes, and milestones.
Identify project risks, constraints, and opportunities, and implement mitigation strategies to maintain project performance.
Monitor design progress and coordinate activities among stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and vendors.
Manage relationships with architects, engineers, specialty consultants, contractors, and furniture and equipment vendors.
Oversee consultant performance and ensure quality, consistency, and adherence to 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.
Support construction through design clarification, issue resolution, site reviews, and coordination of project modifications.
Partner with construction teams to maintain design intent throughout project execution.
Communicate project status, risks, and key decisions to leadership and project teams.
Facilitate design reviews, working sessions, and stakeholder presentations to support alignment and decision-making.
Build partnerships across internal and external teams to support project outcomes.
Identify opportunities to improve facility performance, operational effectiveness, and project delivery processes.
Apply lessons learned and industry best practices to enhance design standards and facilities management initiatives.
Contribute future-focused design solutions that support changing operational, maintenance, and brand requirements.
Support strategic planning for restaurant reinvestment, modernization, and long-term asset management.
Balance a high volume of projects and client requests while maintaining quality, responsiveness, and schedule commitments.
Serve as a trusted advisor to client stakeholders through proactive communication, sound judgment, and consistent delivery.
Drive projects forward with urgency and accountability, identify obstacles early, and coordinate cross-functional teams to resolve them promptly.