Project Design Manager
About The Position
The Project Design Manager will be responsible for helping support the client's Design Leader. This role involves leading the design and project management process for Nontraditional (NTR) restaurant environments, ensuring solutions reflect brand standards while adapting to unique constraints. The manager will develop conceptual layouts, test fits, design studies, and renderings, manage project teams, and serve as the primary design liaison between various internal teams. A key aspect of the role is evaluating existing conditions and site limitations to provide creative, technically sound design solutions. The position also involves reviewing drawings, participating in project milestones, supporting the development of Non-Traditional standards, and collaborating with cross-functional teams on new equipment and concepts. Communication and site visits are crucial for ensuring design intent is upheld and for supporting change management efforts.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related design discipline
- 7+ years of experience in commercial design, architecture, or project management (restaurant/hospitality preferred)
- Strong understanding of architectural design, space planning, and construction processes
- Proven ability to create conceptual layouts, test fits, and clear design intent documents while managing multiple projects at varying stages.
- Experience directing and reviewing work from architects, kitchen designers, and engineering consultants.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across Design, Operations, Equipment, and Construction teams.
- Proficiency in Revit, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office required
- Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments and adapting to evolving standards and site constraints.
- Willingness to travel for project reviews, site visits, and partner engagement approx 25%
- Portfolio required demonstrating relevant design and project experience.
Nice To Haves
- Back-of-House workflows & kitchen equipment adjacencies preferred
- Familiarity with SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and rendering tools (Enscape, TwinMotion) preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design and project management process for Nontraditional (NTR) restaurant environments—including conversions, colleges, airports, stadiums, small‑format, and atypical sites—ensuring solutions reflect brand standards while adapting to unique constraints.
- Develop conceptual layouts, test fits, design studies, and renderings that translate program and operational needs into clear design intent for consultants, architects, and kitchen designers.
- Manage project team by providing direction, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring alignment with design principles, operational workflows, and project timelines.
- Serve as the primary design liaison between Architecture, Kitchen Design, Equipment, Development & Construction teams for Non-Traditional projects.
- Evaluate existing conditions, field complexities, and site limitations to provide creative, technically sound design solutions that balance brand standards with real‑world constraints.
- Review drawings, prototypes, and program updates to identify impacts on Non-Traditional environments and communicate changes to internal and external partners.
- Participate in project kickoff, milestone reviews, and design‑to‑construction handoffs to ensure seamless alignment across all phases.
- Support the development and evolution of Non-Traditional standards, guidelines, and best practices by documenting learnings, identifying system gaps, and piloting new approaches.
- Partner with Operations partners to ensure restaurant layouts support throughput, safety, Back-of-House workflow, customer experience, and equipment adjacencies.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to evaluate new equipment, fixtures, materials, and operational concepts for adaptability within Non‑Traditional environments.
- Provide clear and proactive communication to internal stakeholders regarding project risks, design decisions, program changes, and timelines.
- Conduct periodic site visits to understand real‑world performance, build relationships with field teams, and ensure design intent is upheld through construction.
- Support change management efforts by helping teams adopt new standards, materials, workflows, and prototype enhancements across Non-Traditional formats.
- Uphold disciplined stewardship and represent the brand with excellence in all design, communication, and decision‑making touchpoints.
Benefits
- health, vision, and dental insurance
- flexible spending accounts
- health savings accounts
- retirement savings plans
- life, and disability insurance programs
- paid and unpaid time away from work
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
