Project Manager – Brand Design

Gensler•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Project Manager on Gensler’s Brand team, you connect the disciplines of strategy, storytelling, and design to create and refresh brand experiences that inspire, teach, connect, and thrill people. You guide projects from concept through implementation with creativity, team orientation, organization, and a positive outlook. Our design managers lead work streams, elevate creative outcomes, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to the growth of the Brand practice area, advancing Gensler’s mission to create a better world through the power of design.

Requirements

Skilled at leading interdisciplinary teams and aligning multiple parties around a shared vision.
Clear, confident communicator capable of guiding clients through complex brand/experience decisions.
Proven track record of identifying, pursuing, winning, designing and delivering successful, innovative Brand Design projects.
Ability to manage multiple fast-paced brand projects with shifting priorities.
Strong negotiation skills and track record of navigating scope, budget, and vendor coordination.
Entrepreneurial mindset with an eagerness to build relationships and grow the practice.
Invested in elevating team talent and studio culture.
6-10 years’ experience in a design firm, brand agency, marketing/communications capacity or similar professional experience
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field: design, business, marketing
Experience delivering projects for place-based brands and environments
Highly organized and proficient in using/creating tools that support work efficiency
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with direct client management experience
Ability to manage multiple projects (often at highly varied scales) simultaneously
Both client and team-oriented; experience with managing projects and design teams
Proficient in MS Office programs; experience with Adobe Creative Suite a plus

Nice To Haves

This position is best suited for a personable account or project manager to maintain accounts and serve as our main point of contact externally as well as internally with the integrated project team.
This is not a full-time designer role, but may be suited for someone who started a career in design and shifted to project/client leadership.

Responsibilities

Manage all phases of a project lifecycle through clear project objectives, deliverables, and workplans tailored to brand team workflows.
Coordinate interdisciplinary teams including graphic and brand designers, signage specialists, strategists, architects, interior designers, digital experience designers, and fabrication partners.
Manage schedules, budgets, and related processes with a knowledge of the unique needs of brand-driven, experience-focused work.
Work with design leaders on the creative and strategic process of brand strategy, experience design, environmental graphics, and experiential storytelling across all project phases.
Track and manage financial performance, staffing & revenue planning, and resource allocations across brand workstreams.
Support contract development, fee negotiation, and alignment of scope, schedule, and budget.
Lead client and partner communications for project teams and coordination.
Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, building long-term relationships rooted in insight, proactive communication, and design excellence.
Anticipate evolving client needs and identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships and expand services.
Actively seek and cultivate new business opportunities through lead development and preparation of proposals, pitches, and related activities.
Engage in networking, outreach, and industry events to represent Gensler, build brand team visibility through thought leadership and external engagement.
Mentor junior and mid-level brand team members and contribute to a collaborative, supportive studio culture rooted in the One Firm Firm philosophy.

Benefits

medical
dental
vision
disability
wellness programs
flex spending
paid holidays
paid time off
401k
profit sharing
employee stock ownership
twice annual bonus opportunities
reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees
reimbursement tuition for certain eligible programs or classes