Project Manager-Branded Retail Environments

Join the Imagine team • Enon, OH

5d • $90,000 - $105,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Project Manager – Branded Retail Environments serves as the primary liaison and design-informed partner between retail corporate clients, interior design teams, and internal production, sourcing, and installation partners to deliver branded environmental décor for retail remodels and brand refresh programs. This role ensures seamless execution across printed interior graphics, fixtures, signage systems, and décor elements — from design consultation, scope definition, and value engineering through production, installation, and closeout. The ideal candidate combines strong account and project management capabilities with a working understanding of retail design, environmental graphics, and production processes. They are equally comfortable advising clients on creative direction and material trade-offs as they are managing timelines, budgets, and cross-functional teams. This role operates at the intersection of client service, design consultation, and production execution — delivering both trusted creative partnership and operational excellence.

Requirements

• 3-5 years of experience in account management, project management, or client services within retail environments, environmental graphics, commercial interiors, print production, or branded décor.
• 2+ years of experience in a role that includes client engagement, design review, or brand QA responsibilities.
• Strong client communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design rationale, cost trade-offs, and production recommendations to both creative and non-creative stakeholders.
• Ability to translate creative design intent and brand standards into production-ready specifications with high attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of value engineering principles as applied to retail design — including material substitution, production simplification, and design-for-manufacturability.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) or familiarity sufficient to review and QA design deliverables.
• Collaborative working style with a solutions-oriented mindset; equally comfortable providing creative direction and managing operational execution.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with national retail brands or multi-location rollouts strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of print production methods and specifications, including large-format, signage, fixtures, and dimensional elements.
• Proven ability to manage complex programs with multiple stakeholders, concurrent deliverables, and tight timelines.
• Experience using project management and production platforms such as Iquote, Monarch, Monday.com, Smartsheet, REVit, CAD, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Act as the day-to-day point of contact and trusted advisor for assigned retail clients, owning both the relationship and the quality of creative and production outcomes.
• Provide consultative guidance on visual design direction, materials, substrates, fixture finishes, signage systems, and environmental graphics in support of store renovation and brand refresh programs.
• Interpret design concepts, construction documents, and brand standards into clear, production-ready specifications — bridging the gap between creative intent and manufacturing reality.
• Participate in and lead design review sessions and working meetings with clients, facilitating creative discussion, presenting options, and guiding decisions with well-reasoned design and value rationale.
• Proactively identify opportunities to introduce new materials, formats, or design approaches that enhance the client's in-store experience.
• Partner with the in-house design team to initiate design concepts
• Lead value engineering efforts on renovation and décor programs — evaluating existing design specifications and identifying alternative materials, substrates, construction methods, or production approaches that reduce cost while preserving brand integrity.
• Translate client briefs and renovation goals into actionable design concepts and production-ready solutions in collaboration with Imagine's Studio, Engineering, and Sourcing teams.
• Develop and present décor solution recommendations for store renovation projects, including fixture finishes, signage systems, environmental graphics, and branded environmental elements.
• Create and manage estimates, purchase orders, change orders, and all project documentation throughout the program lifecycle.
• Track milestones and proactively communicate progress, risks, and changes to all internal and client stakeholders.
• Manage client feedback cycles and revision processes, balancing creative integrity with client objectives, budget parameters, and production feasibility.
• Support new concept development and ideation, contributing to pitch materials, mockups, and design presentations as required.
• Support installation planning, including site-specific constraints, phasing, and remodel schedules.
• Conduct post-installation reviews and manage punch list and closeout activities.
• Monitor budgets, margins, and cost controls throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure timely invoicing and support collections in coordination with finance.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, efficiencies, and value engineering when appropriate.

Benefits

• Equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed