Store Development Project Manager (Freelance)

MACKENZIE-CHILDS LLC•Town of Ledyard, NY

21h•$65 - $65•Remote

About The Position

MacKenzie-Childs is seeking an experienced Freelance Project Manager to lead the execution of a high-profile branded environment initiative from concept through completion. This individual will serve as the central project management lead, driving schedules, coordinating cross-functional teams, managing external partners, and ensuring the successful delivery of a complex, design-driven project. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and experienced managing multiple workstreams simultaneously. They excel at bringing together creative, operational, and technical teams while maintaining project momentum, identifying risks early, and ensuring all deliverables are completed on schedule and within budget. This role requires a strategic project leader who is comfortable driving accountability across stakeholders, and overseeing every phase of project execution.

Requirements

7+ years of project management experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives.
Proven experience managing projects involving design, fabrication, construction, or branded environments.
Strong understanding of project scheduling methodologies, critical path management, budgeting, and resource planning.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple vendors and consultants simultaneously.
Exceptional organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Experience leading cross-functional teams in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
Ability to anticipate risks, solve problems proactively, and adapt to evolving project requirements.
Proficiency with project management software (Monday.com, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Asana, or similar) and Microsoft Office Suite.
Computer, telephone, printer, photocopier, and scanner.
NetSuite or other ERP; Microsoft Office 365: Outlook, Word, and Excel. Adobe Acrobat, Figma Project Management System: Monday.com
Ability to perform work on a computer for extended periods, including frequent use of a keyboard, mouse, and video conferencing platforms.
Ability to communicate effectively through written, verbal, and virtual communication methods.
Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple projects, tasks, and deadlines simultaneously.
Ability to maintain attention to detail and accuracy while handling confidential or sensitive information.
Ability to analyze information, solve problems, and exercise sound judgment independently.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced, remote environment.
Ability to remain seated or stand in a stationary position for prolonged periods, with the ability to move about as needed during the workday.
Ability to lift or move up to 10 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies or equipment), if applicable.

Nice To Haves

No travel requirements

Responsibilities

Lead all phases of the project from concept approval through final installation and post-launch review.
Develop and maintain the master project schedule, including milestones, dependencies, critical paths, and key deliverables.
Establish project governance, meeting cadence, communication plans, and reporting structures.
Facilitate regular cross-functional project meetings and ensure timely follow-up on action items.
Prepare status reports highlighting progress, risks, budget impacts, and upcoming milestones.
Proactively identify schedule risks, resource constraints, and execution challenges while developing mitigation strategies.
Drive accountability across internal teams, consultants, vendors, and external partners.
Serve as the primary project management lead coordinating activities across multiple business functions, including: Visual Merchandising / Store Development, Creative Marketing, Product Development, Retail Operations, Finance, External consultants and fabrication partners.
Ensure all project dependencies are clearly identified, communicated, and actively managed throughout the project lifecycle.
Track project budgets, commitments, purchase orders, and forecasted expenditures.
Coordinate vendor selection, bid reviews, production schedules, and contractual deliverables.
Manage relationships with fabricators, manufacturers, installers, consultants, and service providers.
Monitor project expenditures and escalate budget variances or schedule impacts as needed.
Maintain detailed project documentation, contracts, change orders, and financial tracking.
Coordinate design development milestones and stakeholder review sessions.
Manage project documentation including drawings, floor plans, specifications, and production packages.
Ensure timely approvals throughout design, fabrication, and installation phases.
Coordinate production schedules with fabrication partners and installation teams.
Support permitting, compliance, and site readiness activities as required.
Oversee installation sequencing and punch-list completion to ensure project quality standards are achieved.
Coordinate procurement schedules for fixtures, furniture, graphics, finishes, and custom production elements.
Track manufacturing timelines and shipping schedules.
Manage production reviews and quality control throughout fabrication.
Ensure all project components arrive on schedule and are installation-ready.
Maintain comprehensive project documentation and meeting notes.
Develop weekly project status reports for executive leadership.
Monitor project health through schedule tracking, issue logs, and risk registers.
Provide clear communication across all stakeholders to ensure alignment and timely decision-making.