Interior Design Project Manager

BOX Studio Chicago LLC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO and paid holidays

Medical insurance with vision option;

Employer-sponsored disability

401(k)

Professional development and phone St

Job summary

BOX Studio Chicago LLC in Chicago, IL seeks an experienced project leader for interior design, architecture, or construction management. You will drive projects from concept through construction documents and administration, serving as the primary client contact in a hybrid work model.

Qualifications include a Bachelor’s or Master’s in related field, 5+ years post-graduate design experience, 2+ years of PM, and licensure preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Interior Design, Architecture, or Construction Management; CIDA or NAAB accreditation for applicable design or architecture programs.
• Minimum 5 years of post-graduate design experience, preferably commercial, and 2 years of project management experience.
• Architectural licensure or interior design registration preferred; project management training or PMP certification preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of design principles, programming, materials, FF&E, construction documents, and construction administration.
• Strong knowledge of site surveys, building codes, ADA requirements, occupancy, egress, and plumbing fixture requirements.
• Strong financial, team, and client management skills; commitment to continuing education.
• Proficient in AutoCAD, Photoshop, SketchUp, and Microsoft Office; advanced Microsoft Project and Ajera skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple projects from programming and concept development through construction documents and construction administration with minimal senior leadership oversight.
• Serve as the primary client contact; lead meetings, communicate progress, manage expectations, and resolve concerns.
• Prepare proposals, contracts, scopes, fee estimates, schedules, and staffing plans; manage scope changes, risk, and firm liability.
• Manage budgets and profitability; partner with project accountants on forecasting, billing, and collections.
• Coordinate designers, consultants, contractors, and agencies; assign work, review deliverables, and mentor team members.
• Guide space planning, materials, FF&E, acoustics, lighting, and code compliance; serve as design lead when needed.
• Support bidding, cost analysis, and value engineering; maintain clear project documentation.

Skills

Project management

Client management

Budgeting

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Interior Design, Architecture, or Construction Management

Licensure or registration preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Photoshop

SketchUp

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

Ajera

Job description

Classification: Exempt

Work schedule: Hybrid: 3 days in the Chicago office and 2 remote days per week, with client meetings and site visits as needed.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Lead multiple projects from programming and concept development through construction documents and construction administration with minimal senior leadership oversight.
• Serve as the primary client contact; lead meetings, communicate progress, manage expectations, and resolve concerns.
• Prepare proposals, contracts, scopes, fee estimates, schedules, and staffing plans; manage scope changes, risk, and firm liability.
• Manage budgets and profitability; partner with project accountants on forecasting, billing, and collections.
• Coordinate designers, consultants, contractors, and agencies; assign work, review deliverables, and mentor team members.
• Guide space planning, materials, FF&E, acoustics, lighting, and code compliance; serve as design lead when needed.
• Support bidding, cost analysis, and value engineering; maintain clear project documentation.

Experience & Education:

• Bachelor’s or master’s in Interior Design, Architecture, or Construction Management; CIDA or NAAB accreditation for applicable design or architecture programs.
• Minimum 5 years of post-graduate design experience, preferably commercial, and 2 years of project management experience.
• Architectural licensure or interior design registration preferred; project management training or PMP certification preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of design principles, programming, materials, FF&E, construction documents, and construction administration.
• Strong knowledge of site surveys, building codes, ADA requirements, occupancy, egress, and plumbing fixture requirements.
• Strong financial, team, and client management skills; commitment to continuing education.
• Proficient in AutoCAD, Photoshop, SketchUp, and Microsoft Office; advanced Microsoft Project and Ajera skills.

What We Offer:

• PTO and paid holidays
• Medical insurance with vision option; life insurance
• Employer-sponsored short-term and long-term disability
• 401(k)
• Professional development and monthly mobile phone stipends; wellness reimbursement program