Principal Associate, Design Manager (Cafes) | Retail Bank

Capital One; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 132,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Capital One is seeking a Principal Project Manager to lead the design and delivery of cafes and branches across multiple locations. You will guide architecture teams from concept through construction, ensuring design integrity and adherence to program and budget while collaborating with business partners and leadership.

The role requires strong project management, retail design experience, and the ability to translate brand goals into functional spaces.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or Military experience.
• At least 5 years of commercial retail design or architectural experience.
• At least 3 years of architectural project management experience.
• At least 3 years of experience selecting and sourcing architectural materials, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end architectural design and documentation for cafes and branch formats.
• Conduct site analyses, feasibility studies, and develop conceptual layouts to assess program fit.
• Guide external architects through due diligence investigations, site visits and code reviews.
• Adapt Capital One design standards to site conditions and local market needs; develop site-specific solutions.
• Lead exterior and interior design with sketches, 3D visualization, and presentations for leadership alignment.
• Manage architects of record to ensure high-quality construction documents and milestones.
• Supervise design execution during Construction Administration; ensure design intent is maintained.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and senior leadership to influence outcomes.
• Travel up to 20% depending on project needs.

Skills

Project management

Architectural design

Retail design

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Military experience

Tools

AutoCAD

Photoshop

Bluebeam Revu

SketchUp

Job description

Capital One, a Fortune 500 company and one of the nation’s top 10 banks, offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. Our mission is to create one of the nation’s great banks, and we have the necessary ingredients: a strong balance sheet, resilient businesses, a massive customer franchise, strong analytical capabilities, and great people. We nurture a work environment where people with a variety of thoughts, ideas and backgrounds, guided by our shared Values, come together to make Capital One a great company – and a great place to work.

The Role

Capital One’s Retail Design Team is looking for a creative and innovative thinker with strong problem solving skills. In this position, you will be responsible for the design and management of projects and initiatives from concept to execution, focusing on the delivery of Capital One Cafes.

Capital One is designing the next generation of financial spaces for our customers. Our Cafes create spaces for our customers to experience the brand in a low-pressure environment while also providing banking support when they need us most, with a focus on hospitality and retail presence. In this exciting role, you will work closely with key stakeholders to deliver results that will have a direct impact on Capital One’s physical presence in the retail marketplace.

We are looking for candidates who want to join an ambitious, innovative, and customer-obsessed program. You will be joining a dynamic, highly skilled, and forward-thinking team that you will need to complement and challenge. You are the right person for this job if you are a creative problem solver with an intense curiosity and a drive for learning. You bring a passion for architectural and interior design, customer experience, and commitment to balancing the needs of both internal and external business stakeholders. You demonstrate the ability to efficiently drive multiple projects throughout all phases of design, permitting, and construction administration, as well as outstanding communication and partnership skills with multiple stakeholders.

Location

This role is hybrid, based in McLean, VA, New York, NY or Wilimington,DE where you will be expected to spend 3 days per week working in office and the remainder of the workweek working virtually.

What you will do

• Oversee the end-to-end architectural design and documentation phases of new-build and renovation projects for our Capital One café and branch formats.
• Conduct site analysis, feasibility studies, and develop conceptual layouts to assess program fit.
• Guide external architects through due diligence investigations, site visits and code reviews.
• Adapt Capital One design standards to a variety of site conditions and base building typologies, local market and customer needs, and develop site-specific design solutions as required.
• Lead exterior and interior design by using sketches, 3D visualization and presentations skills to align with leadership and provide guidance to supporting architects.
• Manage architects of record to ensure high quality construction documents and consistent implementation of design standards, while maintaining key milestones throughout the course of the design, bid, and permitting project phases.
• Supervise design execution during Construction Administration, ensuring alignment with the design intent through oversight and reviewing key submittals.
• Apply creative problem-solving and critical thinking to create functional and aesthetically pleasing design solutions within budget constraints.
• Foster strong communication and partnership with cross-functional teams and senior leadership to effectively manage, and influence outcomes.
• Ability to work as a resourceful, creative, flexible, and resilient team member, delivering direct support for the development and delivery of Capital One cafes and branches.
• Demonstrate organizational agility to adapt to changing demands.
• Display strong consulting and collaboration skills.
• 20% travel depending on project needs.

The strongest candidates will bring…

• Proficiency in design development, construction documentation and oversight, with the ability to translate design concepts into constructable solutions through fabrication and construction methods.
• Excellent prioritization skills for managing multiple projects with competing priorities.
• Solid interior design experience, with a keen understanding of design principles, color, texture and layering techniques to create beautiful and functional spaces.
• Solid experience selecting and coordinating finishes, furniture, millwork, fabrics, signage, and lighting, in collaboration with product representatives and dealers.
• Strong understanding of applicable laws and regulations, including building and accessibility codes.
• Experience managing the design process end-to-end and evaluating deliverables for quality assurance.
• Strong skills in conceptual design and space planning, demonstrating excellence implementing the principles of spatial design, aesthetic and function of environments.
• Experience solving problems with creative thinking and accustomed to thinking independently and bringing forward solutions to problems.
• Experience designing and developing premium retail environments, preferably food and beverage environments.
• Value engineering experience to deliver cost effective solutions while maintaining design integrity.
• Fundamental knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and experience integrating them within a coordinated design.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to confidently and clearly communicate design ideas to the leadership team and cross-functional stakeholders.
• "Test and Learn" mindset with full understanding of defining metrics of success.
• Keen understanding of retail customer journey and brand integration.
• Passion for retail design trends and best practices.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or Military experience
• At least 5 years of commercial retail design or architectural experience.
• At least 3 years of architectural project management experience supporting concept through construction administration.
• At least 3 years of experience selecting and sourcing architectural materials, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or Interior Design
• NCIDQ or NCARB certification, or on the Internship Development Program Path
• 6+ years experience working in retail design or architectural experience for a multi-unit retail, restaurant or hospitality company
• Ability to critically assess complex situations, identify root causes and develop strategic solutions
• Proficiency in construction documentation, and quality assurance review
• Strong examples of design demonstrating your experience and process.
• Experience in brand building initiatives
• Experience working with AutoCAD, Photoshop, Bluebeam Revu, SketchUp 3D

At this time, Capital One will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

McLean, VA: $120,800 - $137,900 for Principal Project Manager

New York, NY: $131,800 - $150,500 for Principal Project Manager

Wilmington, DE: $109,900 - $125,400 for Principal Project Manager

Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.

This role is also eligible to earn performance based incentive compensation, which may include cash bonus(es) and/or long term incentives (LTI). Incentives could be discretionary or non discretionary depending on the plan.

Capital One offers a comprehensive, competitive, and inclusive set of health, financial and other benefits that support your total well-being. Learn more at the Capital One Careers website. Eligibility varies based on full or part-time status, exempt or non-exempt status, and management level.

This role is expected to accept applications for a minimum of 5 business days.

No agencies please. Capital One is an equal opportunity employer (EOE, including disability/vet) committed to non-discrimination in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Capital One promotes a drug-free workplace. Capital One will consider for employment qualified applicants with a criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable laws regarding criminal background inquiries, including, to the extent applicable, Article 23-A of the New York Correction Law; San Francisco, California Police Code Article 49, Sections 4901-4920; New York City’s Fair Chance Act; Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Act; and other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding criminal background inquiries.

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Capital One Financial is made up of several different entities. Please note that any position posted in Canada is for Capital One Canada, any position posted in the United Kingdom is for Capital One Europe and any position posted in the Philippines is for Capital One Philippines Service Corp. (COPSSC).