Project Design Manager

Cushman & Wakefield; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking a Project Design Manager to lead a design team, align workplace strategy, and support design associates across assigned accounts. The role serves as main point of contact and oversees design delivery from concept through construction documentation.

Hybrid or remote work options are available, with emphasis on mentoring, project timelines, budgets, and adherence to codes, standards, and FF&E decisions to meet client requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a CIDA or NAAB accredited institution in Architecture or Interior Design.
• 4+ years of professional design experience.
• 4+ years of Revit experience in a professional setting.
• Demonstrates proficiency in architectural drawings, concepts & design.
• Excellent time management, communication, collaboration, and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Must be able to lead a team effort and delegate work.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of design professionals from concept through start of construction.
• Develop and manage team project timelines, budgets, standards, and resource allocation.
• Support Project Designers in quality review of design deliverables.
• Ensure new processes and design standards are communicated and implemented.
• Review preliminary space plans to meet safety, functional, and code requirements.
• Review furniture, fixtures, equipment, and millwork selections and specs.

Skills

Team leadership

Project coordination

Time management

Communication

Client relations

FF&E knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Interior Design (CIDA/NAAB accredited)

Tools

Revit

Job description

Job Title

Project Design Manager - Hybrid or Remote

Job Description Summary

The Project Design Manager’s role is to be the main point of contact for their assigned account(s), implement workplace strategy and standards, and provide management of and support for design associates for their assigned account(s).

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of design professionals, providing guidance, feedback, and support on design projects from initial sketch through start of construction
• Develop and manage team project timelines, budgets, standards, varying complexity of projects, and resource allocation.
• Support Project Designers in quality review of design deliverables.
• Ensures that all new processes and design standards are communicated to Project Designers and implemented within documentation
• Review and confirm all preliminary space plans and design concepts are safe, functional, aesthetically appropriate, and meet all public health, safety, and applicable code requirements
• Review selection and specifications of furniture, fixtures, equipment, and millwork, including layout drawings and detailed product description to meet clients' requirements
• Provide on-going training to team, related to space planning & design, program management and FF&E services
• Develops client workplace standards; recommends new standards and looks for continued improvements to the client workplace design
• Contribute experience to the interior environment with knowledge and skills about space planning, interior building materials and finishes; casework, furniture, furnishings, and equipment; lighting; acoustics; wayfinding; ergonomics and anthropometrics; and human environmental behavior.
• Work independently or with minor oversight to perform assignments including conceptual design, schematic design, design development, space planning and construction documentation
• Oversees and helps to direct all third-party relationships with architects, engineers, etc.
• Provide extensive and rapid-fire knowledge of FF&E vendors and resources to the team

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a CIDA or NAAB accredited institution in Architecture or Interior Design.
• 4+ years of professional design experience
• 4+ years of Revit experience in a professional setting
• Demonstrates proficiency in architectural drawings, concepts & design
• Excellent time management, communication, collaboration, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines, in addition to the ability to work independently
• Must be able to lead a team effort, and delegate work to all team members to enable them to work independently
• Able to build strong relationships with internal and external partners to deliver effective services

Project Goals

Understand, document, and confirm the client’s and stakeholders’ goals and objectives, including design outcomes, space needs, project budget, and needs for specific or measurable outcomes.

Data Collection

Collect data from client and stakeholders by engaging in programming, surveys, focus groups, charrette exercises, and benchmarking to maximize design outcomes and occupant satisfaction.

Benefits

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work.

Compensation

In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements. The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications. The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role. The compensation for the position is: $ 73,950.00 - $87,000.00

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

Accommodation for Disabilities

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [e-mail]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”

About Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for occupiers and investors with approximately 53,000 employees in over 350 offices and nearly 60 countries. In 2025, the firm reported revenue of $10.3 billion across its core service lines of services, Leasing, Capital markets, and Valuation and other. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com