Sign Designer/Project Manager

Society for Experiential Graphic Design; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Benderson Development is seeking a Sign Designer to design and coordinate signage across a portfolio of commercial properties. You will work with leasing, construction, property management, and design teams to bring signage from concept to installation.

The role requires familiarity with sign fabrication processes, building codes, and permit submissions, with opportunities to collaborate on pylon, monument, and storefront signage projects.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in sign design or environmental graphic design.
• Ability to read architectural drawings and prepare signage plans.
• Strong communication and coordination skills across internal teams and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Design tenant storefront signs, pylon and monument signs, and wayfinding signage.
• Develop signage plans using site plans, elevations and architectural renderings.
• Create color elevations and mockups for leasing and marketing.
• Coordinate with construction, marketing, and leasing teams to ensure sign plans meet building codes and lease language.
• Prepare submittals and variance packages for municipal approvals.
• Manage vendor relationships and scheduling of fabrication/installation.

Skills

Sign design

Environmental graphic design

Project management

Tools

CorelDraw

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

InDesign

Job description

SIGN DESIGNER

About Benderson Development

Benderson Development is one of the nation's largest privately held real estate companies, with a diverse portfolio of retail, office, industrial, and other commercial properties across the country. Our in-house Sign Design team supports the portfolio by creating signage and visual solutions for our properties, tenants, and development projects. This role offers the opportunity to work directly alongside our internal leasing, construction, property management, and design teams and see projects come to life from concept through installation.

Position Summary

The Sign Designer is responsible for designing, managing, and coordinating signage across our portfolio of commercial properties. This includes tenant signage, pylon and monument signs, directional and wayfinding signage, and signage for company-owned entities.

The role combines creative design, technical knowledge, code compliance, and project management, with direct communication between municipalities, vendors, internal departments, and tenants.

Key Responsibilities

Design & Technical

• Design tenant storefront signs, pylon/ground signs, project signage, directional signage, and banners.
• Develop signage plans using site plans, elevation drawings, and architectural renderings.
• Create color building elevations and tenant signage mockups for leasing and marketing.
• Select and apply building and signage color schemes in coordination with construction and marketing teams.
• Produce scalable, print-ready design files using CorelDraw and/or Adobe Creative Suite.

Coordination & Documentation

• Establish signage criteria for each property and maintain compliance with municipal codes.
• Review and coordinate tenant signage submittals and compatibility with lease language and property standards.
• Prepare variance packages and signage approval submissions for municipalities and franchises (e.g., hotels).
• Place signage on scaled construction drawings for accurate visualization and approval.
• Maintain department design databases and records of tenant signage layouts, submittals, and approvals.

Municipality & Vendor Communication

• Prepare purchase orders and documentation for sign projects.
• Communicate directly with municipalities, building inspectors, and zoning departments.
• Submit signage packages for municipal approvals and track status through permit processes.
• Research sign vendors, obtain bids, prepare bid packages, and manage vendor relationships.
• Assist with scheduling fabrication and installation of signage and follow up on vendor deliverables.

Support & Administrative

• Assist management in organizing signage packages for new developments or rebranding efforts.
• Respond to service calls for damaged or non-functioning signage.
• Support the leasing team with visual mockups and signage plans for tenant proposals. Review tenant submittals to create lease exhibits.
• Create and maintain tracking systems and files for ongoing signage projects.
• Generate ESS (Exterior Signage Specifications) and lease exhibits.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in sign design, environmental graphic design, or commercial real estate signage coordination.
• Proficient in CorelDraw (preferred) or Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Familiarity with signage materials, fabrication methods, and municipal permitting processes.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural and construction drawings.
• Strong communication and project management skills.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple signage projects at once.
• Knowledge of local zoning codes and ADA signage requirements a plus.
• Experience with hotel, retail, or mixed-use signage projects a strong plus.

Preferred Software Skills

• CorelDraw
• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word)
• Familiarity with architectural software or CAD a plus
• Familiarity with SketchUp or other rendering software a plus