Project Design Manager

Job Title

Project Design Manager

Job Description Summary

The Project Design Manager will be responsible for helping support the client's regional Design Leader.

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and project management process for new restaurant environments—including conversions, free-standing buildings, and in-line locations—ensuring solutions reflect brand standards while adapting to unique constraints.
• Work independently or with minor oversight to develop conceptual layouts, test fits, design studies, and renderings that translate program and operational needs into clear design intent for consultants, architects, and kitchen designers.
• Manage project team by providing direction, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring alignment with design principles, operational workflows, and project timelines.
• Serve as the primary design liaison between Architecture, Kitchen Design, Equipment, Development & Construction teams for new restaurant projects.
• Evaluate existing conditions, field complexities, and site limitations to provide creative, technically sound design solutions that balance brand standards with real‑world constraints.
• Review drawings, prototypes, and program updates to identify impacts on new restaurant projects and communicate changes to internal and external partners.
• Review selection and specifications of furniture, fixtures, equipment, and millwork, including layout drawings and detailed product description to meet clients' requirements
• Provide clear and proactive communication to internal & external stakeholders regarding project risks, design decisions, program changes, and timelines.
• Conduct periodic site visits to understand real‑world performance, build relationships with field teams, and ensure design intent is upheld through construction.
• Support change management efforts by helping teams adopt new standards, materials, workflows, and prototype enhancements across formats.
• Uphold disciplined stewardship and represent the brand with excellence in all design, communication, and decision‑making touchpoints.
• Provide clear direction, leadership, and support to a team of design professionals
• Ability to plan and meet deadlines for multiple projects simultaneously

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related design discipline, with 7+ years of experience in commercial design, architecture, or project management (restaurant/hospitality preferred).
• Strong understanding of architectural design, front and back of house workflows, site design, kitchen equipment adjacencies, space planning, and construction processes.
• Proven ability to create conceptual layouts, test fits, and clear design intent documents while managing multiple projects at varying stages.
• Experience directing and reviewing work from architects, kitchen designers, and engineering consultants.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across Design, Operations, Equipment, and Construction teams.
• Proficiency in Bluebeam and Microsoft Office products required; familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and rendering tools (Enscape, TwinMotion) preferred.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments and adapting to evolving standards and site constraints.
• Willingness to travel for project reviews, site visits, and partner engagement – approx. 20%

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. 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: $ 80,750.00 - $95,000.00

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.

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 Accommodations@cushwake.com. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”