Design Project Manager

About the Studio

At Ideation Design Group, we create hospitality environments people remember.

From nationally recognized airport dining concepts to immersive restaurant and retail experiences, our work lives at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and unforgettable design. We partner with some of the world’s most recognized brands to create spaces that are functional, emotionally engaging, operationally smart, and visually magnetic.

We are a modern, boutique architecture, interior design, foodservice and procurement firm specializing in creating magnetic environments for the hospitality, restaurant and retail sectors, giving our designers the opportunity to work closely across disciplines and contribute to projects from concept through execution.

Our team is fast-moving, design-driven, highly creative, and deeply committed to producing exceptional work without losing the human side of collaboration. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere, curiosity matters, and the best designers balance vision with execution.

We are seeking a Design Project Manager who thrives at the intersection of design and execution. This is not a design role. It is a project leadership role focused on ensuring design projects are delivered on time, on budget, technically sound, and aligned with client expectations. The ideal candidate understands hospitality design documentation, specifications, detailing, and project delivery, while bringing the organizational discipline and leadership required to drive successful outcomes.

What You’ll Do

As the Design Project Manager, you'll lead the execution of our Design and Foodservice projects while serving as the primary design partner to our Project Delivery team on integrated projects.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing project schedules, budgets, hours, deliverables, and deadlines.
• Leading project teams through all phases of project execution, ensuring accountability and follow-through.
• Coordinating project activities between Design, Foodservice, Architecture, Procurement, and Project Delivery teams.
• Overseeing project documentation, specifications, and drawing package development.
• Managing the redline and revision process to ensure deliverables are coordinated, complete, and accurate.
• Conducting QA/QC reviews for all project milestones and deliverables.
• Monitoring project health, identifying risks early, and implementing solutions before issues impact clients or schedules.
• Leading project meetings, tracking decisions, and maintaining project communication.
• Supporting and directing junior designers and project team members throughout project execution.
• Collaborating with the Director of Design to ensure design intent is successfully translated into technically sound, buildable solutions.
• Ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and in alignment with client expectations.

What We’re Looking For

We're looking for someone who understands how great design becomes a successful project.

You are equally comfortable reviewing drawing details, managing project budgets, tracking schedules, leading project teams, and coordinating multidisciplinary efforts. You bring a deep understanding of hospitality project delivery and know how to balance design excellence with executional discipline.

You're the type of person who enjoys turning complexity into clarity. You don't just track projects; you actively drive them forward. You take pride in delivering complete, coordinated, and highly resolved work, and you know how to lead teams through red lines, revisions, deadlines, and competing priorities without losing momentum.

You'll likely thrive here if you are:

• Highly organized and process oriented.
• Detail-focused without losing sight of project goals.
• Proactive in identifying risks, resolving issues, and keeping projects moving forward.
• Confident holding teams accountable to commitments and deadlines.
• Able to balance technical rigor with practical decision-making.
• Committed to delivering complete, coordinated work rather than passing unfinished problems to others.
• Willing to roll up your sleeves, do the work that needs to be done, and lead by example.
• Possess a strong work ethic, high standards, and a healthy sense of humor.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field preferred
• 5+ years of project management experience within a design, architecture, hospitality, or related professional services environment
• Strong understanding of interior design documentation, detailing, specifications, FF&E processes, and project delivery
• Experience managing project budgets, schedules, fees, and utilization
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and project management platforms
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary project teams and consultants

Why You'll Love This Role

Our designers get exposure, responsibility, mentorship, and the opportunity to make a real impact early in their careers. We work hard, move fast, support each other, and genuinely care about creating meaningful work together.

• You'll serve as a key partner to the Director of Design.
• You'll have significant ownership and influence over project outcomes.
• You'll work directly with senior leadership and multidisciplinary teams.
• You'll contribute to nationally visible hospitality projects.
• You'll help shape project standards, processes, and the future growth of the Design Studio.
• You'll be surrounded by a collaborative, creative, and high-performing team.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off and holidays
• Annual bonus opportunities
• Leadership coaching and professional development support

We are open to providing relocation assistance for the right candidate who is excited to grow with our team and contribute to nationally visible hospitality projects. Please note that visa sponsorship is not currently available for this role.