Project Design Manager

Job Title

Project Design Manager

Job Description Summary

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

Job Description

Lead the design and project management process for Nontraditional (NTR) restaurant environments—including conversions, colleges, airports, stadiums, small‑format, and atypical sites—ensuring solutions reflect brand standards while adapting to unique constraints.

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 Non-Traditional 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 Non-Traditional environments and communicate changes to internal and external partners.

Participate in project kickoff, milestone reviews, and design‑to‑construction handoffs to ensure seamless alignment across all phases.

Support the development and evolution of Non-Traditional standards, guidelines, and best practices by documenting learnings, identifying system gaps, and piloting new approaches.

Partner with Operations partners to ensure restaurant layouts support throughput, safety, Back-of-House workflow, customer experience, and equipment adjacencies.

Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to evaluate new equipment, fixtures, materials, and operational concepts for adaptability within Non‑Traditional environments.

Provide clear and proactive communication to internal 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 Non-Traditional formats.

Uphold disciplined stewardship and represent the brand with excellence in all design, communication, and decision‑making touchpoints.

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, space planning, and construction processes. Back-of-House workflows & kitchen equipment adjacencies preferred.

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 communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across Design, Operations, Equipment, and Construction teams.

Proficiency in Revit, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office required; familiarity with 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 25%

Portfolio required demonstrating relevant design and project experience.

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 [email protected]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”