Design Project Manager

About the Role

The Design Project Manager will support the Director of Project Design in the planning, coordination, and execution of interior design projects across Kushner's portfolio of multifamily developments, including new construction, repositioning, and renovation communities. This is a project management role responsible for managing the day-to-day execution of the design process by coordinating external interior design firms, architects, consultants, vendors, and contractors to ensure projects remain aligned with approved budgets, schedules, and design standards.

The role involves facilitating the execution of designs from initial programming through procurement, installation, and project closeout. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. A background in interior design, architecture, or hospitality is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Project Design in managing multiple multifamily development and renovation projects through all phases of design, procurement, construction, and installation.
• Coordinate the day-to-day activities of interior designers, architects, consultants, procurement partners, manufacturers, and vendors to ensure projects remain on schedule and within budget.
• Participate in project kickoff meetings, programming sessions, and design reviews while documenting decisions, tracking action items, and coordinating follow-up with project teams.
• Review design presentations, finish palettes, material selections, furniture plans, specifications, and renderings for consistency with approved design direction and project objectives.
• Prepare and maintain finish schedules, specification books, FF&E trackers, presentation materials, and other project documentation for internal review and ownership approval.
• Coordinate communication between Development, Construction, Operations, Marketing, and external design consultants to ensure approved design decisions are accurately implemented throughout the project.
• Track project schedules, design deliverables, procurement milestones, and long-lead items while identifying potential schedule impacts and proactively communicating risks.
• Support value engineering initiatives by researching alternate products, finishes, and materials that maintain design intent while achieving project budget goals.
• Prepare and maintain FF&E budgets, proposal comparisons, procurement logs, invoice reconciliations, and cost trackers; monitor expenditures against approved budgets and identify variances.
• Coordinate FF&E procurement activities including purchase orders, production schedules, lead times, deliveries, warehousing, installation coordination, punch lists, and warranty follow-up.
• Review shop drawings, finish samples, product submittals, and mock-ups for compliance with approved design documents and project specifications.
• Assist with space planning reviews for amenity spaces, leasing offices, residential units, and model apartments, including coordination of low-voltage, technology, and audiovisual requirements.
• Coordinate artwork, signage, branding, and wayfinding packages to ensure consistency with approved design standards.
• Maintain and continuously update finish libraries, material samples, brand standards, and specification documentation across the portfolio.
• Research emerging design trends, products, manufacturers, and vendors; prepare recommendations and product evaluations for consideration by the Director of Project Design.
• Conduct market research by touring competing multifamily communities, hotels, and comparable developments to identify industry trends and best practices.
• Participate in framing walks, finish inspections, model unit reviews, installation oversight, and punch walks to verify design quality and consistency with approved documents.
• Travel regularly to project sites to support installations, quality assurance reviews, project meetings, and field coordination.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in design project management, interior design, architecture, hospitality, or multifamily development.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple concurrent projects and meet aggressive deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to coordinate among internal teams, ownership, consultants, vendors, and contractors.
• Working knowledge of interior construction, FF&E procurement, finish materials, and construction documentation.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings, finish schedules, furniture plans, specifications, and shop drawings.
• Strong analytical skills with experience managing budgets, tracking project costs, and preparing proposal comparisons.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel skills. Familiarity with AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, or similar design software is preferred.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as needed throughout the project lifecycle.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and detail-oriented with the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy.

Skills

• Interior Design
• Architectural Design
• Construction
• FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment)
• Multi-Family Properties
• AutoCAD
• Bluebeam
• SketchUp