Interior Design Project Manager

BOX Studios seeks a motivated professional with project management, job captain, or design-lead experience to join our Chicago team as a full-time project manager. The ideal candidate brings a positive attitude, strong mentoring skills, and clear verbal and written communication. You will work directly with a firm principal to help lead commercial interior design projects from concept to completion, build strong client relationships, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver exceptional results. Looking for you to bring a design and budget focused perspective, sound judgment, strong communication skills, and a hands-on, team-oriented approach. Corporate office design experience is a plus. You must be based in or relocate to Chicago for this position.

Classification: Exempt

Work schedule: Hybrid: 3 days in the Chicago office and 2 remote days per week, with client meetings and site visits as needed.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

· Lead multiple projects from programming and concept development through construction documents and construction administration with minimal senior leadership oversight.

· Serve as the primary client contact; lead meetings, communicate progress, manage expectations, and resolve concerns.

· Prepare proposals, contracts, scopes, fee estimates, schedules, and staffing plans; manage scope changes, risk, and firm liability.

· Manage budgets and profitability; partner with project accountants on forecasting, billing, and collections.

· Coordinate designers, consultants, contractors, and agencies; assign work, review deliverables, and mentor team members.

· Guide space planning, materials, FF&E, acoustics, lighting, and code compliance; serve as design lead when needed.

· Support bidding, cost analysis, and value engineering; maintain clear project documentation.

Experience & Education:

· Bachelor’s or master’s in Interior Design, Architecture, or Construction Management; CIDA or NAAB accreditation for applicable design or architecture programs.

· Minimum 5 years of post-graduate design experience, preferably commercial, and 2 years of project management experience.

· Architectural licensure or interior design registration preferred; project management training or PMP certification preferred.

· Advanced knowledge of design principles, programming, materials, FF&E, construction documents, and construction administration.

· Strong knowledge of site surveys, building codes, ADA requirements, occupancy, egress, and plumbing fixture requirements.

· Strong financial, team, and client management skills; commitment to continuing education.

· Proficient in AutoCAD, Photoshop, SketchUp, and Microsoft Office; advanced Microsoft Project and Ajera skills.

What We Offer:

· PTO and paid holidays

· Medical insurance with vision option; life insurance

· Employer-sponsored short-term and long-term disability

· 401(k)

· Professional development and monthly mobile phone stipends; wellness reimbursement program