Design manager

Working across Europe and with a client roster that includes international names such as Five Guys, Fred Perry, Indeed.com, The Instant Group, and LVMH, there’s always something interesting to be a part of. 

You will join us and work alongside our colleagues on a range of projects across Europe.

• Location: France, Italy, or Luxembourg
• Hours: 9AM to 6PM
• In return: Based on experience.

Our expertise knits together seamlessly, to ensure that whether we’re working in the retail or commercial industries – or anywhere in between – clients benefit from an innovative, best-value and bespoke solution to their market entry, expansion, or relocation project.

We’re looking to add to that, with the appointment of a design manager – an organised and diligent professional:

Here’s what our design manager will be doing:

In this role, you will assist the team on mid to large scale projects in collaboration with external design architects and our clients — in the retail, hospitality, and office sectors. This position is multifaceted, working with the pre-construction director and project management teams on product conception.  

Occasional travel to client destinations and work sites in Europe is required.

Key activities identified below but not limited to:

• Provide architectural leadership and vision for products and services
• Develop, present, and explain the value and vision of proposed architectures and solutions to all stakeholders, including options with recommendations and associated costs
• Represent architecture at stakeholder meetings
• Produce and modify drawings to meet client requirement
• Ensure designs are available to those who need them, at the appropriate time
• Ensure structural drawings and designs are produced on time, to a high quality, and are easy to decipher
• Oversee the design process using technical expertise
• Work with clients or design department to ensure that their expectations are met
• Review designs with health and safety in mind
• Avoid errors and reducing financial risk during construction
• Maintain thorough documentation of the design process
• Keep up to date with changing building legislation and codes of practice relating to design
• Work in an office, with occasional site visits.

Key skills and competencies

• The ability to work independently on a range of tasks including interior design, design presentation materials, construction documents
• Experience leading documentation and coordination with a consultant team
• Strong communication skills
• Candidates must have a self-starter work approach with the ability to being projects on their own with little to no supervision
• Self-starter traits include resiliency, ambition, confidence, and motivation
• Strong technical knowledge a plus
• Project management
• Time management
• Being able to communicate proficiently
• Managing conflicts
• Mentoring employees
• Being innovative
• Being proactive
• Being creative

Education and experience

• Professional degree from an accredited architecture program 
• At least 7-10 years of comprehensive project experience
• proficient computer skills and in-depth knowledge of Revit, AutoCAD, Sketchup, Microsoft Office Microsoft Office: PPT and other illustrative and design skills: Canva, InDesign…
• English speaker bilingual in Italian or French. German, or any other European language would be an asset.

What we’re looking for from our design manager:

• Bilingual (including English)
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience as design manager is required.

Ideally, here’s what you will also be: 

• Self-driven, persevering, and performance oriented
• Adaptable according to environments, situations, and people
• A team leader
• Flexible in prioritizing and re-prioritizing activities in the face of changes and constraints
• Customer oriented
• Creative with a great sense of innovation
• Rigorous and organised
• Knowledgeable in the technical and organizational rules of the art in the field of construction
• You have excellent command of French and English; any other European language will be a bonus!