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About the job

At Designer Brands, we are the proud parent company of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Rubino, operating nearly 675 stores across North America and a billion-dollar digital commerce business. We lead the footwear industry with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Topo Athletic, Keds, Vince Camuto, Kelly & Katie, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Mix No. 6, Crown Vintage, and others. With expertise in design, production, and sourcing, we create on-trend footwear and accessories, delivered through a robust omni-channel infrastructure and national wholesale distribution. At Designer Brands, we are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, where each employee’s unique perspective contributes to our success. Anchored by our core values of “We Love What We Do,” “We Own What We Do,” “We Do What’s Right,” and “We Belong,” we continuously drive forward together, building a future where everyone can put their best foot forward.

Store Construction Project Manager

The Opportunity

At Designer Brands, we believe every store tells a story—of craft, creativity, and the experience we want our customers to feel the moment they walk through the door. As a Store Construction Project Manager , you’ll bring those stories to life.

This role is hands-on, fast-paced, and central to how our physical spaces evolve. You’ll guide the full journey of each construction project—from the earliest drawings to the final walk-through—shaping spaces that reflect our brand and support our teams and customers.

You’ll thrive here if you enjoy solving challenges in real time, collaborating across disciplines, and seeing your work come alive in stores across the country.

This position is a fulltime CONTRACT role that is REMOTE.

What You’ll Be Doing

Project Leadership & Planning

Lead the competitive bidding process, including:

Contractor evaluation and selection

Bid reviews, analysis, and award recommendations

Review and validate construction drawings for:

Accuracy

Completeness

Brand alignment

Scope consistency

Construction Administration

Manage day-to-day project tasks such as:

Responding to RFIs

Reviewing and approving updates or submissions

Coordinating materials and delivery schedules

Maintaining up-to-date project timelines

Review and approve:

Pay applications

Change orders

Budget adjustments or impacts

On-Site Management & Quality Control

Conduct site visits to assess:

Build quality

Progress against milestones

Contractor performance

Prepare and manage punch lists to ensure all items are completed accurately and on time

Oversee project close-out documentation and handoff

Travel up to 30% to support construction across regions

Communication & Collaboration

Maintain clear, consistent communication with:

Internal partners

External contractors

Vendors

Design teams

Facilitate or participate in weekly construction and scheduling meetings

Lead weekly project calls focused on alignment across:

Timeline

Scope

Deliverables

Provide proactive updates, including risk mitigation and solution-oriented recommendations

What You’ll Need

Core Skills

Communication: Clear, effective verbal and written communication with home office teams, field teams, vendors, and contractors

Organization: Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects at once

Financial acumen: Confidence managing budgets and tracking project spend

Technical proficiency:

Microsoft Word

Excel

Project

Construction knowledge: Ability to read and interpret construction drawings

Problem-solving: Ability to resolve or escalate issues quickly and thoughtfully

Team collaboration: Experience working with diverse teams and maximizing collective strengths

Leadership mindset: Inspire excellence and accountability across partners

Qualifications

Minimum Experience

1-2 years of experience as an Intern, Project Manager or Project Engineer preferred

Recent graduates of a construction management program may also be considered

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or a related field preferred

Candidates with an unrelated bachelor’s degree may qualify with 5 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in retail or hospitality environments

Knowledge of capital budget approval processes

Experience with remodel or rollout programs

CAD experience is a plus