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