Design Development Jobs in Pasadena, CA (NOW HIRING)

WHY JOIN ALO?

Mindful movement. It’s at the core of why we do what we do at ALO—it’s our calling. Because mindful movement in the studio leads to better living. It changes who yogis are off the mat, making their lives and their communities better. That’s the real meaning of studio-to-street: taking the consciousness from practice on the mat and putting it into practice in life.

OVERVIEW

Alo Architecture + Design is a close-knit team of design professionals who are designing, developing and continuously elevating the Alo’s retail experience. As Alo expands its global store footprint, we are seeking a Senior Project Manager who brings both an exceptional design eye and the operational rigor to bring ambitious retail environments to life, from feasibility through documentation, construction and project completion.

We are looking for someone who can sit comfortably between architecture, real estate, and construction; who understands design intent well enough to protect it through landlord negotiations, value engineering and field conditions. An individual who can manage a portfolio of 10-15 concurrent projects across varying markets, complexities, and stages of development without losing sight of the details that make Alo stores feel distinct.

You will be a critical link between Alo's global design direction and project execution, ensuring every store we open is both on-brand and exceptionally well-built.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the full design, development, and administration lifecycle for a portfolio of 10-15 retail projects simultaneously, spanning feasibility, design development, construction documentation, bidding, and construction administration.
• Build and maintain preliminary project schedules, milestone tracking, and risk logs; proactively flagging delays and developing mitigation plans before they impact the overall schedule and intended opening date.
• Lead cross-functional coordination across internal design, real estate, construction, visual merchandising, and brand teams, ensuring approvals move efficiently and decisions are documented.
• Serve as the primary point of accountability for assigned projects, escalating issues early and bringing solutions, not just problems, to leadership.

Design Leadership & Brand Standards

• Lead the internal design process, directing the development of plans, elevations, sections, details, specifications, and renderings to a consistently elevated standard.
• Champion Alo's brand and design standards across every project, balancing global consistency with the realities of local codes, landlord constraints, and market conditions.
• Develop project-specific design details and specifications where standard prototypes require adaptation, ensuring design intent survives translation into construction documents.
• Manage architecture and design consultants through design development and construction documentation, holding their work to Alo's quality bar, applicable codes, and project-specific requirements.
• Review submittals and shop drawings for design conformance, catching deviations before they reach the field.

Real Estate, Landlord & Pre-Construction

• Partner with the real estate team on site evaluation, pre-lease due diligence, and lease negotiations, advising on design and construction implications of proposed terms.
• Prepare feasibility studies on prospective properties, identifying design opportunities and construction risk early in the site selection process.
• Manage landlord communications related to design approvals, project set-up, and tenant coordination, representing Alo's interests and standards professionally.
• Support the construction team in developing initial project budgets and assisting during the bidding and contractor selection process.

Construction Administration

• Support the construction team in resolving RFIs and field issues, providing timely, design-informed guidance that keeps projects moving.
• Conduct on-site observations as needed to verify design intent, construction quality, and code compliance, flagging deficiencies and driving them to resolution.
• Partner with contractors and consultants to troubleshoot constructability issues without compromising the design or the schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture
• 10-15 years of design and project management experience, with a strong preference for retail, hospitality, or high-volume multi-site experience
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Project
• Significant working knowledge of construction methods, sequencing, and documentation
• Strong working knowledge of retail-related ADA compliance and applicable building codes
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present and defend design decisions to internal leadership, landlords, and consultants
• Strong relationship management, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Sustainable building practice experience preferred; LEED AP is a plus

We're elevating our bar for this role. Beyond meeting the baseline qualifications, the candidates who thrive on this team typically demonstrate:

• A portfolio of built retail, residential or hospitality work that reflects genuine design sensibility, technical acumen and detailed documentation
• Fluency in translating brand and design intent into buildable, code-compliant documents without diluting the design, even under landlord or budget pressure
• A track record of managing a high-volume, fast-moving project pipeline (10+ concurrent projects) with the organizational systems to match
• Comfort operating with autonomy and judgment in ambiguous, fast-paced situations, balancing big-picture design thinking with hands-on technical detail
• Experience negotiating or advising on lease terms, tenant allowances, or landlord work letters from a design and construction perspective
• A collaborative, low-ego approach to working with consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders, paired with the confidence to hold the line on quality
• A genuine passion for design, from the big-picture concept down to the smallest detail or specification
• A self-starting, efficient, and intelligent approach to work, with the ability to prioritize across a demanding portfolio and meet deadlines without sacrificing quality
• A team-oriented mindset that takes ownership of outcomes while collaborating openly with designers, architects, and construction partners across regions
• A builder's mentality: someone energized by Alo's growth and eager to help shape the systems and standards that scale with it

The base salary range for this position is $130,000-$160,000 per year which represents the current range for the base salary for this exempt position. Please note that actual salaries will vary based on factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. As such, on occasion and when applicable, there is the possibility that the final, agreed-upon base salary may be outside of the upper end of the range. Please also note the range listed is just one component of the company’s total rewards package for exempt employees. Other rewards may include performance bonuses, long term incentives, a PTO policy, and many other progressive benefits.

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