Design Project Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for mission critical, industrial, life sciences, power & energy, aviation, commercial, institutional, residential and sports & entertainment related building projects.

About LJC

LJC Design & Engineering is a full-service architecture, engineering, and design firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience through integrated design. We are a team of high-energy professionals who share a passion for design, a collaborative approach, and a casual culture. We solve challenges by leveraging the collective expertise and ingenuity of the best and brightest minds across development, design, and construction.

The Role We Want You For

As an Interiors Project Manager, you will contribute to a variety of projects to support our diverse and innovative design practice. In this position, you will enhance and assist the practice’s leadership team, helping to grow and expand our Chicago presence and portfolio by producing quality projects, pursuing new opportunities, engaging with the community, and forming long-term client relationships.

The Specifics of the Role

• Engage with the client and management team to develop the spatial program and project requirements.
• Develop and maintain the project schedule and internal resource planning.
• Understand and guide a team's design to align with client budget expectations.
• Oversee development of the overall design concept and provide support throughout the project process in collaboration with the internal team and collaborative consultants.
• Oversee development of material palettes and furniture specification packages.
• Develop presentation packages, including 2D and 3D documents.
• Develop and oversee the technical viewpoint on projects, recommending appropriate technical solutions and product strategies.
• Prepare and coordinate final documents for submission to the governing authorities.
• Oversee construction administration activities and coordinate with project team.
• Lead and document client presentations and provide ongoing communication on agenda items.
• Provide input to RFP responses, marketing proposals, and participate in pursuit interviews.
• Establish and maintain positive relationship with the client and project team.
• Represent LJC in the community and at industry events.
• Practice LJC’s core values of integrity, humility, and fearlessness.
• Contribute to LJC’s Core Councils (Design, Culture and Sustainability).
• Provide support and coaching/mentoring to colleagues.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in interior design or architecture.
• 8+ years’ experience with interior design or architecture.
• Experience in mainly commercial interior design.
• A project portfolio demonstrating design and technical capabilities.
• Should be registered as an architect or interior designer.
• LEED and/or WELL-accreditation desirable.
• Demonstrated competence with Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD/Revit and MS Office.
• Exemplary written and spoken communication.
• Comfort and poise presenting to external and internal audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal relationship-building and colleague-coaching skills.

Some Things You Should Know

• Our clients and projects are nationwide – Travel will be required.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs across the United States.
• The pace is fast!

Why LJC and Clayco?

• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
• 2025 ENR Top 400 – Top Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The LJC Nationwide salary range for this position is approximately $100,000 - $150,000 +/- annually (not adjusted for location).