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Design Project Manager Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Mesa Accosiates

Project Manager

Knoxville, TN · On-site

Mesa is hiring a Project Manager to lead small to medium-scale power delivery design projects out of our Knoxville, TN office. You'll guide multidisciplinary engineering teams from project initiation ...

Mesa Associates Inc.

Project Manager

Knoxville, TN

Mesa is hiring a Project Manager to lead small to medium-scale power delivery design projects out of our Knoxville, TN office. You'll guide multidisciplinary engineering teams from project initiation ...

Mesa Associates, Inc.

Project Manager

Knoxville, TN · On-site

Mesa is hiring a Project Manager to lead small to medium-scale power delivery design projects out of our Knoxville, TN office. You'll guide multidisciplinary engineering teams from project initiation ...

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Design Project Manager information

See Tennessee salary details

$35.4K

$88.2K

$152.5K

How much do design project manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for design project manager in Tennessee is $88,150.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,100.00 and $107,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can I make 100k as a project manager?

A Design Project Manager can earn a salary of $100,000 or more depending on experience, location, industry, and company size. Senior project managers with certifications like PMP and strong leadership skills are more likely to reach or exceed this salary level.

What is the highest paid design job?

The highest paid design jobs are often executive roles such as Creative Director or Chief Design Officer, with salaries reaching into the high six or seven figures for experienced professionals in large organizations. Specialized fields like UX/UI design, industrial design, or design consulting can also command high salaries, especially with advanced skills and certifications.

What Is a Design Project Manager?

Design project managers oversee one or a group of creative projects for a client. They are often found working on interior design efforts and online web design projects. As a design project manager, your job duties include establishing the project schedule, monitoring the budget, and motivating a team of creative professionals. The qualifications to pursue a career as a design project manager include a bachelor’s degree in art, graphic design, or business management and several years of industry experience.

What does a design project manager do?

A design project manager oversees the planning, execution, and delivery of design projects, coordinating between clients, designers, and other stakeholders. They manage timelines, budgets, and resources, often using project management tools like Asana or Trello, to ensure projects meet quality standards and deadlines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Design Project Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Project Manager, you need expertise in project management methodologies, design principles, and a relevant degree, often paired with experience in design or architecture fields. Familiarity with project management tools (such as Asana, Trello, or MS Project), design software (like Adobe Creative Suite), and certifications such as PMP or Agile are often required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help manage teams, stakeholders, and project challenges effectively. These competencies ensure projects are delivered on time, meet quality standards, and align with client or organizational goals.

What is the difference between Design Project Manager vs Interior Designer?

AspectDesign Project ManagerInterior Designer
CredentialsProject management certifications, design backgroundInterior design degree, licensing (if applicable)
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, design firms, client meetingsShowrooms, clients' homes, design studios
Industry UsageConstruction, architecture, design firmsResidential, commercial interior design
Primary FocusManaging design projects, timelines, budgetsCreating interior spaces, aesthetics, functionality

The main difference is that a Design Project Manager oversees the entire project process, coordinating teams and managing timelines, while an Interior Designer focuses on designing and decorating interior spaces. Both roles require design knowledge, but their responsibilities and daily tasks differ significantly.

How does a Design Project Manager typically coordinate collaboration between design teams and other departments?

A Design Project Manager acts as a central point of communication, ensuring that design teams work closely with stakeholders such as marketing, engineering, and product management. They regularly hold meetings to align project goals, clarify requirements, and address any roadblocks, fostering a collaborative environment. By managing timelines and expectations across departments, they help ensure that design deliverables integrate seamlessly with larger organizational objectives. This role often requires balancing creative vision with practical constraints from other teams, making strong communication and negotiation skills essential.

What are the 4 types of project managers?

In project management, four common types are functional, projectized, matrix, and hybrid managers. Functional managers work within departments, projectized managers lead dedicated teams, matrix managers share resources across projects, and hybrid managers combine elements of these structures. Each type influences communication, authority, and resource allocation in managing design projects.
More about Design Project Manager jobs
What are popular job titles related to Design Project Manager jobs in Tennessee? For Design Project Manager jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Design Project Manager jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Design Project Manager jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Design Project Manager jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Design Project Manager job openings:
Design Project Manager jobs near you

Project Manager

Mesa Accosiates

Knoxville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

PDS 8 / Power Delivery Substation
This position is not eligible for recruiting or sourcing by outside parties.
Disclaimer: Be cautious and only respond to emails from our "mesainc.com" domain. We will never ask for sensitive information, such as bank account details, SSN, etc., via email. If you receive any communication asking for such information, it is not from Mesa. For any concerns, or to verify the authenticity of a message, please contact us through our official channels.
Mesa is hiring a Project Manager to lead small to medium-scale power delivery design projects out of our Knoxville, TN office. You'll guide multidisciplinary engineering teams from project initiation through closeout, owning safety, quality, schedule, and budget while keeping the client experience front and center. You won't be doing it alone - our Project Support Office backs you with the scheduling, controls, and analyst support to keep your projects running clean.
What We're Looking For
  • 6+ years of relevant project experience, including at least 3 years managing engineering or design projects.
  • Demonstrated experience managing power utility substation design projects.
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field from an accredited institution.
  • Strong working knowledge of PMI standards, practices, and processes - PMP is preferred but not required.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the presence to lead client meetings and represent Mesa in technical conversations.
  • Comfortable managing multiple projects - or a small program - in parallel, including emergent or fast-track work.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, project scheduling software, and a working understanding of corporate accounting and forecasting practices.
  • Experience with Primavera P6 is a plus.
  • Knoxville-based or within roughly two hours of our Knoxville, TN office - this role works closely with the team and clients in person.
  • Travel availability - Willing to travel to client sites for periodic site visits, typically 1-2 single-night trips per month.

What You'll Lead
  • Small to medium-scale power delivery design projects from initiation through closeout - owning quality, schedule, and budget outcomes.
  • A multidisciplinary project team drawing from internal groups (Substation Physical, P&C, Relay Settings, Scoping) over the life of each project.
  • The day-to-day client relationship for your projects - design reviews, status meetings, and the technical conversations that keep work moving.
  • Project planning and reporting documents - Project Execution Plans, Project Initiation Documentation, Communication Plans, and RFI logs - and the discipline to keep them current.
  • KPI tracking and reporting across your projects - the schedule, budget, and quality metrics that tell leadership and the client whether work is healthy, and where to act before issues spread.
  • Risk management for your projects - surface risks early, drive mitigation, and keep status reporting honest so leadership and the client see the same picture.

What You'll Do
  • Drive accountability to scope, schedule, budget, and quality on every project, and follow Mesa's business processes end to end.
  • Monitor and control project schedules and budgets; identify and document scope changes that affect cost or timeline before they spread.
  • Get up to speed on Mesa's work breakdown structure (WBS) and apply it consistently across your projects - it's how we tie scope, schedule, and cost together.
  • Review estimates and proposals the engineering teams develop before they go out - pressure-test scope, assumptions, and pricing so the commitments we make hold up under execution.
  • Partner with associate project managers, project coordinators, schedulers, analysts, and controllers - with full support from our Project Support Office (PSO) - to forecast spending, accruals, and financial performance.
  • Coordinate design and construction activities so information flows cleanly between engineering disciplines, the client, and the field.
  • Support design teams in resolving technical challenges and removing blockers without taking the work off their plate.
  • Participate in client meetings and substation site visits, modeling Mesa and client safety expectations every time.
  • Help Program Managers and Directors maintain strong cost and schedule performance across the broader portfolio.

What You'll Earn
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Pay - 10 Days Annually
  • Group Medical/Dental Insurance
  • Life Insurance (Company Paid)
  • Disability Insurance (Company Paid)
  • 401(K) Retirement Savings plan
  • 401(K) Matching Contribution
  • Section 125/Cafeteria Plan
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Fitness Center Reimbursement
  • Annual Performance Bonus
  • 9/80 Work Schedule Option
  • HSA and FSA Options

Additional Requirements
  • Willingness to travel to client sites as needed to support project alignment and execution
  • U.S. Citizenship is required (per 10 C.F.R. Part 810)
  • Mesa Associates is unable to sponsor or transfer work visas for this position

Notice to External Search Firms: Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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