Design Project Manager Jobs in Pelham, AL (NOW HIRING)

Role Specific Responsibilities:

• Support the continued application and refinement of de novo prototypes, including architectural standards, finish palettes, equipment integration, detailing, and building systems
• Document and maintain national design standards, specifications, exhibits, and approved manufacturer lists to ensure consistency and scalability across all De Novo projects
• Lead design execution for multiple assigned projects simultaneously from site feasibility and schematic design through construction administration, ensuring alignment with operational requirements, budget targets, schedule commitments, and constructability standards
• Develop, maintain, and actively manage design schedules and deliverable milestones for assigned projects, identifying risks and escalating delays that may impact permitting, construction, or opening timelines
• Review and approve drawings, specifications, and consultant deliverables for compliance with prototype standards and cost objectives
• Manage design-to-budget objectives and drive cost-per-square-foot optimization through system level evaluation, material standardization, and repeatable detailing strategies
• Support program wide value engineering initiatives while preserving brand integrity and clinical intent
• Partner with Construction leadership to improve constructability, reduce change orders, and drive continuous improvement in delivery speed and quality
• Act as the primary design contact during construction, providing timely and decisive responses to design-related RFIs, submittals, ASIs, and bulletins to maintain schedule momentum while coordinating closely with the assigned Construction Project Manager
• Hold architects, engineers, and external consultants accountable to contracted scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations; identify performance issues and coordinate corrective action with the Design & Preconstruction Lead when necessary
• Support early-stage feasibility and site test fits in collaboration with Real Estate to ensure design viability prior to lease execution, including evaluation of building configuration, utility capacity, site constraints, clinical requirements, and prototype fit
• Develop conceptual plans, renderings, and presentation materials to support internal decision making and stakeholder alignment
• Coordinate integration of veterinary equipment and specialized clinical requirements into design, including imaging, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, acoustical, technology, and other building-system requirements as applicable
• Conduct post occupancy reviews and incorporate lessons learned into recommendations for updates to standard and prototype refinements
• Build and maintain strong cross functional relationships to ensure design standards reflect real operational, clinical, and client experience needs
• Travel as required to support site assessments, construction coordination, prototype validation, and stakeholder alignment

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, interior design, or related field preferred
• Minimum 5 years of experience in architectural or design project management
• Strong front end design experience with an emphasis on schematic and conceptual design
• Experience supporting prototype-based, multi-site, retail, healthcare, dental or veterinary facility development programs preferred
• Proficiency in Bluebeam and working knowledge of AutoCAD and/or Revit; experience with SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar design and visualization software preferred
• Ability to communicate design ideas quickly and clearly through graphics and drawings
• Experience producing, reviewing, and marking up construction documents
• Demonstrated experience managing architects, engineers, and other external design consultants across multiple concurrent projects
• Strong understanding of design schedules, permitting, constructability, and design-to-build principles
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and delegation skills
• Excellent graphic, verbal, and written communication skills
• High level of attention to detail and quality