[Hiring] Store Construction Project Lead @Designer Brands Inc.

Role Description

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 Lead, 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 full-time 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

Qualifications

• Minimum Experience:
  • 5 years of experience as a 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

Benefits

• Your Sole Well-Being:
  • Our benefits package is crafted with our associates in mind! We support you with benefits like free virtual health care, robust family/fertility benefits, 401(k) w/ match, and more.
• Stride with Flexibility:
  • We offer hybrid and remote work opportunities, giving you the freedom to stay connected, productive, and inspired—wherever you do your best work.
• Stepping Up Your Career:
  • Take advantage of training programs, professional development, and education assistance to advance your career with a company that celebrates bold ideas and fresh perspectives.
• We are Shoe-Obsessed:
  • Because we know a great pair of shoes can change your day, you’ll enjoy 30% off at DSW & com, plus discounts across our family of brands.