Project Manager, Interior Design

North Bethesda, MD (Hybrid)/Remote

Who are we looking for?

Choice Hotels, one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, has an exciting new opportunity as our Project Manager, Interior Design in Design Projects team / Product Design & Innovation department. Design Projects is the team that works closely with hotel owners to ensure they have the most up-to-date design package installed in their hotel. As a key member of our Design Projects team, you will complete FF&E design reviews for all submittals and encourage owners to follow brand design standards and specifications by using pre-approved packages.

Are you organized and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities? We invite you to apply for our Project Manager, Interior Design role today and #MakeItYourChoice.

Your Responsibilities

Furniture, Finishes & Equipment (FF&E) Submittal Reviews:

• Work to secure complete FF&E submittals and verify submittals meet requirements for: not yet open conversions, open hotels, or new construction hotels.

• Review all FF&E submittals for compliance with design standards and manage all design exceptions/variances, making sure to resolve daily procedural issues and franchisee questions.

• Ensure FF&E submittals comply with brand program requirements.

• Provide guidance to franchisees regarding Rules & Regulations interpretation and design adaptation while advancing the use of pre-approved designs.

• Ensure Interior Design Approval (IDAP) is issued in advance of opening a hotel.

• Partner with project design teams, including procurement companies and vendors, to provide design direction, address concerns and roadblocks as well as recommend thoughtful solutions to special project conditions.

Property Improvement Plan (PIP)/IDAP Completion:

• Engaging with internal stakeholders, develop and implement strategies and tactics to achieve timely PIP completion, including FF&E submittals that merit approval.

• Proactively engage with franchisees to initiate planning, FF&E submittal, and sourcing.

• Partner with stakeholders to ensure all PIP inquiries are handled in a timely manner. Provide appropriate resolution of franchisees’ concerns, in the context of design approvals.

Reporting:

• Maintain and report up-to-date records on daily, weekly, and monthly calls and referrals.

• Maintain regular communication with all projects in the pipeline to accurately track status and milestones and forecast PIP completion. Communicate relevant information to internal team members as needed.

• Process, track, and report out on custom design fees.

• Other duties as assigned.

Your Experience, Skills & Competencies

• Bachelor's degree in related field required, or equivalent experience.

• 5-10 years experience in Interior Design, with experience in the hotel industry or hospitality preferred.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).

• Experience in Salesforce and Smartsheet is preferred.

• Strong decision-making, priority-setting, and time-management skills.

• Strong competency skills in customer service, negotiation, and problem-solving.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills: ability to converse with hotel owners, vendors, and procurement companies.

• The ability to navigate difficult conversations, combining firmness and empathy when addressing sensitive issues.

• Strong competency in one or more of the following areas: hotel management, project management, purchasing, property/building renovations, interior design, and construction.

• Ability to work with large amounts of data facts, and figures, and analyze them to improve processes.

• Strong knowledge of FF&E specifications, procurement, and cost modules.

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

Your Team

This is an individual contributor role that will report to the Manager, Design Projects. You will have 3 peer teammates and collaborate with cross-functional departments on a regular basis.

Your Work Location

As our Project Manager, Interior Design, you will either be based in our beautiful, state-of-the-art worldwide corporate headquarters in Rockville, MD or working remotely. Less than 15 miles from Washington, DC, we’re located directly across from the Rockville Metro station, with service on the Red Line and the MARC Brunswick line, easy access to I-270, and plenty of free parking provided by Choice Hotels.

Right now, our associates in Rockville, MD are working in a hybrid environment, up to 4 days per week in the office and virtual from your home office the remaining days. We provide flexibility and encourage ongoing communication with your leadership to establish expectations about your unique needs.

About Choice Choice Hotels International, Inc.

(NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. With nearly 7,500 hotels, representing nearly 630,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories as of September 30, 2022, the Choice® family of hotel brands provides business and leisure travelers with a range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upper upscale, upper mid-scale, midscale, extended-stay, and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges® loyalty program offers members a faster way to rewards, with personalized benefits starting on day one. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.

At our worldwide corporate headquarters in Rockville, MD and St. Louis Park, MN as well as our technology center in Scottsdale, AZ, and through our associates around the globe, we keep Choice hotels thriving by serving as a champion for our franchisees and providing cutting-edge technology.

* PLEASE NOTE: This role is not eligible for sponsorship *

Ability to model Choice’s Cultural Values: Welcome and Respect Everyone, Be Bold, Be Quick, Listen, Be Curious and Show Integrity.

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Visit http://careers.choicehotels.com to learn more.