Junior Project Manager

The Company:

Czarnowski is one of the four studios of the Czarnowski Collective. It combines operations, strategy, design, and fabrication to create exhibits and events that engage communities, generate brand enthusiasm, and educate consumers. It’s been over 75 years since we opened our doors, but we are still not resting on our reputation or accolades. We are wondering “what if...” anticipating what is next and embracing our role within the Czarnowski Collective as forward-thinkers for forward-thinking brands.  

Joining the Czarnowski Collective means the opportunity to be more than a number, more than a job title, more than a spectator. We are a collective of dreamers and thinkers, doers, and makers…and we are searching for more of the same to join the ranks.

The Purpose:

As a Project Manager, you are responsible for managing daily project operations, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and at a high-quality standard. This role involves coordinating planning, implementation, and finalization of projects, particularly within exhibit fabrication, and commercial construction projects. The Project Manager must understand construction methodologies, labor, materials, equipment, and cost factors to prepare accurate and competitive estimates. This role also requires collaboration with the Detroit Project Management team and contributing to the strategic direction of the account.

The Job:

• This person will be trained to undertake and understand the below responsibilities over time through mentorship from other Project Managers in the department.
  • Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, and prepare associated documentation.
• Manage projects to timelines and budget constraints. Develop and track budgets.
• Meet financial objectives by forecasting, preparing annual budgets, reconciling projects, analyzing variances, and initiating corrective actions.
• Ensuring quality control throughout project cycle.
• Supply chain management from fabrication facilities and vendors, and supplier partners.
• Yearly, seasonally, and project-level planning for exhibit program fabrication and refurb.
• Provide timeline support, critical paths, work scheduling and facilitate weekly meetings.
• Continuous exploration of opportunities to add value to process and project deliverables.
• Proactively manages changes in project scope.
• Identifies potential risks and develops effective response plans.
• Extensive collaboration and communication with fabrication facilities, as well as project-based vendors and other contract agencies.
• Manage multiple overlapping projects and shows in various stages of completion.
• Lead projects through planning, fabrication, and installation. Facilitate issue resolution, escalating when appropriate.
• Work directly with Project Management and development teams on scope, timing, and details of new projects.
• Extensive collaboration and communication with fabrication facilities, as well as project-based vendors and other contract agencies.
• Timely estimating reviews with Project Management leadership, Account Teams, fabrication facilities, and vendors.
• Yearly, seasonally, and project-level estimate planning for brand program fabrication and refurb.
• Track variances between estimated cost and actual cost to effectively evaluate the adequacy and accuracy of estimating parameters.
• Manage multiple overlapping estimating projects in various stages of completion.
• Liaison between the GM Account & Design Teams in Detroit, and the various Czarnowski Graphic production shops throughout the U.S.
• Solve on-site graphic issues as they arise.
• Collaboration with Austell/Las Vegas Fabric and Graphic Project Managers
• Enter all production work that is run through the Czarnowski Operation Management System (COMS), Czarnowski's web-based workflow system.
• Manage the Graphics Matrix with Account & Design to track project needs, coordinate production location, and identify use of existing inventory.
• Review engineering drawings with Shop PM/GPMs to ensure accuracy and fitment of graphics.
• Analyze/Export Fabric/Graphic Element Lists (FEL/GEL) for production.
• Check all aspects of GLOs and art files prior to submitting to production.
• Approval of production proofs

The Person:

• Ability to recognize and recommend alternative designs/scope definitions which support consistency, standardization, and cost competitiveness.
• Estimating and understanding of materials and exhibit fabrication techniques.
• Basic understanding of exhibit-based fabrication methods and installation techniques utilizing creative thought processes and experience to produce production-based cost estimates.
• Has the ability to prioritize, multi-task and work effectively under pressure.
• Can work both individually and in a team environment.
• Provide effective leadership.
• Ability to be flexible in a dynamic, client-service oriented work environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both verbally and in writing.
• Comfortable operating and communicating in a highly collaborative team environment working with various levels of professional disciplines and providing effective leadership.
• Has the ability to prioritize, multi-task and work effectively under pressure.
• Basic understanding of engineering and structural applications and practices and the ability to read and interpret engineering, fabrication, and installation drawings. Scope may include single-use, temporary, semi-permanent and permanent exhibit environments.
• Basic understanding of engineering and structural applications and practices.
• Working knowledge of convention center environments (unions, labor, electrical, stagehands, transportation/loading docks, etc.)
• Extensive knowledge of supplier networks and sourcing.
• Working knowledge of regional labor costs and tax rates.
• Advanced computer proficiency with experience in Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Project, OneNote)

What We Offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits effective within 30 days (or less) of your start date
• 401K matching with no vesting period (you are fully vested as of day 1)
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Collaborative Work Environment

Collective Culture Core Values:

We recognize that the success of our business rests with the skills and efforts of our people, and in return for their contributions, our employees can expect a flexible work environment that delivers on the 10 principles that define our company culture:

• We celebrate creativity, curiosity, innovation and imagination.
• We are humble and respectful.
• We act with honesty and integrity.
• We empower and trust one another.
• We embrace individuality and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• We champion initiatives that bolster diversity, equity and inclusion.
• We prioritize safe, ethical and sustainable business practices.
• We foster a culture of meritocracy - rewarding skills and abilities, instead of influence.
• We always deliver.
• We don’t take ourselves too seriously.

Through several existing and future initiatives, Czarnowski Collective is exploring thoughtful and creative ways to embrace individuality, and more effectively champion diversity, equity and inclusion across our network.

EEO Statement

Czarnowski Collective is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We don't just accept difference – we honor, nurture, and celebrate it! All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We don’t discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.