Project Manager

DailyObjects is a design-driven, homegrown lifestyle accessories brand deeply focused on creating products tailored for the Apple ecosystem and design-conscious consumers. With over 2M+ customers and 15M+ products sold, the brand is now aggressively expanding into offline retail through exclusive brand outlets (EBOs), high-street locations, airports &modern trade formats. We work with specialist partners like Story Studio (for store design) and MEP consultants (for technical services). We are seeking an in-house Projects Manager to ensure seamless execution of multiple parallel store projects and uphold our design, operational, and brand standards-across malls, high-street, tech parks, and especially travel retail formats like airports etc.

Role:

The Projects Manager will:

1) Own end-to-end project management for all new DO offline stores, including high-sensitivity locations like airport retail spaces.

2) Act as the primary interface between internal teams, external consultants, airport authorities, mall management, and vendors.

3) Lead design and execution of custom retail formats such as gondolas, kiosks, and inline stores suited for travel retail zones.

4) Maintain strict adherence to project timelines, budgets, and brand guidelines.

5) Ensure delivery of retail spaces that reflect DO's premium design ethos while complying with stringent airport / malls / asset regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Project Planning & Coordination

- Participate in site evaluations with business and design teams across all retail formats including airport terminals.

Coordinate with Story Studio to ensure:

- Designs meet both brand intent & operational feasibility.

- Custom formats like gondolas or small-footprint kiosks are well-integrated into high-footfall areas like departure lounges.

- Align MEP consultants with malls/airport-specific technical & clearance norms.

2. Budgeting & Cost Management

- Prepare and manage project budgets across formats, including higher-cost environments like airports.

- Optimize spend on customized fixture design for gondolas, wall bays, and modular pop-up formats.

- Track costs in real-time and escalate variances.

3. Execution & Site Management

- Prepare location-specific timelines including airport coordination schedules and permit timelines.

- Supervise fabrication and installation of modular retail formats (kiosks, gondolas, pop-ups) for travel retail.

- Ensure adherence to brand specs despite airport size, height, or branding limitations.

4. Travel Retail Format Management

- Collaborate closely with airport partners & retail concessionaires (e.g., Adani, GMR, BIAL) to understand design constraints and project expectations.

Coordinate approvals for airport fit outs, including:

- Security clearances

- Fire NOC

- BCAS documentation

- Develop and refine modular fixture systems (e.g., gondolas, pegboards., plug-and-play wall bays) that can be scaled & deployed efficiently across multiple airports.

- Build relationships with travel retail-focused contractors and vendors for faster TAT and mobility.

5. Vendor & Partner Management

- Empanel specialist vendors for airport and travel retail projects.

- Track and measure execution efficiency, quality benchmarks, and TAT across vendors.

6. Reporting & Documentation

- Provide regular updates to senior management including site photos, snag lists, and execution milestones.

- Maintain project folders including fixture shop drawings, approvals from airport retail authorities, and post-handover audit reports.

- Proactively raise alerts for any delays or site-specific risks.

Skills &Experience Required:

1) 5-10 years of experience in retail projects, preferably across:

- Lifestyle brands

- Travel retail (airports, lounges)

- QSR chains or premium kiosk-based formats

2) Strong understanding of:

- Interior fit-outs and modular store design

- MEP drawings and integration in non-traditional retail spaces

- Vendor coordination and airport compliance

3) Excellent project planning and budgeting skills.

4) Experience handling airport projects (preferred).

5) Ability to manage multiple projects across cities, with a travel-first mindset.

6) Educational Qualifications - Degree/Diploma in:

- Civil Engineering

- Architecture

- Interior Design

- Construction Management