Associate Principal, Workplace Design Leader

SOM; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SOM is seeking an Associate Principal – Director of Workplace Design to lead interior workplace projects from pursuit to construction, translating client goals into compelling design. The role demands strong leadership, client management, and interdisciplinary coordination across teams, with emphasis on sustainable, wellness-forward workplaces.

The candidate will guide design development, manage staff, and contribute to business growth within SOM’s interiors practice, with compensation typical

Qualifications

• Professional degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience, or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Professional licensure in the state of practice or NCIDQ certification; LEED accreditation preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading corporate, commercial, institutional, or other complex workplace interiors projects.
• Thorough knowledge of workplace planning, interior architecture, FF&E, building systems, codes, and construction practices.
• Strong client-service, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of workplace interiors projects across multiple phases from pursuit through construction administration.
• Translate client goals and program requirements into spatial concepts and compelling design narratives.
• Lead workplace planning, test fits, programming, adjacency studies, and design development.
• Establish design direction and coordinate with architectural, engineering, branding, and technology teams.
• Plan, organize, direct, mentor, and coordinate project teams with limited oversight.
• Build and maintain client and stakeholder relationships through clear communication.
• Lead development of design deliverables, renderings, diagrams, and FF&E concepts.
• Oversee materials, finishes, furniture, and building systems alignment with budget and schedule.
• Guide teams through DD, permitting, bidding, and construction administration.
• Coordinate with engineers, contractors, vendors, and consultants to ensure quality.
• Lead project document reviews and quality-control per SOM standards.
• Resolve design, technical, and coordination challenges through research and collaboration.
• Participate in scheduling, staffing, fee development, and financial coordination.
• Advance sustainable and resilient design strategies including wellness and material health.
• Maintain documentation quality across teams and phases.
• Contribute to marketing, proposals, and client presentations.
• Support development of workplace interiors standards and best practices.

Skills

Interior design

Interior architecture

Architecture

Client management

Team leadership

Business development

Presentation skills

Education

Professional degree in Interior Design/Interior Architecture/Architecture

NCIDQ certification

LEED accreditation

Tools

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

Rhino

Enscape

Navisworks

AutoCAD

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Job description

SOM is seeking an Associate Principal – Director of Workplace Design to lead interior workplace projects from pursuit to construction, translating client goals into compelling design. The role demands strong leadership, client management, and interdisciplinary coordination across teams, with emphasis on sustainable, wellness-forward workplaces.

The candidate will guide design development, manage staff, and contribute to business growth within SOM’s interiors practice, with compensation typical