Design Director (Workplace)

Vocon Design, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design firm in New York is seeking a Design Director to oversee commercial interior design projects and drive business development. The ideal candidate will have 12 years of experience in corporate interiors, strong design leadership, and excellent interpersonal skills. Key responsibilities include leading project teams, maintaining client relationships, and ensuring design work aligns with client goals. The position requires a degree in Interior Design or Architecture and knowledge of industry standards. This role promotes an inclusive workplace and encourages diverse applicants.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in commercial design with a focus on corporate interiors.
• Proven expertise in design leadership and project administration.
• Ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead project teams from concept through execution.
• Define and champion the design leadership vision.
• Drive business development efforts and represent the firm at events.

Skills

Design leadership

Project management

Interpersonal communication

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Technical knowledge of design

Negotiation skills

Education

Degree in Interior Design or Architecture

Professional license

NCIDQ, WELL and/or LEED accreditation

Tools

REVIT(BIM)

Enscape

Bluebeam

AutoCAD

Adobe Suite

Microsoft Office

Newforma

Job description

Design Director

Overview

The Design Director is a senior creative leader responsible for commercial interior design leadership. This position will bridge the gap between creative vision and practical execution, ensuring that all design work aligns with brand standards, client goals, and business objectives. The Design Director will lead the development and orchestration of the design, combining strong conceptual vision with the ability to translate interior design and architectural ideas into built form. This role embraces sound business strategy to ensure design solutions align with project goals and client value.

Responsibilities

Leadership Responsibilities

• Define and champion the design leadership vision, providing design inspiration and direction.
• Effectively communicate and implement key strategic design initiatives and act as an influential “voice” of design.
• Foster a collaborative interdisciplinary design culture while motivating employees to reach their full potential.
• Uphold professional standards in daily operations, promoting a culture of excellence.
• Work closely with design staff across the firm to promote an interdisciplinary design approach and philosophy, and to facilitate its advancement.

Project Responsibilities

• Maintain and strengthen client relationships, ensuring satisfaction and ongoing business.
• Lead project teams from concept through execution, ensuring high-quality design documentation.
• Monitor project budgets and profitability, making sure financial targets are met.
• Collaborate with internal teams to integrate design, technical, and operational considerations.

Business Development/Marketing Responsibilities

• Drive business development efforts, identifying and pursuing new opportunities.
• Focus on global relationship building, recruiting and service integration.
• Collaborate with Marketing to develop proposals, presentations, and promotional materials.
• Represent the firm at industry events, enhancing visibility and reputation.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, fostering trust and loyalty.

Capabilities

• Proven expertise in design leadership, firm advancement and stewardship.
• Extensive knowledge of materials, furnishings, construction methodologies, building codes and regulations.
• Mastery of design and production procedures and internal quality assurance processes.
• Expert understanding of the components of construction drawings and specifications, and the ability to review documentation prepared by others for compliance with the design intent.
• Demonstrated abilities concerning project execution and administration.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, consultants, contractors and staff and have the people skills to negotiate effectively.
• Ability to motivate and supervise the work of others.
• Possess excellent interpersonal, verbal, written and graphic communication skills.
• Broad-based understanding of project management, and spreadsheet software.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with various situations concurrently.
• Possesses a thorough knowledge of contract administration procedures for professional services and consultants.
• Ability to supervise the responsibilities of multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with all levels of management and staff.
• Possess excellent organizational skills.
• Proficiency in REVIT(BIM), Enscape, Bluebeam, Newforma, AutoCAD, Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office and other applicable programs.

Qualifications

• Degree in Interior Design or Architecture from an accredited university.
• Professional license preferred.
• NCIDQ, WELL and/or LEED accreditation is a plus.
• Twelve (12) plus years of experience in commercial design, with a proven background in corporate interiors and workplace design.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, arrest or conviction record (in accordance with applicable law), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.