Job Captain - Living Interiors

HKS; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

HKS in Chicago seeks an experienced Interior Designer to lead project design efforts, supervise the team, and ensure alignment with QA/QC standards and client objectives. The role collaborates with PMs and clients to deliver documentation and design development across interiors projects.

The candidate will develop concepts, coordinate with consultants, and supervise documentation, ensuring code compliance and successful project delivery while advancing sustainable design practices.

Qualifications

• Accredited professional degree in Interior Design or Architecture.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates team efforts to facilitate effective execution of project design and the delivery of implementation documents.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Communication

Presentation skills

Collaboration

Deadline orientation

Education

Accredited professional degree in Interior Design or Architecture

Tools

Revit

Bluebeam

Rhino

Grasshopper

Photoshop

InDesign

Dynamo

Twinmotion

Enscape

Navisworks

MS Office

Job description

Overview:

An established professional who exercises independent judgment in evaluation, selection and use of standard techniques, and solves problems when encountered. Manages the firm’s resources (people, processes and tools) and assignments with proficiency, fluency and aptitude. Teaches and mentors staff and effectively embodies and expresses the firm’s values and mission.

This position is anticipated to begin in January 2027.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinates team efforts to facilitate effective execution of project design and the delivery of implementation documents
• Works with PIC/PM in defining project work plans and developing and managing the production schedule, including effectively defining and meeting deadlines
• Collaborates in developing solutions to technical and design detail problems with minimal guidance
• Utilizes creative thinking to achieve innovative solutions
• Contributes to supervising the preparation of documents by project team, including verifying implementation documents conform to QA/QC and HKS standards, best practice and quality expectations
• Assists with the development of interiors concepts based on client vision, desire and architectural concept
• May assist with technical resolution and coordination for a defined portion of a project
• Prepares client presentations and may present design concepts and drawings
• Coordinates with PM, clients, public agencies, consultants and contractors to incorporate engineering systems, to respond to requests for information, clarifications and modifications and to obtain approvals and adjust scope of services
• Communicates with other disciplines, product representatives, furniture dealers, fabricators and contractors to incorporate all information into project requirements
• Exercises skills of persuasion and negotiation on critical issues
• Performs product research; assists project designers with materials and systems evaluation to make proper selections
• Develops code analysis and confirms code and zoning requirements for assigned segment of project are met
• Participates in the selection and presentation of furniture, furniture systems, fabrics, equipment (FF&E), color palettes and lighting
• Coordinates with project team on review and approval of final interior and exterior programming, design development documents, construction documents, furnishings selections and purchases, RFIs and submittals
• May lead team meetings to discuss project and technical issues
• May attend on-site visits, field reviews, project meetings and coordination meetings and documents these visits as appropriate
• May lead consultant team work sessions and prepare meeting minutes for coordination meetings

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Accredited professional degree in Interior Design, Architecture or equivalent in education or experience
• Typically 6+ years of experience
• Multi-family, hospitality experience preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• NCIDQ certification or architectural license strongly preferred
• Sustainable design accreditation strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Advanced – expert-level experience, knowledge or skills

Intermediate – experience, knowledge or skills required to produce high-quality solutions or work

Basic – familiar with primary concepts or capabilities and can perform elementary functions

• Advanced experience and skills in Revit and Bluebeam required
• Intermediate experience and skills in Rhino, Grasshopper, Photoshop, InDesign and Dynamo required
• Intermediate experience in Twinmotion, Enscape or other visualization tools required
• Intermediate skills in virtual reality such as VR headsets and Yulio required
• Basic skills in AI design tools and Illustrator required
• Basic knowledge of furniture specifications software required, and of Navisworks preferred
• Intermediate skills in MS Office Suite preferred
• Intermediate knowledge of sustainability and integrated design guidelines required
• Intermediate knowledge of architectural building systems, accessibility guidelines and QA/QC process required
• Intermediate knowledge of building codes and ability to research and incorporate into technical documents required
• Intermediate experience with FF&E to carry out design intent preferred
• Intermediate experience with managing and performing duties in a fast-paced environment required
• Intermediate presentation skills required
• Intermediate organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time required
• Basic ability to maintain existing client relationships and build new client relationships required
• Basic ability to communicate in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writing required
• Intermediate ability to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment required
• Advanced ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality required
• Travel may be required

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HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran