Senior Director, Workplace Strategy & Design Studio

Genentech; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 191,000 - 355,000; Full time

Job summary

Genentech in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a visionary leader to head the Workplace Strategy & Design Studio within Workplace Delivery. You will define long-range strategy and ensure disciplined execution across campus initiatives.

You will lead a cross-functional team, align interior architecture, lab design, furniture standards, and procurement coordination with business units, shaping an employee-centric, science-enabled workplace that supports our culture and mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, Business Administration, Organizational Dynamics, or related discipline.
• Professional licensure in Architecture or Engineering (California preferred).
• 15+ years of progressive experience in workplace strategy, real estate, interior architecture/design, and/or engineering with change management experience and multi-site occupancy planning exposure.
• 5+ years of direct line management of technical subject matter experts and/or design teams.
• Demonstrated success in leading client-facing organizations and multi-year strategic initiatives.
• Experience working with A/E firms in regulated environments; biotech/pharma familiarity desirable.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the enterprise workplace strategy and design vision for the SSF campus and related sites.
• Build, lead, and inspire the integrated Workplace Strategy & Design Studio into a cohesive organization.
• Provide strategic direction for interior architecture, lab design, and furniture/workplace configuration strategies.
• Translate Genentech’s culture, brand, and mission into the physical environment via placemaking and cultural programs.
• Serve as a strategic workplace advisor to major business units for multi-year space strategies across campus environments.
• Oversee technical standards and guidelines across sites.
• Lead change initiatives related to workplace transformation, hybrid work, and campus evolution.

Skills

Workplace strategy

Change management

Leadership

Budget management

Client-facing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture or related field

Job description

Why Genentech

The Position

We’re passionate about delivering on Our Promise to improve the lives of patients and create healthier communities for all. We foster a culture of inclusivity, integrity and creativity while boldly pursuing answers to the world’s most complex health challenges and transforming society.

Genentech is establishing a strategically focused Workplace Delivery Team responsible for the end‑to‑end delivery of all workplace solutions for the South San Francisco campus and key satellite sites. We are seeking a visionary, enterprise‑minded senior leader to lead the Workplace Strategy & Design Studio within Workplace Delivery. This role is both strategic and operational, responsible for defining the long‑range agenda and ensuring disciplined execution across a large, complex set of campus and portfolio initiatives.

The Opportunity

In this pivotal role, you will be accountable for workplace strategy and technical standards; Interior architecture, interior design, and workplace standards; lab and technical design, including lab planning, lab automation, and robotics integration strategies; furniture strategy and standards; and contracts and procurement coordination related to workplace design.

You will set and execute the workplace strategy and design vision for Genentech’s South San Francisco campus and related sites, aligning with major business units. Acting as a strategic integrator, you will provide a unified “one-voice” perspective across business units, shaping an employee-centric, science-enabled workplace that amplifies our culture and mission. You will also evolve the Workplace Strategy & Design Studio’s operating model and governance to match business needs, while partnering with the campus development team to integrate new workplace standards across existing and future portfolios.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own the enterprise workplace strategy and design vision for the SSF campus and related sites, ensuring alignment with scientific, manufacturing, and corporate priorities.
• Build, lead, and inspire the integrated Workplace Strategy & Design Studio, consolidating existing functions into a single, cohesive organization.
• Provide strategic direction to the Design Studio responsible for interior architecture and interior design across offices, labs, and technical spaces; lab and technical design, including lab planning, lab automation, and robotics; and furniture and workplace configuration strategies
• Translate Genentech’s culture, brand, and scientific mission into the physical environment through campus placemaking, art, and cultural programs that foster community, belonging, and inspiration
• Serve as a strategic workplace advisor to major business untis, translating business strategies, headcount projections, technology shifts, and work practices into multi‑year space and workplace strategies across office, lab, and plant environments.
• Oversee technical standards and guidelines, ensuring coherence across South San Francisco and relevant network sites.
• Lead complex change initiatives related to workplace transformation, hybrid work, lab reconfiguration, and campus evolution, ensuring high adoption and minimal disruption

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical or related field), Business Administration, Organizational Dynamics, or a related discipline.
• Professional licensure in Architecture or Engineering (California preferred) highly desirable.
• 15+ years of progressive business experience in workplace strategy, real estate, interior architecture/design, and/or engineering, with extensive workplace strategy and change management experience, and significant exposure to campus occupancy planning and complex multi‑site environments
• 5+ years of direct line management of technical subject matter experts and/or design teams
• Demonstrated success in leading client‑facing organizations and multi‑year strategic initiatives
• Proven track record managing large, complex project portfolios and significant budgets, consistently meeting performance metrics and driving cost savings
• Demonstrated success working with A/E consulting firms in highly technical, regulated environments; biotech/pharma experience and familiarity with cGMP, Pharma Quality System, and manufacturing processes are desirable.

Location

• This position is based in South San Francisco, CA campus
• Relocation assistance is not available at this time.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of California is $190,900.00- $354,500 USD. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company\'s policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.