Senior Interior Designer

SGA (Boston | New York); New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SGA, an award-winning national architecture and design firm, seeks a Senior Interior Designer for its New York City office to lead and deliver exceptional interior design projects. The role emphasizes corporate interiors with opportunities in multifamily residential and hospitality sectors, mentoring juniors and growing SGA’s New York practice.

You will report to the Principal of Interior Design and collaborate with project teams, clients, and external consultants to balance creative vision with

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of professional interior design experience, including leadership of projects from concept through construction.
• Strong portfolio of corporate interiors and workplace projects; additional multifamily residential and hospitality experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related field from an accredited university.

Responsibilities

• Provide creative and technical leadership for interior design projects across New York and Boston offices.
• Lead design process from concept development through construction documentation and project completion.
• Direct design development, space planning, finishes, furniture specs, and presentations.
• Lead design reviews, code reviews, and interdisciplinary coordination to ensure quality and compliance.
• Apply department procedures and guidelines while identifying process improvements.
• Mentor junior designers and collaborate with Project Managers, architects, consultants, and clients.

Skills

Emotional Intelligence

Team Engagement

Exceptional Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related field

NCIDQ Certification or RA Licensure

LEED / WELL / FitWel accreditation (preferred)

Tools

Revit

Ajera

Other design software

Google Workspace

Job description

SGA, an award-winning national architecture and design firm, is recognized for delivering innovative design solutions across its core markets. We are seeking a Senior Interior Designer to join our New York City office and play a key role in delivering exceptional interior design projects.

The ideal candidate is an experienced design professional with a strong portfolio of corporate interiors and workplace projects, complemented by experience in multifamily residential and hospitality design. This individual will demonstrate design excellence, technical expertise, strong client relationship skills, and the ability to lead project teams from concept development through construction.

Reporting to the Principal of Interior Design, the Senior Interior Designer will provide creative and technical leadership across multiple projects, working closely with Project Managers, architects, consultants, and clients to deliver thoughtful, innovative, and functional design solutions. The role requires an individual who can balance creative vision with project budgets, schedules, technical requirements, and client expectations.

The Senior Interior Designer will also play an important role in mentoring junior designers, strengthening client relationships, and contributing to the continued growth and success of SGA's New York interior design practice while collaborating with colleagues across the New York and Boston offices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES

Interior Design

• Provide creative and technical leadership for interior design projects, fostering collaboration among interior designers, architects, consultants, and project teams across SGA's New York and Boston offices.
• Lead the design process from concept development through construction documentation and project completion, ensuring design excellence, technical accuracy, and alignment with client objectives, project budgets, and schedules.
• Direct design development, space planning, material and finish selections, furniture specifications, and design presentations to deliver innovative, functional, and thoughtful interior environments.
• Lead and participate in design reviews, code reviews, and interdisciplinary coordination to ensure design quality, technical compliance, and consistency with SGA's design standards and project requirements.
• Apply established departmental procedures, design guidelines, and quality-control measures while identifying opportunities to improve design processes, technical documentation, and project delivery.
• Demonstrate expertise in corporate interiors and workplace design, complemented by experience in multifamily residential and hospitality projects. Apply industry knowledge, emerging trends, and best practices to guide design decisions and deliver successful projects.

Business Development + Client Relationships

• Support business development initiatives to expand SGA’s interior design portfolio, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to the continued growth of the New York interior design practice.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with existing clients while developing connections with prospective clients, owners, developers, and industry partners to identify opportunities and generate new business.
• Identify opportunities to expand SGA’s presence throughout New York City and the tri-state area, leveraging project experience, industry knowledge, and professional relationships to support practice growth.
• Collaborate with the Principal of Interior Design, Project Managers, and the marketing department to develop proposals and qualifications packages, including project scopes, fees, budgets, schedules, and responses to RFPs, RFQs, and RFEIs.
• Participate in client meetings, presentations, interviews, and networking events to communicate SGA’s design capabilities, strengthen client relationships, and support the pursuit of new projects.
• Collaborate with the Principal of Interior Design and firm leadership to identify market opportunities, contribute to business development strategies, and support the New York interior design practice’s growth objectives.

Project Delivery + Financial Performance

• Lead the design execution and coordination of interior design projects ensuring design deliverables meet client expectations, project requirements, established budgets, and schedules.
• Collaborate with Project Managers to develop and maintain project schedules, staffing plans, budgets, and scopes of work, ensuring efficient resource allocation and timely project delivery.
• Demonstrate strong business acumen by managing design efforts within established project budgets, monitoring progress, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and other project stakeholders to resolve design and technical challenges while maintaining alignment with project objectives and contractual requirements.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with clients and project teams, proactively addressing project challenges, managing expectations, and supporting successful project outcomes.
• Support project quality control, documentation reviews, and construction administration activities to ensure design intent is maintained throughout project delivery.

Marketing + Public Relations

• Maintain a strong understanding of interior design trends, market dynamics, client needs, and the competitive landscape to support SGA's marketing and business development initiatives.
• Collaborate with SGA's marketing department to develop project profiles, award submissions, proposals, presentations, and other promotional materials that showcase the firm's design expertise and completed work.
• Contribute design expertise and project insights to thought leadership initiatives, including articles, industry publications, social media content, press releases, and other marketing communications.
• Represent SGA at industry events, networking functions, conferences, and professional association activities, building relationships and increasing awareness of the firm's interior design capabilities.
• Identify opportunities to promote SGA's projects and design achievements through speaking engagements, design competitions, industry awards, and editorial features.

Team Development

• Foster a collaborative, supportive, and accountable team environment that encourages design excellence, knowledge sharing, and professional development.
• Collaborate with the Principal of Interior Design to assess team capabilities, identify training opportunities, and provide input on employee performance and development.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE DEMONSTRATES:

• Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrates self-awareness, empathy, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills. Builds positive working relationships and approaches challenges with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Team Engagement: Contributes to SGA's culture by setting a positive example, fostering collaboration, supporting colleagues, and actively participating in firm initiatives and activities.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Listen with an open mind and respect for others. Communicates clearly, confidently, and professionally with clients, colleagues, consultants, and project stakeholders.

EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 10 years of professional interior design experience, including demonstrated experience leading projects from concept design through construction.
• Strong portfolio of completed corporate interiors and workplace projects, with additional experience in multifamily residential and hospitality design.
• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related field from an accredited university.

CERTIFICATES + LICENSES | ASSOCIATIONS

• NCIDQ Certification or Register Architect (RA) Licensure is required.
• LEED and/or WELL and FitWel accreditation is preferred.
• Active member in applicable professional organization(s).

TECHNOLOGY

• Must possess a strong working knowledge of Revit and other design software.
• Embrace and learn other software platforms, including Google business products and Ajera, as required to perform the role effectively.

COMPENSATION + BENEFITS

The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is $100,000 - $130,000 commensurate with experience, qualifications, and demonstrated design and technical expertise.

SGA offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. SGA also offers a business development bonus program that rewards employees for securing new business opportunities. Additional performance-based incentive compensation may be available.