Senior Workplace Interiors Leader | Strategy & Hybrid Work

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision benefits

Retirement support

Career development & mentorship

Paid holidays & time off

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) seeks an Associate Principal – Workplace Interior Designer to lead workplace interiors projects from pursuit through construction. You will translate client goals into compelling interior environments, lead planning, and guide teams with limited oversight from a Principal or Partner.

The role emphasizes design leadership, client management, interdisciplinary coordination, and advancing sustainable workplace strategies across projects in a collaborative, global

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 required; LEED accreditation preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading corporate, commercial, institutional, or other complex workplace interiors projects.
• Thorough knowledge of workplace planning, interior architecture, programming, design development, construction documentation, construction administration, FF&E, materials, building systems, applicable codes, and construction practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of workplace interiors projects across multiple phases, from pursuit and programming through construction administration.
• Translate client goals, workplace strategies, user needs, data, and program requirements into clear spatial concepts and compelling design narratives.
• Lead workplace planning, test fits, programming, adjacency studies, space standards, and conceptual design development.
• Establish and communicate design direction while integrating architectural, engineering, branding, technology, lighting, sustainability, and other interdisciplinary criteria.
• Plan, organize, direct, mentor, and coordinate project teams with limited oversight from a Principal or Partner.
• Build and maintain strong client, consultant, and stakeholder relationships through clear communication, responsiveness, and proactive problem solving.
• Lead the development of design Deliverables, presentations, renderings, diagrams, material palettes, FF&E concepts, and project narratives.
• Oversee the selection and application of materials, finishes, furniture, fixtures, equipment, and building systems in alignment with design intent, performance, budget, and schedule.
• Guide teams through design development, construction documentation, permitting, bidding, and construction administration, as applicable.
• Coordinate with consulting engineers, contractors, vendors, and specialty consultants to support design quality and successful project execution.
• Lead project document reviews and quality-control processes in accordance with SOM standards and procedures.
• Resolve complex design, technical, operational, and coordination challenges through research, collaboration, and sound professional judgment.
• Participate in project planning, scheduling, staffing, fee development, scope definition, and financial coordination.
• Advance sustainable and resilient design strategies, including wellness, material health, accessibility, and carbon-conscious design principles.
• Maintain consistency, accuracy, and quality of project documentation across teams and project phases.
• Participate in marketing, business development, and proposal efforts supporting workplace interiors and workplace strategy services.
• Contribute to pitch materials, interviews, client presentations, conferences, and other external communications.

Skills

Workplace interiors

Project leadership

Client relationship management

Team mentoring

BIM/CAD standards

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

Rhino

Coordination

Education

Professional degree in Interior Design/Interior Architecture/Architecture

NCIDQ certification or licensure

LEED accreditation preferred

Tools

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

Rhino

Enscape

Navisworks

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) seeks an Associate Principal – Workplace Interior Designer to lead workplace interiors projects from pursuit through construction. You will translate client goals into compelling interior environments, lead planning, and guide teams with limited oversight from a Principal or Partner.

The role emphasizes design leadership, client management, interdisciplinary coordination, and advancing sustainable workplace strategies across projects in a collaborative, global