Strategic Designer and Assistant Project Manager

Archinect; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Archinect's client, Margaret Sullivan Studio, seeks a Strategic Designer/Assistant Project Manager with a focus on user-centered design and community-driven projects. Ideal candidates will have 4-7 years of experience in design strategy, strong project management skills, and a commitment to impactful public spaces.

Qualifications

• 4–7 years experience in design strategy and planning.
• Strong critical thinking skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Support Principal and Director in project execution.
• Manage projects through research, design, and client coordination.
• Conduct ethnographic research and analyze data for insights.

Skills

User research

Design strategy

Qualitative data analysis

Quantitative data analysis

Community engagement

Project management

Visual storytelling

Education

Undergraduate or master’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, Urban Design, Design Strategy, or similar fields

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

AutoCAD

Revit

GIS

Miro

Mural

Microsoft Teams

Job description

ABOUT MSS

Margaret Sullivan Studio is an award-winning full-service design firm. Our clients are forward-thinking civic and cultural institutions. We envision, program, and design educational and cultural institutions for the 21st century. Our studio is a national leader in developing new models for public spaces, libraries and performing arts centers. We work with many of the most important public cultural institutions across the country.

MSS is a Minority and Women-Owned Business based in NYC and is committed to attracting diverse talent and cultivating an inclusive environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, and all styles of thinking to succeed. We prioritize building a company and a community where all people thrive and are inspired to do their best.

JOB

Margaret Sullivan Studio (MSS) is seeking a motivated, collaborative individual to join our dynamic team as a Strategic Designer and Assistant Project Manager. The ideal candidate brings experience in strategy, planning, and user-centered design, with a strong interest in community-driven and impact-focused projects. We are looking for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong critical thinking skills — someone who approaches their work through the lenses of community, placemaking, social justice, service design, and social impact. This role will support senior team members in shaping and coordinating strategic planning projects, conducting research, developing ideas, and helping manage project timelines and deliverables to bring transformative spaces and services to life.

WHO YOU ARE

• Undergraduate or master’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, Urban Design, Design Strategy, Organizational Strategy, Brand Strategy or similar fields.

• 4–7 years in user research, design strategy, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, space programming, community engagement, and planning.

• Critical thinker grounded in placemaking, service design, and design thinking.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills with a proactive and friendly approach.

• Strong attention to detail and a passion for thoughtful execution, with the ability to rapidly iterate.

• Skilled in organizing, prioritizing, and managing multiple projects while supporting senior staff.

• Deep commitment to the power of public spaces to support health and well-being.

• Skilled in synthesizing complex ideas and creating compelling narratives with written, visual, and graphic content.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and digital collaboration tools (Miro, Mural, Microsoft Teams). Basic proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, GIS, and multimedia technologies is a plus.

PROJECT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Principal and Director of Strategic Design in executing the MSS brand, mission, and vision across projects.

• Assist in managing projects through all phases: from research and strategy to conception, design development, and client coordination.

• Build and maintain client relationships, supporting communication efforts and developing and presenting client materials.

• Collaborate with the leadership team on project planning and management, providing feedback on timelines and deliverables.

• Create verbal, written, and visual communications, emphasizing problem framing, visual storytelling, and information design.

• Conduct ethnographic research, analyze field data, and communicate actionable insights for design and innovation.

• Develop and facilitate vision sessions, focus groups, workshops, and interviews.

• Travel as required for project needs.