West Coast Interiors Lead

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

401K matching

Flexible schedules

Paid family leave

Paid vacation

Employee assistance program

Professional development reimbursement

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) seeks a design leader to guide the San Francisco and Los Angeles interiors studios, setting a new vision for West Coast interior design for AI, tech and entertainment clients. You will collaborate with firm leaders to inspire teams, share opportunities, and elevate SOM’s interiors portfolio.

Requirements include a professional degree in Interior or Architecture, 12+ years of experience, LEED accreditation, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Completion of a professional degree in Interior or Architecture or a related field.
• Licensed in state of practice; LEED or other green building accreditation preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with appropriate software.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Interiors practice on the West Coast (San Francisco and Los Angeles) to achieve design, technical and financial success.
• Develop strategies to build and inspire teams and enhance studio culture; mentor staff.
• Drive business development, manage project pipelines, and cultivate client relationships.
• Oversee studio management, risk, contracts, and quality control across all phases of projects.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Verbal and written communication

Sustainability knowledge

Software familiarity

Education

Professional degree in Interior or Architecture

LEED accreditation

Job description

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things.

Success at SOM Means Ideas

We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm.

Knowledge

We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge.

Product

We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work.

Individual

We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm.

Team

We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential.

Firm

We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.

Position Overview

Lead the San Francisco and Los Angeles Interiors studios to set a new vision for the design and delivery of Interior Design for the West Coast including the unique culture and markets in this region such as design for AI, Tech and Entertainment clients. Work in collaboration with leaders across the firm to inspire each other, share ideas and opportunities and contribute to SOM’s global expertise and portfolio. Goals for the position include strengthening and growing the West Coast and firmwide interiors practice through: fostering an environment that supports design excellence, exceptional management of projects and the studio, business development, process improvements, talent development and effective collaboration to leverage the firmwide portfolio and elevate the interiors practice.

Practice Leadership & Culture

Lead the Interiors practice through close collaboration with West Coast studio leadership to achieve design, technical and financial success. Provide thought leadership and development of strategies to build and inspire teams, and to enhance studio culture. Lead by example, participate in staff mentoring and training, clearly define team member expectations and responsibilities, empower others, and delegate where appropriate, based on team members' recognized abilities and potential. Demonstrate team and project experience inclusive of managing client relationships, and project teams for small, medium and large-scale corporate, hospitality and/or residential interiors projects. Engage in internal and external professional development opportunities.

Business Development & Strategy

Cultivate business development by leading marketing efforts, formulating strategic business plans, and managing the project pipeline. Contribute to strategic business plans. Manage existing project pipeline and new business and marketing efforts. Review RFPs, qualify bids, assign due dates and tasks to key collaborators, and provide responses. Cultivate strong client relationships and provide excellent client service.

Studio Management

Be accountable for monitoring the financial performance of the studio. Plan, organize, direct, mentor, and coordinate work efforts for the technical, design and or management aspects of a project team, through all phases of a project, with minimal oversight from Principal and/or Partner. Oversee project plans with input from Design and Technical leads. Contribute to the development of standards, policies, and procedures. Assess project risk management through close collaboration with SOM leaders and our legal group. Proactively participate in project documents reviews (design phase documents, technical documents and or project management tools/documents) and is accountable for quality control of associated documents in accordance with SOM’s quality control program. Mitigate project risk through familiarity with contract and close collaboration with leadership and legal teams. Oversee internal controls including client agreements, additional services, billings, collections, and expense management.

Technical & Design Excellence

Lead and deliver creative and innovative solutions to complex problems and guide team in the development of appropriate research and documentation to support these solutions. Provide technical/design/management leadership and support for the development of the entire design concept through all phases of a project in collaboration with partners and principals. Demonstrate knowledge of Interiors and Architecture Industry Best Practices, including programming, planning, design, construction documentation and construction administration, as well as consulting engineering engagement and coordination. Demonstrate knowledge of Interior Architecture and Architectural design and leading teams through workplace planning and design concept development (hospitality and or residential as applicable), design and detailing standards, building materials, building systems, current and applicable building and fire codes, FF&E, construction techniques and current market costs. Demonstrate leadership in terms of implementing SOM standard procedures and protocols for the technical, design and or management aspects of a project to assure continuity, coordination and consistency of project documentation across the firm in support of overall office wide goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a professional degree in Interior or Architecture or a related field.
• Licensed in state of practice; LEED or other green building accreditation preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Strong understanding of sustainable strategies and principles including familiarity with LEED or other green building rating systems.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with appropriate software.

Benefits

• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance
• Savings: 401K matching, pre-tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs
• Work/Life Balance: Inquire about our approach to flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program
• Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in-house career development
• Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $150,000 to $200,000.

Our Culture

Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. Here, you’ll collaborate with industry experts on some of the most exciting and transformative architecture, engineering, and planning projects in the world. We believe an inclusive environment improves our teams, our firm, and our communities and are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our DEI Action Plan was created to bring meaningful change to our profession, starting with our own culture and practices. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Portfolios must be submitted for all design and project management positions (Architecture, Interiors, City Design, Graphics, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a global practice of architects, engineers, and planners renowned for designing buildings, interiors, and public spaces that push the boundaries of technical and environmental innovation. Our interdisciplinary teams collaborate across an international network of studios to deliver projects of lasting impact. Through our built work, research, and advocacy, we are advancing strategies to decarbonize the built environment. Learn more about our commitment to climate action. Working at SOM Our practice was built to champion inclusivity of expertise, people, and ideas. Together, we cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset that equips our teams to face new challenges. Our studio culture offers opportunities for mentorship, growth, and leadership across project teams, offices, and employee resource groups. SOM is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, and we have been recognized with the highest ranking awarded on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index. We publish an annual Impact Report as part of our ongoing commitment to advancing equity in our practice and the profession. Notice to Applicants Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.