Workplace Design Lead

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

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) seeks an Associate Principal - Workplace Interior Designer to lead interior initiatives from pursuit through construction administration. The role translates client goals, workplace research, and program requirements into high-performing interiors.

Leading project teams with limited oversight, you will drive design direction, coordinate interdisciplinary teams, mentor staff, and contribute to SOM's workplace interiors growth while advancing wellness,

Qualifications

• Professional design leadership in workplace interiors.
• 10+ years of professional experience in relevant sectors.
• Licensed or NCIDQ certified; LEED preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead workplace interiors projects across multiple phases from pursuit to construction.
• Coordinate with E/C/branding/technology teams to meet design intent and budgets.
• Mentor teams and develop business through marketing and proposals.
• Ensure quality-control and BIM/CAD standards across the office.
• Support recruitment and talent development within the group.

Skills

Leadership

Client relations

Team mentorship

Interdisciplinary coordination

Sustainable design

Wellness design

Design leadership

Communication

Budget & scheduling

Education

Professional degree in Interior Design

Professional degree in Interior Architecture

Professional degree in Architecture

NCIDQ certification

LEED accreditation

Tools

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

Rhino

Enscape

Navisworks

Job description

Position Overview

The Associate Principal - Workplace Interior Designer is a strategic design leader responsible for advancing workplace interiors projects from pursuit and conceptual design through documentation and construction administration. This role translates client aspirations, workplace research, organizational goals, and program requirements into compelling, high-performing interior environments.

The Associate Principal brings a forward-looking perspective to workplace design, incorporating evolving models of work—including hybrid work, activity-based working (ABW), employee experience, and workplace wellness—into thoughtful and adaptable environments. The role leads project teams with limited oversight from a Principal or Partner, manages client relationships, guides design and technical development, and contributes to the continued growth of SOM’s workplace interiors practice.

The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in workplace planning, interior architecture, materials, FF&E, technology integration, sustainable design, and interdisciplinary coordination. By balancing design leadership, client management, team leadership, and business development, the Associate Principal helps deliver innovative, future-focused workplace solutions while expanding SOM’s corporate interiors practice.

Position 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.
• Help develop and advance workplace interiors standards, tools, processes, and best practices across the office and firm.
• Perform other responsibilities as required.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead multiple projects, teams, and initiatives with a high degree of autonomy.
• Serve as an officewide and firmwide resource in workplace interiors, workplace planning, or a related area of expertise.
• Directly supervise, train, mentor, and develop team members while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Support recruiting and talent development through resume review, interviewing, professional networking, mentoring, and staff development.
• Advocate for design excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Identify and advance new ways of working, services, standards, and processes that strengthen SOM’s practice and support business and risk-management objectives.
• Share knowledge and contribute to professional discourse within SOM and the broader design community.

Minimum 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.
• General understanding of sustainable design strategies and green building rating systems.
• Strong client-service, presentation, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Familiarity with Revit and digital design, visualization, and documentation tools, including Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, Enscape, Navisworks, and related applications.
• Experience with workplace data, benchmarking, surveys, visualization, or other research-based design methods preferred.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating design leadership, workplace expertise, visual communication, and persuasive storytelling.
• Ability to support and uphold SOM BIM/CAD standards, quality-control procedures, and project-delivery protocols.

Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $120,000 to $170,000.

For more about SOM: www.som.com