Workplace Design & Strategy Director

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Retirement support

Paid time off

Professional development programs

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) is seeking a Workplace Design & Strategy Director to lead client-facing design projects. This role involves overseeing a multi-disciplinary team in optimizing global real-estate portfolios while implementing strategic design initiatives aligned with client goals.

The ideal candidate should have over 15 years of experience in design, including leadership roles. Key qualifications include strong communication skills and a professional degree in Architecture. Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in design, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a large or renowned design firm.
• Exceptional portfolio showcasing a variety of design projects.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team working with companies across data-driven projects.
• Provide technical/design leadership from pursuit to Schematic Design.
• Participate in marketing and business development efforts.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Data analysis and visualization

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Sustainable design knowledge

Education

Professional degree in Architecture and/or Interior Design

NCIDQ Certification or LEED accreditation

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Adobe Creative Suite

Data analytic software (Excel, Google Sheets)

Job description

Position Overview

The Workplace Design & Strategy Director is a dynamic client‑facing design and subject matter expert who implements design strategy to win and lead all phases of workplace projects. This professional demonstrates a clear understanding of workplace strategy, processes, and data. They develop and implement strategic design initiatives that summarize and align with client goals and objectives; develop and confirm client program; and translate these into spatial opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi‑disciplinary team working closely with companies across a wide range of data‑driven projects from imagining the future of work to optimizing global real‑estate portfolios.
• Lead a team to analyze and interpret client needs and aspirations into spatial scenarios.
• Lead the creation of early‑phase project delivery and content creation utilizing quantitative data, project benchmarking, digital tools and software.
• Collaborate with Design Leadership to 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.
• Provide technical/design/management leadership and support for the development of the design concept from pursuit through Schematic Design in collaboration with a Principal or Partner.
• Maintain a collaborative and professional work ethic; lead by example, motivating project teams in an inclusive and positive approach.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Interiors and Architecture Industry Best Practices, including programming, planning, and design.
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of Interior Architecture and Architectural design and lead 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 cost(s) costing trends.
• Participate in the planning, scheduling, and organization of project plans for design, technical, and/or project management tools/documents relative to project parameters and in collaboration with senior project team leaders.
• Implement 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.
• Support appropriate project document reviews (design phase documents, technical documents and/or project management tools/documents) and quality control of associated documents in accordance with SOM’s quality control program.
• Lead and deliver creative and innovative solutions to complex problems and guide the team in the development of appropriate research and documentation to support these solutions.
• Participate in marketing and business development efforts, including identifying opportunities to grow the practice through engagement with new and existing clients.
• Support the development of proposals that articulate process, scope, and fee related to workplace and workplace strategy.
• Play a leadership role in the development of pitch materials with the internal team and lead client and stakeholder presentations.
• Spend an average of 2 days per week on billable project work, 2 days per week on approved marketing and new business development efforts, and one day per week on initiatives related to approved workplace strategy initiatives.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Actively lead multiple projects, teams, and initiatives.
• Be established as a firm‑wide resource in an area of expertise for market, discipline, or department.
• Directly train and mentor team members and, more broadly, architectural, engineering, interiors, planning and graphics staff in the office and at large as appropriate.
• Develop and engage in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm through resume review, interviews, and leveraging personal network.
• Demonstrate leadership in the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.
• Advocate for sustainable approaches at an office‑wide scale.
• Create and drive new ways of working through contributing to the development of services, standards, procedures.
• Be responsible for financial and legal risk management of projects.

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture and/or Interior Design.
• Licensed in state of practice or must be NCIDQ Certified; LEED accreditation preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in design, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a large or renowned design firm.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to articulate design concepts and decisions effectively to clients and teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Exceptional portfolio showcasing a variety of design projects, highlighting innovative approaches and successful client solutions.
• General understanding of sustainable strategies and principles, including familiarity with LEED or other green building rating systems.
• Proficiency with data analysis, visualization, and management specifically with regard to workplace performance data and survey data.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking.
• Enthusiastic collaborator and ability to work cross‑disciplinary.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Adobe Creative Suite, as well as data analytic software such as Excel and Google Sheets.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating command of fundamental communication design including composition, graphics, and persuasive writing.
• Portfolios must be submitted as a single PDF attachment of 10‑20 pages, maximum 5MB.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $150,000 to $200,000.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package is built to support many facets of your well‑being—your health, your financial future, and your continued professional growth. We offer medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and accident insurance. We also offer retirement support, free access to employee assistance programs for employees and family members, workplace flexibility, paid holidays, family leave, and paid time off. We reimburse costs for professional licenses, certifications, and exams, and offer specialized, in‑house career development and mentorship programs designed to help you advance your knowledge and expertise.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.