Design Manager - Real Estate Services

EY; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 40 000 - 80 000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking firm as a Design Manager in Real Estate Services, where you will lead innovative workplace design initiatives. Your role will involve collaborating with diverse teams to enhance design standards, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive environment. With a focus on workspace planning and interior design, you'll drive impactful projects that shape the future of corporate offices. This position offers the opportunity to work flexibly across EMEA, contributing to a culture that values diversity and creativity. If you're passionate about design and eager to make a difference, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Flexible Work Environment

Diverse and Inclusive Culture

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience in interior design or workspace planning.
• Deep understanding of workspace planning principles and design elements.

Responsibilities

• Support Real Estate Services team with design guidelines and standards.
• Engage with stakeholders to align on design standards for projects.

Skills

Interior Design

Workspace Planning

Communication Skills

Project Management

Supply Chain Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Design

Master's Degree in Architecture

Job description

At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence.

We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go.

Join EY and help to build a better working world.

The opportunity

EY Real Estate is responsible for services including property acquisition, disposal, refurbishments, relocations, and management of capital projects related to Real Estate. Our purpose is to deliver an exceptional, inclusive, and sustainable workplace environment that supports our global business strategy.

We are seeking an experienced workplace designer to join the Real Estate Services team. The Design Manager will represent and support the team in activities related to EY Design Guidelines and other design frameworks. They will work closely with the D&P team to improve space planning and design in line with industry trends and EY standards.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Support the Real Estate Services team with activities including understanding and ownership of Design Guidelines principles, proposing enhancements for branding, wellbeing, sustainability, and inclusive design standards.
• Benchmark externally and internally, and interact with external service providers to support design standards and project delivery.
• Onboard design teams, stakeholders, and suppliers on design standards.
• Engage with various organizational levels to share standards and support project narratives.
• Maintain engagement with Real Estate, Design, and Projects Leaders to align on strategic support for ongoing and upcoming projects.
• Review design materials and provide SME support from project initiation to closeout.
• Contribute to design frameworks, interact with suppliers, and ensure procurement aligns with design standards.
• Develop templates and toolkits for design standards, to be included in our Design Guidelines portal and Playbook.
• Participate in project close-out meetings and share lessons learned on design standards implementation.

Skills And Attributes For Success

• A passion for design and workplace, with the ability to communicate it effectively.
• Proven track record in interior design or workspace planning (minimum 6 years), focused on corporate offices and trends.
• Deep understanding of workspace planning principles and impactful interior design elements.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong influencing skills across all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders.
• Excellent English communication skills (C1 level or higher); additional languages are a plus.
• Willingness to embrace new challenges and work within an international team.
• Knowledge of workplace metrics, planning principles, and trends.
• Enthusiastic, committed, and determined attitude.
• Experience working in diverse, multicultural environments across borders.
• Experience in supply chain management, working with vendors and professional service firms.
• Ability to manage multiple projects across locations and time zones.
• Work flexibility to operate from any location within EMEA.

What We Offer You

At EY, we’ll develop you with future-focused skills and world-class experiences. We provide a flexible environment, empower your talents within a diverse and inclusive culture of global teams. Learn more.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.

To ensure an equitable and inclusive recruitment process, please inform us of any disability-related adjustments or accommodations you may need.

EY | Building a better working world

EY is creating value for clients, people, society, and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI, and technology, EY teams help clients shape the future and address pressing issues of today and tomorrow. Our services span assurance, consulting, tax, strategy, and transactions, operating in over 150 countries and territories through a global, multidisciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners.