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Workplace Design Director, Interior Design

SmithGroup
parental leave, tuition reimbursement, 401(k)
United States, Michigan, Detroit
500 Griswold Street (Show on map)
Jan 05, 2025

SmithGroup is an award-winning, integrated design firm that blends research, data and technology with innovation and a creative spirit to deliver resilient, inclusive spaces that solve our clients' greatest challenges. Our teams create exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology, workplace, mixed use, higher education, cultural, waterfront, parks and open spaces, and urban environments. We are looking for passionate problem solvers who want to elevate design, push boundaries and move us closer to a carbon-free future. Care to join us?

SmithGroup is looking for a Workplace Design Director, Interior Design to join our team. This position can be located in any SmithGroup office.

The Workplace Design Director, Interior Design has a nationally significant design portfolio of built work in this market and partners with the Market Directors and Regional Directors to develop and implement market strategies. The individual selected provides the leadership and vision necessary to elevate design quality, promote a just, design-centric culture, and create a diverse pipeline of future design leaders.

Key functions of this role:



  • Working with Market Directors and Regional Directors, establish and achieve market goals at the local, regional, and national levels.
  • In collaboration with Market Directors, Regional Directors, Business Development Directors, and Studio Leaders, identify, pursue, win, and lead projects.
  • Supervise and coach Studio Design Leaders; define career paths for future design leaders, mentor design staff across the firm, and participate in performance coaching.



Additionally, you will:



  • Work with Market Directors and Regional Directors to consistently elevate design quality and align design values across the firm.
  • Lead initiatives that support a firmwide culture of design excellence including critiques, thought leadership, design week, portfolio reviews, SG Design Awards, achievement recognition, and talent development.
  • Serve as Project Designer to continue building portfolio and to model SmithGroup's design philosophy.
  • Serve in a project leadership role on key projects within a studio and region and ensure projects are assigned qualified design leaders.
  • Review market and firmwide portfolio annually to evaluate consistency and gaps in design excellence.
  • Drive overall design-related public relations initiatives with marketing, representing the firm in media outputs, award programs, and design presentations at national events and outside associations.
  • Participate in business development activities, project pursuits, and client interviews across geographies and markets.
  • Play an active role in the recruitment and interview process of prospective senior designers across the firm.
  • Actively participate in national initiatives, Board of Directors, committees, etc.



An ideal candidate has:



  • A minimum of a bachelor's degree in architecture or interior design.
  • Professional licensure or certification, required.
  • Sustainability credentials required.
  • Minimum 15 years of professional experience.
  • Original design work that has been built and recognized as design excellence by external professional organizations, publications, and other organizations.
  • A sophisticated knowledge and proven commitment to sustainability and design justice as drivers of our design process and a measure of our design quality.
  • Advanced understanding of the competitive landscape of design in their market, client concerns, industry trends, and emerging issues.
  • A proven record as a resourceful and strategic problem solver, committed to integrated thinking and holistic sustainability.
  • A creative and entrepreneurial spirit to embrace cultural trends, future technologies, production and presentation software, and other tools of our trade.
  • Effective communication and presentation skills to build positive relationships and trust with clients, team members, and direct reports.
  • Demonstrated a decisive and actionable leadership style, motivating other leaders and staff through a positive, inclusive, and supportive approach.
  • A strong record of coaching and developing future design talent.
  • Proven ability to lead an integrated design process including architects, interior designers, engineers, planners, and site designers.



At SmithGroup, we are committed to helping our staff thrive with great projects and time to unwind. We offer flexible scheduling, a hybrid work environment, 3 weeks of PTO within your first year of employment with the option of purchasing additional time off, 8 paid federal holidays, plus 15 extra Fridays off! Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellbeing resources, paid parental leave, a flex spending account and voluntary insurance options. We invest in your future through our 401(k) program with employer matching, tuition reimbursement program, one-on-one career coaching and professional development opportunities. While we may ultimately pay more or less than a posted salary range, at the time of posting the anticipated salary range for this position is $117,000 to $166,000 annually and you are eligible for a performance-based bonus each year. The anticipated range encompasses all geographic locations. To be considered for this role, please create a profile and apply!

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to careers@smithgroup.com.

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