Design Manager - Chicago, IL

Join McKissack & McKissack as a Design Manager in Chicago! Shape innovative workplace designs in a dynamic aviation environment.

Join McKissack & McKissack's team! Immediate opening for a Design Manager in the Chicago, IL area.
McKissack & McKissack is hiring a Design Manager in Chicago, IL to support workplace design and corporate real estate projects in a fast-paced aviation environment. We’re looking for a well-rounded interior architecture/design professional who brings technical expertise, strategic thinking, and confidence working with stakeholders. At McKissack, you’ll join a collaborative, growth-minded culture that values diversity, integrity, professional development, and team players who are humble, hungry, and smart.

• Responsible for the development and implementation of design standards, including selection of FF&E, finishes, and other design elements in partnership with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
• Partner with CRE Project Managers to develop and coordinate conceptual designs for executive and finance review.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop strategic design solutions for workplace and operational environments while supporting new initiatives.
• Develop and lead space planning, programming, test fits, and utilization studies for United-owned and maintained facilities throughout the network.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities while effectively balancing workload based on leadership direction.
• Review and interpret architectural plans prepared by third-party architects and engineers.
• Serve as a design subject matter expert for new and evolving workplace initiatives.
• Develop and maintain workplace design standards, including furniture, finishes, and design guidelines.
• Lead workplace programming efforts by gathering and translating stakeholder requirements into design solutions.
• Conduct space planning, test fits, utilization studies, and occupancy evaluations.
• Partner with project managers to develop conceptual designs for executive and stakeholder review.
• Collaborate with end users and business stakeholders to understand needs and gather feedback.
• Select and coordinate furniture, fixtures, equipment (FF&E), materials, and finishes.
• Create floor plans, diagrams, renderings, and other visual tools to communicate design concepts.
• Review architectural and engineering drawings for compliance with project requirements and design standards.
• Ensure designs comply with ADA and accessibility standards.
• Develop professional presentations and visual deliverables for executive and client-facing meetings.
• Serve as a design subject matter expert for workplace and operational environment initiatives.
• Manage multiple projects, priorities, schedules, documentation, and stakeholder expectations simultaneously.
• Support strategic workplace planning initiatives that balance operational, business, and employee experience goals.
• Coordinate with internal teams, architects, engineers, consultants, and vendors throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepare and present design recommendations to leadership teams with confidence and professionalism.
• Preferred Project Experience
• Workplace / Corporate Office Design – Approximately 50% of experience.
• Operational Support Spaces / Industrial – Approximately 20% of experience.
• Aviation / Transportation – Approximately 20% of experience.
• Retail / Hospitality Support Environments – Approximately 10% of experience.
• Interior Architecture (Preferred) – Broad experience spanning multiple project typologies, with an emphasis on workplace, operational, and transportation environments.
• Software Proficiency
• Adobe InDesign – Proficient

• Bachelor's degree in interior design and/or Architecture.
• 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in workplace/corporate office design required.
• Aviation, industrial, or operational environment experience strongly preferred.
• Client-side or highly collaborative consulting experience preferred.
• NCIDQ certification preferred.
• Knowledge of applicable design codes, including ADA.
• Software proficiency in Excel, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Revit, and Adobe InDesign.
• Strong communication, presentation, collaboration, and problem-solving…