Workplace Design & Strategy Director

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.

• 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.

• 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…