Design Manager - Workplace Interiors

Are you a seasoned design professional passionate about shaping transformative workplace experiences? This review provides an in-depth look at the Design Manager - Workplace Interiors role with Gensler's Birmingham team, offering valuable insights for professionals seeking a pivotal leadership position in a globally renowned firm. This opportunity is designed for those ready to lead, innovate, and contribute to impactful design solutions that redefine the built environment.

Key Advantages for Your Career Path

• Lead and Innovate Transformative Projects: As a Design Manager, you will be at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge Workplace/Commercial projects from conception to completion. This role offers the unique chance to lead the narrative, tell compelling stories through design, and create memorable experiences that influence how people work and interact.
• Strategic Client Leadership and Business Growth: This is a highly client-facing role, positioning you as the main point of contact. You'll not only manage existing client relationships but also strategically nurture them, understanding their business objectives, market trends, and proactively identifying new opportunities to expand Gensler's services. This is an excellent opportunity to significantly hone your business development and account leadership skills within a top-tier firm.
• Holistic Project Ownership: You will be responsible for the entire project lifecycle, from developing work plans and budgets to ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery. This includes leading cross-functional teams, managing multiple external consultants (structural, MEP, lighting, AV, landscape, civil, etc.), and proactively resolving complex design and technical issues. It’s a comprehensive role for those who thrive on end-to-end responsibility and operational excellence.
• Mentorship and Team Development: A significant aspect of this role involves mentoring junior staff, fostering their growth, and encouraging the highest standards of design and client satisfaction. This is an ideal position for leaders who are passionate about developing talent and building strong, collaborative teams that deliver exceptional results.
• Robust Professional Development and Investment: Gensler demonstrates a strong commitment to its employees' professional growth. The firm offers reimbursement for professional qualifications, associated renewals, exam fees, and even tuition for eligible programs. This signifies a strategic investment in your long-term career progression and continuous learning within the industry.
• Engage with a Global Design Leader: Gensler is a dynamic and collaborative firm recognized for uniting creativity, research, and innovation to solve complex problems. Joining a team of 6,000 professionals across 100+ countries means becoming part of a legacy that aims to "create a better world through the power of design." You'll contribute to projects that reimagine cities and places and genuinely make a difference in people's lives.
• Comprehensive Benefits & Supportive Culture: Beyond challenging and meaningful work, Gensler supports a healthy and balanced life with comprehensive benefits including medical and dental insurance, pension, and twice-annual bonus opportunities. The culture fosters a collaborative spirit, encouraging every person to lead, innovate, and contribute positively to both projects and the firm's overarching mission.

Key Considerations for Aspiring Candidates

• Proven Design Management Experience is Crucial: The role specifically requires a minimum of five (5) years of Design Management experience, preferably in Workplace, Mixed-Use, or Commercial industries. Candidates must demonstrate a strong track record of leading projects through all phases, showing an ability to navigate complex design and delivery processes.
• Exceptional Leadership and Communication Skills Required: Success in this role hinges on strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills. You will be managing diverse internal and external teams, coordinating with multiple consultants, and serving as the primary client contact, demanding exceptional interpersonal and presentation abilities.
• Adaptability in a Fast-Paced Environment: Gensler operates in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Candidates must be proactive, adaptable, and demonstrate a proven ability to take ownership of problems, develop successful resolution plans, and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong Technical Acumen and Design Competence: A Bachelor's degree or higher in Interior Design or Architecture is essential, along with a high level of design competence, strong programming and space planning skills, and deep knowledge of building codes. Proficiency in Revit is desirable, indicating a preference for candidates with strong digital design tool capabilities.
• Strategic Business Acumen: Beyond traditional design and project management, candidates should be prepared to actively contribute to new business development efforts, support marketing initiatives for project storytelling, and proactively identify opportunities by understanding clients' business objectives and market trends.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is ideal for a highly experienced and ambitious Design Manager who thrives in a leadership role, possesses a strong blend of design expertise, project management prowess, and strategic client relationship skills. If you are passionate about innovative workplace design, committed to mentoring future talent, and eager to make a significant impact within a leading global firm, Gensler's Birmingham team invites you to explore this exceptional career step.

Embrace the chance to challenge conventional ideas and contribute to reimagining the built environment with a firm dedicated to creating a better world through design.