Design Manager - Interiors - Senior

Description At Gensler, we design for impact, helping organizations innovate through spaces that drive performance, culture, and long-term value. Our work transforms how companies operate by creating environments that foster collaboration, well-being, and meaningful experiences. We are seeking a Senior Design Manager with a proven track record of leading complex, large-scale corporate interiors projects and cultivating strong client relationships. This role is ideal for a strategic leader who thrives at the intersection of design excellence, business development, and team leadership. As part of one of Gensler's fastest-growing offices, this individual will play a key leadership role in helping scale our teams, strengthen project delivery, develop emerging leaders, and build the operational capacity required to support continued growth across Workplace, Advanced Technology, Critical Facilities, and R&D sectors. Your Role As a Senior Design Manager at Gensler, you will operate with a high degree of autonomy and accountability, leading complex, high-impact projects from concept through completion. You will serve as a trusted advisor to clients, owning key relationships while driving both project success and business growth. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, provide strategic direction, and ensure design excellence while maintaining financial performance and delivery rigor. You will also serve as a force multiplier for studio leadership, helping translate strategic priorities into staffing plans, team development, operational excellence, and scalable project delivery. Success in this role is measured not only by project outcomes, but by the strength of the teams, leaders, and delivery capabilities developed around you. What You Will Do Project & Design Leadership Serve as the lead design manager for complex, large-scale corporate interiors projects; managing large-scale, high-impact work (e.g., $1M+ fee, 100K+ SF, multi-phase or multi-stakeholder projects, or multiple concurrent large projects)Drive successful project outcomes across all phases while ensuring alignment between client goals, design excellence, delivery quality, and business performance.Lead multiple concurrent projects, including high-value and multi-phase engagementsEnsure alignment between design intent, client goals, and execution Client Leadership & Relationship Management Act as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor to senior client stakeholdersBuild, grow, and maintain long-term client relationshipsProvide account leadership (CR ownership) for key clients, identifying opportunities for expansionNavigate complex stakeholder environments and facilitate decision-making Business Development & Strategy Support business development efforts by strengthening client relationships, identifying opportunities, and contributing to pursuits and proposals.Lead and contribute to proposals, interviews, and pursuit strategiesPartner with Marketing on lead generation, positioning, and storytellingSupport sector growth initiatives (Tech Workplace, Advanced Tech, Critical Facilities, R&D/Labs) Studio Leadership & Talent Development Partner with Studio Directors, Practice Area Leaders, and Office Leadership to support staffing strategy, workload forecasting, and resource planningDrive project health reviews and proactively identify risks to project performance, team capacity, and client satisfactionIdentify recurring project delivery challenges and implement scalable solutions across multiple teams and projects.Mentor and develop project managers, design managers, and emerging leadersDevelop project managers and emerging design managers through coaching, delegation, performance feedback, and leadership opportunities.Help establish operational rigor, accountability, and consistent delivery standards across project teamsSupport recruiting, onboarding, and career development initiatives to build long-term studio capacityServe as a key contributor to succession planning and leadership development efforts within the office Financial & Operational Management Own project financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, and profitabilityDevelop and manage project schedules, work plans, resource allocation, and staffing plans across multiple concurrent projectsOversee preparation and negotiation of proposals, contracts, and consultant agreementsReview project accounting and manage billing processes while partnering with studio leadership to monitor delivery performance, utilization, and team capacity Team Leadership & Talent Development Build, lead, and inspire high-performing multidisciplinary teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvementEstablish clear ownership, accountability, and decision-making across project teams.Provide mentorship, coaching, and career development for junior, mid-level, and emerging leadership staffContribute to recruiting and team growth effortsHelp identify and develop future project, technical, and studio leadersFoster a collaborative, high-performance studio culture Technical Excellence & Delivery Oversight Guide coordination, documentation, and delivery to ensure quality and consistencyOversee quality assurance and technical review of project documentationEnsure compliance with building codes, accessibility standards, and project requirementsDrive innovation in design process, tools, and delivery methods Your Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or higher in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related field15+ years of design management experience within an architecture or design firmProven success leading large, complex projects and multidisciplinary teamsStrong client management and business development experienceExpertise across all phases of project deliveryAdvanced skills in space planning, programming, and FF&EStrong knowledge of building systems, codes, and accessibility requirementsExperience delivering financially successful projectsDemonstrated leadership and mentorship capabilitiesSustainable design experience preferred (LEED or similar)Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft OfficeDemonstrated success developing project managers, design managers, and multidisciplinary teamsExperience leading staffing, resource planning, and delivery operations across multiple projectsProven ability to balance client leadership, business development, project delivery, and talent development responsibilitiesExperience helping scale teams, studios, or practice areas through periods of growth For consideration, please submit a cover letter, resume, and portfolio in PDF format showcasing your experience and design capabilities. The base salary range is estimated between $150,000 – $180,000, plus bonuses and benefits, and is contingent on experience and qualifications. Life at Gensler At Gensler, we believe excellence in design is fueled by a culture that values creativity, diversity, and well-being. From curated exhibits to wellness initiatives, our offices reflect the passion of our people. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, wellness programs, 401(k), profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and biannual bonus opportunities. We also invest in your growth through licensure support, exam reimbursement, and ongoing professional development. As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.   NOTICE TO APPLICANTS We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state and local law. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state and local law. See also Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal, right to work and E-verify program, as required by law. Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us. Regarding Gensler’s approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud. Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email talentacquisition@gensler.com.