Interior Designer / Design Manager
ESPO Corporation, Chicago, IL, United States
Interior Design Manager
Location: Chicago, IL
Job Type: Long-Term Contract | Hybrid (up to 3 days onsite)
Overview Our client, a global transportation organization, is seeking an experienced Interior Design Manager to support Corporate Real Estate projects across a diverse facility portfolio. This role leads interior design standards, space planning, and design execution while partnering closely with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
Key Responsibilities
Core : Responsible for development and implementation of design standards including expertise in selecting appropriate FF&E, finishes, and other design elements in partnership with internal stakeholders and external vendors
Core : Work with CRE project managers to develop and coordinate conceptual designs for use in executive and finance review/approval
Core : Work with internal collaborators to develop strategic design plans for improvements to internal and external facing spaces and for delivering new initiatives
Core : Manage time and workload effectively, prioritizing work based on leadership guidance
Preferred : Develop and lead space planning, programming and utilization calculations for United owned and/or maintained facilities throughout the network
Preferred : Open, review, and understand architectural plans from third party architect and engineers
Preferred : Provide subject matter expertise in regards to design for new or evolving initiatives
Qualifications
Bachelor's in interior design and/or architecture
10+ years of relevant experience
Preferred: NCIDQ certified
Familiarity with facility design, planning, or execution job functions
Knowledge of applicable design codes including ADA
Software skills: Excel, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Revit, and InDesign
Presentation Skills, Collaborative approach, problem solving, strong communication
Ability to be in office up to three days per week (Willis Tower, Chicago, IL)
Ability to travel up to 20%
Design Skills
Design Fundamentals (Design I) – Strong foundation in spatial planning, aesthetics, and conceptual thinking.
Programming – Ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize user requirements into design criteria.
End-User Engagement – Comfortable communicating with end users to understand needs and collect feedback.
FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment) – Knowledge of selection, specification, and coordination of FF&E.
Materiality / Finish Selection – Skilled in sourcing, evaluating, and coordinating materials and finishes for aesthetics, durability, and performance.
Test Fitting – Capability to create quick space plans and assess fit of programs within floorplates.
Standards Development – Experience with creating, documenting, and maintaining design standards.
ADA / Accessibility Compliance – Understanding of accessibility codes and universal design principles.
Graphic Skills – Ability to visually communicate design ideas through diagrams, renderings, and presentations.
Organization – Strong organizational skills for managing tasks, files, and project workflows.
Presentation Production – Preparing professional presentations and deliverables for clients and stakeholders.
Software Skills
Revit – Proficient
Enscape – Proficient
InDesign – Proficient
AutoCAD (CAD) – Proficient
Microsoft Office Suite – Proficient
Bluebeam – Proficient
Professional & Interpersonal Qualities
Client-Facing Presence – able to represent the team and firm with professionalism.
Conversation Leadership – comfortable guiding discussions with clients and stakeholders.
Confidence – self-assured without being overbearing.
Flexibility & Adaptability – able to pivot quickly between tasks and priorities.
Maturity – demonstrates sound judgment and professionalism.
Communication Skills – clear, concise, and effective in both verbal and written form.
Presentation Skills – confident and polished when presenting ideas or deliverables.
Decisiveness – capable of making "game-time" decisions when needed.
Amiable Personality – approachable, collaborative, and easy to work with.
Ambition – motivated to grow and take ownership of responsibilities.
Humility – open to feedback, not ego-driven.
Practical Design Approach – values functionality and appropriateness over flashy design.
Diligence – thorough and detail-oriented in follow-through.
Resilience – able to take criticism constructively and handle challenges with a thick skin.
Project Experience & Typologies
Workspace / Corporate Office Design – ~50% of experience
Industrial Design – ~20% of experience
Aviation – ~20% of experience
Retail Environments – ~10% of experience
Interior Architecture (Preferred) – broad, comprehensive experience in interior architecture, ideally spanning all the above typologies
ESPO Corporation Leaders in Technical Recruiting & Staffing since 1965 ESPO has a comprehensive benefits package which includes PTO, Group Health and Dental Insurance, and 401k after you have satisfied the necessary waiting periods.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value the benefits of diversity in our workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, or any other attribute or protected characteristic by law. If you need assistance applying, please get in touch with us directly.
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Overview Our client, a global transportation organization, is seeking an experienced Interior Design Manager to support Corporate Real Estate projects across a diverse facility portfolio. This role leads interior design standards, space planning, and design execution while partnering closely with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
Key Responsibilities
Core : Responsible for development and implementation of design standards including expertise in selecting appropriate FF&E, finishes, and other design elements in partnership with internal stakeholders and external vendors
Core : Work with CRE project managers to develop and coordinate conceptual designs for use in executive and finance review/approval
Core : Work with internal collaborators to develop strategic design plans for improvements to internal and external facing spaces and for delivering new initiatives
Core : Manage time and workload effectively, prioritizing work based on leadership guidance
Preferred : Develop and lead space planning, programming and utilization calculations for United owned and/or maintained facilities throughout the network
Preferred : Open, review, and understand architectural plans from third party architect and engineers
Preferred : Provide subject matter expertise in regards to design for new or evolving initiatives
Qualifications
Bachelor's in interior design and/or architecture
10+ years of relevant experience
Preferred: NCIDQ certified
Familiarity with facility design, planning, or execution job functions
Knowledge of applicable design codes including ADA
Software skills: Excel, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Revit, and InDesign
Presentation Skills, Collaborative approach, problem solving, strong communication
Ability to be in office up to three days per week (Willis Tower, Chicago, IL)
Ability to travel up to 20%
Design Skills
Design Fundamentals (Design I) – Strong foundation in spatial planning, aesthetics, and conceptual thinking.
Programming – Ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize user requirements into design criteria.
End-User Engagement – Comfortable communicating with end users to understand needs and collect feedback.
FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment) – Knowledge of selection, specification, and coordination of FF&E.
Materiality / Finish Selection – Skilled in sourcing, evaluating, and coordinating materials and finishes for aesthetics, durability, and performance.
Test Fitting – Capability to create quick space plans and assess fit of programs within floorplates.
Standards Development – Experience with creating, documenting, and maintaining design standards.
ADA / Accessibility Compliance – Understanding of accessibility codes and universal design principles.
Graphic Skills – Ability to visually communicate design ideas through diagrams, renderings, and presentations.
Organization – Strong organizational skills for managing tasks, files, and project workflows.
Presentation Production – Preparing professional presentations and deliverables for clients and stakeholders.
Software Skills
Revit – Proficient
Enscape – Proficient
InDesign – Proficient
AutoCAD (CAD) – Proficient
Microsoft Office Suite – Proficient
Bluebeam – Proficient
Professional & Interpersonal Qualities
Client-Facing Presence – able to represent the team and firm with professionalism.
Conversation Leadership – comfortable guiding discussions with clients and stakeholders.
Confidence – self-assured without being overbearing.
Flexibility & Adaptability – able to pivot quickly between tasks and priorities.
Maturity – demonstrates sound judgment and professionalism.
Communication Skills – clear, concise, and effective in both verbal and written form.
Presentation Skills – confident and polished when presenting ideas or deliverables.
Decisiveness – capable of making "game-time" decisions when needed.
Amiable Personality – approachable, collaborative, and easy to work with.
Ambition – motivated to grow and take ownership of responsibilities.
Humility – open to feedback, not ego-driven.
Practical Design Approach – values functionality and appropriateness over flashy design.
Diligence – thorough and detail-oriented in follow-through.
Resilience – able to take criticism constructively and handle challenges with a thick skin.
Project Experience & Typologies
Workspace / Corporate Office Design – ~50% of experience
Industrial Design – ~20% of experience
Aviation – ~20% of experience
Retail Environments – ~10% of experience
Interior Architecture (Preferred) – broad, comprehensive experience in interior architecture, ideally spanning all the above typologies
ESPO Corporation Leaders in Technical Recruiting & Staffing since 1965 ESPO has a comprehensive benefits package which includes PTO, Group Health and Dental Insurance, and 401k after you have satisfied the necessary waiting periods.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value the benefits of diversity in our workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, or any other attribute or protected characteristic by law. If you need assistance applying, please get in touch with us directly.
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