Interior Designer/Project Manager

Clayco - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Senior

Chicago, IL

Real Estate

About the position

As a Senior Interior Designer/Project Manager at Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC), you will play a pivotal role in contributing to a variety of projects that support our diverse and innovative design practice. This position is designed for a professional who is not only skilled in interior design but also possesses project management capabilities. You will work closely with the leadership team to enhance and expand our Chicago presence and portfolio by producing high-quality projects, pursuing new opportunities, engaging with the community, and forming long-term client relationships. Your contributions will be essential in realizing our clients' visions across various market sectors, including Corporate, Hospitality, Entertainment, Healthcare, Industrial, Higher Education, Residential, and Adaptive-Reuse. In this role, you will engage with clients and the management team to develop spatial programs and project requirements. You will be responsible for developing and maintaining project schedules and internal resource planning while ensuring that designs align with client budget expectations. Your expertise will be crucial in developing the overall design concept and providing support throughout the project process in collaboration with internal teams and external consultants. You will also be tasked with developing material palettes and furniture specification packages, as well as creating presentation packages that include both 2D and 3D documents. Additionally, you will oversee the technical aspects of projects, recommending appropriate technical solutions and product strategies. Your role will involve preparing and coordinating final documents for submission to governing authorities, overseeing construction administration activities, and coordinating with the project team. You will lead client presentations, maintain ongoing communication regarding agenda items, and provide input to RFP responses and marketing proposals. Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with clients and project teams is essential, as is representing LJC in the community and at industry events. You will also be expected to practice LJC's core values of integrity, humility, and fearlessness, contribute to LJC's Core Councils (Design, Culture, and Sustainability), and provide support and mentoring to colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Engage with the client and management team to develop the spatial program and project requirements.
• Develop and maintain the project schedule and internal resource planning.
• Understand and design to client budget expectations.
• Develop the overall design concept and provide support throughout the project process in collaboration with the internal team and collaborative consultants.
• Develop material palettes and furniture specification packages.
• Develop presentation packages, including 2D and 3D documents.
• Develop and oversee the technical viewpoint on projects, recommending appropriate technical solutions and product strategies.
• Prepare and coordinate final documents for submission to the governing authorities.
• Oversee construction administration activities and coordinate with project team.
• Lead and document client presentations and provide ongoing communication on agenda items.
• Provide input to RFP responses, marketing proposals, and participate in pursuit interviews.
• Establish and maintain positive relationship with the client and project team.
• Represent LJC in the community and at industry events.
• Practice LJC's core values of integrity, humility, and fearlessness.
• Contribute to LJC's Core Councils (Design, Culture and Sustainability).
• Provide support and coaching/mentoring to colleagues.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in interior design or architecture.
• 10+ years' experience with interior design and architecture.
• A project portfolio demonstrating design and technical capabilities.
• Should be registered as an architect or interior designer.
• LEED and/or WELL-accreditation desirable.
• Demonstrated competence with Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD/Revit and MS Office.
• Exemplary written and spoken communication.
• Comfort and poise presenting to external and internal audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal relationship-building and colleague-coaching skills.

Nice-to-haves

• LEED and/or WELL-accreditation desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive Annual Salary: Based on qualifications, skills, training, experience, and location.
• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company performance and individual contribution.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!