Design Manager – International Interiors

Your Role 

At Gensler, we are not just designers; we are innovators and thought leaders who leverage our global perspective and local presence to tackle challenges at every scale. 
 

As a Design Manager – Interiors (International Focus) in our Newport Beach office, you will play a pivotal role in leading and delivering a variety of architectural projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. Your attention to detail and interpersonal skills will be essential in managing the project lifecycle and acting as the primary liaison between our team and clients. 
 

This position is critical in the design and delivery of world-class technical projects, and you will have the opportunity to work with some of the world's top companies, drawing expertise from and collaborating across our offices and regions. You will develop and nurture positive relationships with existing clients, maintaining an awareness of their business objectives, plans, and market trends. 
 

You will lead a cross-functional project team and ensure clarity of requirements, deliverables, and timelines throughout each project. Responsibilities include preparing and monitoring project work plans, budgets, and deliverables, as well as managing multiple aspects of client and project coordination, including documentation with various consultants. You will actively take ownership of problems and work toward successful resolutions in consultation with Practice Area leadership and the Studio Director. 
 

Your qualifications should include significant international design management and project management experience within an architecture firm, a Bachelor's Degree or higher in architecture, and you must be a registered architect. 

With over 10 years of experience in high-end commercial and mixed-use projects, particularly in international and Middle Eastern buildings, you will demonstrate strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills. You should be proactive and adaptable, with experience managing consultant teams and resolving complex technical and design issues. Your ability to provide excellent client service, account leadership, and a high level of design competence will be crucial in this fast-paced environment. 

What You Will Do 

• Develop and nurture positive relationships with existing client contacts, optimizing all potential opportunities.

• Maintain awareness of existing clients’ business objectives, plans, target audience, and market trends, ensuring that appropriate opportunities are identified to generate further demand for Gensler services. 

• Responsible for the day-to-day delivery of projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and on budget. 

• Lead and facilitate the overall cross-functional project team. 

• Manage the project process, ensuring clarity of requirements, deliverables, timelines, and visibility against fees throughout the project lifecycle. 

• Prepare, communicate, and monitor project work plans, budgets, and deliverables for client and internal teams. 

• Prepare and review proposals, contracts, and consultant agreements. 

• Manage multiple aspects of client, team, and project coordination, including full documentation coordination with structural, MEP, lighting, AV, landscape, civil, and other consultants. 

• Actively take ownership of problems and develop successful resolution plans in consultation with Practice Area leadership and Studio Director. 

• Review internal project accounting documents and process draft project billing. 

Your Qualifications 

• 10+ years of experience with high-end commercial/mixed-use projects (International / Middle East Buildings) 

• Design Management and Project Management experience in an architecture firm 

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in architecture 

• Registered Architect or Interior Design licensure required 

• Extensive experience in all phases of projects, specifically International / Middle East Buildings 

• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills 

• Proven ability to provide excellent client service and account leadership 

• High level of design competence and expertise 

• Proactive and adaptable with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment 

• Experience managing consultant teams and resolving complex technical and design issues 

• Must be available for international travel 

*For consideration, candidate MUST submit work samples along with resume.  

**The base salary will be estimated between $120,000 - $150,000 plus bonuses and benefits and contingent on relevant experience. To learn more about our compensation philosophy and full benefits offerings, please visit Great People, Great Rewards | Gensler 

Life at Gensler  

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions and hackathons, to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect our teams’ diverse interests.  
  

We encourage our employees to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership and twice annual bonus opportunities.  Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.  
  

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.