Interior Designer / Design Manager

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
What's needed to succeed (Minimum 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.