Workplace Design Assistant Director

Summary

Shape on-campus experiences across 2+ million square feet spanning three campuses in two states, through strategic leadership in interior design. Develop and implement comprehensive design strategies aligned with the company's vision, prioritizing projects to meet the evolving needs of the enterprise. Staying current with industry trends, drive innovation to enhance the campus environment.

Manage all phases of interior design projects, from concept to completion, balancing client requests, resources, funding, and internal priorities. Effective communication with clients and stakeholders, coupled with strong financial discipline, ensures projects stay on budget and on schedule.

Enhance operational efficiency and ensure compliance with safety regulations and institutional policies.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Formulate and execute comprehensive design & space planning strategies that inform the facilities master plan and align with the company's vision and objectives for on-campus experiences.
• Strategically prioritize design & space projects to align with the dynamic needs of an evolving enterprise ecosystem.
• Develop cost effective and efficient space planning strategies to meet the evolving occupancy requirements of the Company.
• Stay current with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in interior design & space planning, influencing internal stakeholders to adopt new innovations to enhance the campus experience.
• Ensure facilities design accommodates our diverse workforce and supports Enterprise Sustainability Governance objectives.
• Plan, prioritize, and oversee delivery of a dynamic portfolio of interior design projects, including enterprise efforts, facilities-directed projects, and internal customer requests.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Effectively manage design & space requests through a transparent and simple intake process. Provide clear and consistent communication to clients and stakeholders throughout the project.
• Provide leadership and direction to the interior design team, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance team efficiency and effectiveness.
• Mentor and develop team members, encouraging professional growth and ensuring high performance.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including construction project managers, architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders, to ensure cohesive project delivery.
• Bring strong financial discipline to all aspects of project planning and operations, ensuring financial resources are used effectively and projects remain within budget constraints.
• Ensure all designs and projects comply with relevant building codes, safety regulations, and institutional policies. Analyze new and changing federal and local regulations with respect to their impact on the home office campuses.
• Document all aspects of design projects, including plans, changes, and outcomes.
• Prepare detailed project reports for senior management and stakeholders, summarizing progress, challenges, and recommendations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with an emphasis in, Business, Project Management or related field preferred OR a significant amount of directly-related work experience beyond the minimum required for the position.
• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience, including a mix of people leader, process and project management experience to include analysis, documentation and experience leading complex, large-scale projects/programs.
• Demonstrated superior people leadership, management, human relations and interpersonal skills necessary to directly lead and develop teams.
• Project management experience required preferably in the area of interior design, construction, etc.; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in business processes such as planning, budgeting, staff management, and executing systems and procedures.
• Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills with ability to build rapport, negotiate and gain acceptance at all levels.
• Strong analytical skills and commitment to customer service excellence along with sound decision making skills and the ability to function in an immediate needs' work environment when appropriate.
• High degree of personal initiative and motivation.

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Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. At Northwestern Mutual, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Please note that the salary range listed in the posting is the standard pay structure. Positions in certain locations (such as California) may provide an increase on the standard pay structure based on the location. Please c lick here for additional information relating to location-based pay structures.

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click here for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.

We're excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Flexible work schedules
• Concierge service
• Comprehensive benefits
• Employee resource groups