About the role We are seeking a Design Program Manager with the design skills to support and execute all scales of design projects for our Client's Workplace Design + Innovation Team, within the Global Workplace Experience organization. Key activities will include overseeing the client’s architectural and design partners, guiding furniture design with global furniture partners, directing experiential graphic design (EGD) on global projects, and coordinating with the client’s in-house stakeholders across project management, AV/IT, site operations, and security. In addition, this role will support refreshes and small design projects at the client’s existing locations and supporting the Senior Manager of Workplace Design + Innovation in real estate studies as required. Performs within a design team in a self-directed manner in multiple aspects of the design process including but not limited to the design & documentation of various phases, the preparation of materials, and construction coordination activities within established scopes, budgets, schedules, and programmatic requirements. Leads multiple projects and liaises directly with employees in the business, cross-functional stakeholders, and consultants.
What you’ll do
Primary contact for design on select projects, including interior design + programming, experiential graphic design + brand/signage, construction administration oversight, and overall design approvals. As Client’s subject matter expert, expected to provide insight and consultation to the client on all aspects of the work
Act as a representative of the workplace design team in project meetings and presentations
Coordinate and collaborate with architects, contractors, furniture vendors, and XFN partners to ensure standards are met when new projects are designed and executed
Support projects at existing sites that may vary in scope from interiors, furniture, or EGD
Support environmental graphics and branding requirements in coordination with the client’s brand team as required.
Assist with progressing the client’s design strategy and research
Develop presentations to be given to executive leadership and project stakeholders
Support RFP processes as needed for new projects
Knowledge and experience understanding costs and developing solutions that adhere to budgets
Collaborate with external architects and designers, General Contractors and Construction Project Managers, Furniture Vendors and internal teams to ensure that each project adheres to global space design and global furniture guidelines.
Support internal teams and provide design direction at all stages of design development with regards to workplace standards, design reconfigurations and furniture selection layouts.
Represent the Client’s Workplace Design Team in the region or support other regions as required to cover for team members out of office, embodying their design and quality standards
Strong technical aptitude as it relates to furniture, fixtures and equipment in the workplace
Manage furniture selection for Workplace Design projects and ensure compliance with look and feel and standards. Including but not limited to fabric, color, ergo compliance and performance criteria.
Detailed review of furniture layout drawings.
Prepare presentations in Powerpoint and the Adobe suite of products such as Adobe Express, Adobe Acrobat, or InDesign and well-versed in messaging applications like Slack and Teams
Work closely with the furniture vendor to create a furniture package that is aligned with Client’s standards while also understating the needs of the local team
Coordination with project technical teams including Project Architect, Facilities, IT, AV, Environment Health and Safety, Brand, Security, and Culinary
Support internal teams with regard to end user requirements and share comments on test fits plans, look and feel and/or space plans based upon programming requirements
Represent Workplace Design at project meetings across regions and manage an internal tracker of project updates
Ability to prioritize, coordinate and execute under deadlines
Provide daily to weekly updates on project review status reporting and maintain typical project documentation as required
Participate in global team meetings and knowledge share calls.
Communicate with management, prepare and make presentations to leadership and other teams within the business
What you’ll need
7-10 years of experience
Role requires some travel
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, English comprehension and spoken English. High degree of efficient communication and maintaining excellent client expectations
Strong organizational and analytical skills
Ability to provide efficient, timely, reliable and courteous service to customers.
Ability to effectively present information to an internal department and/or groups of stakeholders
Ability to work independently and autonomously to solve problems involving multiple options
Requires basic knowledge of financial terms and principles and how budgets factor into project designs such as value engineering and procurement of materials that fit within budgets
Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret complex documents and ask clarifying questions to ensure understanding. Ability to solve problems involving several options in situations
Advanced graphic and presentation skills
Great judgment to make good, balanced decisions
Understanding and application of design principles, theories, furniture trends and innovations, color and materials
Resilient and able to work fluidly from team collaboration to independent work
Solution focused at all times towards successful project and client outcomes
Ability to work successfully in a fast-paced environment on projects and with teams located in different time zones
In-depth knowledge of business office and design tools. Examples include Revit, CAD, Bluebeam, and the Adobe Suite of Products
Disclaimer: Please be advised that effective January 1, 2025, CBRE Project Management and Turner &Townsend were consolidated into a single global business entity. As a candidate applying for a position, you should be aware that while your initial employment may be with CBRE GWS, you will subsequently transfer directly to Turner & Townsend at a date to be determined.
