Design Associate - Corporate Workplace

PNC•Downers Grove, IL

1d•$75,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Design Associate - Corporate Workplace supports the planning, design, and delivery of workplace environments that are functional, brand-aligned, and experience-driven. The role translates business needs into concepts, test fits, and design documentation while balancing scope, schedule, and budget. It is part of PNC's Realty Services organization and is based in Pittsburgh, Chicago, Downers Grove, Dallas, Minneapolis, or Washington, DC. PNC describes the role as in-office, with a 40-hour in-office work week as the baseline and in-person collaboration, site visits, and stakeholder workshops as needed. The position oversees design requirements for layouts, finishes, and artwork; maintains design standards across corporate and retail construction projects; and researches and implements workplace products. It creates schematic designs with line-of-business contacts, updates design guidelines, adapts them for new business lines, and identifies opportunities for bulk purchasing agreements. The role also manages PNC's corporate art program, including art inventory, placement, and purchasing. The Design Associate coordinates design work with internal project teams, stakeholders, architects, designers, vendors, and service providers. It gathers requirements, presents options, aligns on deliverables and decision points, communicates design intent, and helps keep concurrent projects on track. The role requires working effectively in a deadline-driven environment and representing PNC professionally with external partners.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree; in lieu of a degree, a comparable combination of education, job-specific certifications, and experience, including military service, may be considered.
Typically 3 or more years of relevant or direct industry experience; the posting notes that roles at this level typically require this experience.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities appropriate to the role.
Proficiency with design and documentation tools such as AutoCAD or other Autodesk products and Bluebeam, plus 3D modeling and rendering workflows.
Ability to produce clear plans, markups, and presentation-quality visuals.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, a collaborative mindset, sound judgment, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to facilitate alignment among diverse stakeholders.
Customer-focused approach, with knowledge of values and practices that prioritize customer needs and satisfaction in business decisions.
Ability to assess and effectively manage risks associated with business objectives and activities.
No required certifications or licenses.

Nice To Haves

Preferred skills include budgeting, building design, building inspections, equipment inspection, process improvements, project planning, project scheduling, and the Waterfall Model.
Competencies include accuracy and attention to detail, architectural design, construction management, construction quality assurance, tactical and strategic planning, process management, project management, retail store design, and standard operating procedures.
Certifications are often desired, though none are required.

Responsibilities

Develop workplace planning and interior design solutions that support project objectives, including user experience, functionality, sustainability, and brand, while meeting budget and schedule requirements.
Lead and coordinate pre-design and design activities with external architects and designers, vendors, and internal project teams; align on scope, deliverables, and decision points.
Partner with line-of-business leaders and senior stakeholders to gather requirements, present design options, and drive timely decisions.
Maintain knowledge of workplace strategy, space planning, and FF&E and finish trends; research and recommend solutions that improve consistency, performance, and cost effectiveness.
Translate brand standards, design guidelines, and culture into design narratives and deliverables such as test fits, finish palettes, furniture plans, and presentations.
Maintain a 40-hour in-office work week as the baseline and participate in in-person collaboration, site visits, and stakeholder workshops as needed.
Collaborate with internal partners, consultants, and service providers to resolve issues and keep deliverables on track.
Represent PNC externally by supporting vendor coordination, design-intent alignment, and professional communication with partners.
Provide design oversight and management related to layouts, finishes, and artwork.
Maintain design standards on corporate and retail construction projects throughout PNC.
Develop, research, and implement new design and workplace products for use throughout PNC.
Create schematic designs in conjunction with line-of-business contacts.
Update design guidelines, adapt current guidelines to new lines of business, and create opportunities for bulk purchases or buying agreements.
Manage PNC's corporate art program, including inventory, placement, and purchase of artwork.
Assess and manage risks associated with business objectives and activities in support of PNC's Enterprise Risk Management Framework.

Benefits

Medical and prescription drug coverage, with a Health Savings Account feature.
Dental and vision options.
Employee and spouse/child life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability protection.
401(k) with PNC match, pension, and stock purchase plans.
Dependent care reimbursement account.
Back-up child and elder care.
Adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursement.
Educational assistance, including select fully paid programs.
Wellness program with financial incentives.
Maternity and/or parental leave.
Up to 11 paid holidays each year.
9 occasional absence days each year, unless otherwise required by law.
Between 15 and 25 vacation days each year, depending on career level and years of service.
Incentive-eligible compensation based on company, business, and/or individual performance.