Senior Associate, Lighting Design

Legence • New York, NY

8d • $115,000 - $125,000 • Onsite

About The Position

ALD Lighting, a business unit of AMA Group, seeks a Senior Associate, Lighting Design to join its team in the Mid-Town Manhattan office. This senior-level project manager will own lighting design project delivery from concept through construction and work alongside the New York Principal. The role offers an opportunity to help build out the New York lighting team and contribute to the firm’s growth in the market.

ALD Lighting provides integrated lighting design services across hospitality, creative offices, higher education, media, campuses, entertainment, gaming, private and multifamily residential homes, and theme park attractions. It is nationally recognized, with offices in Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, and New Jersey.

The Senior Associate serves as project manager and day-to-day lead across a portfolio of lighting design projects. The role oversees scope, schedule, budget, client relationships, design development, technical coordination, construction administration, and team guidance. It also supports proposals and business development, mentors junior designers, and keeps current with industry developments and sustainable lighting practices.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in Lighting Design or Architectural Design and at least 10 years of professional lighting design experience. The stated salary is $125,000, and the role is eligible for an annual performance-based bonus that is not guaranteed. Benefits include a 401(k) plan with company match, health and welfare coverage, life and disability insurance, flexible non-accrual vacation, and company holidays. Business travel and related expenses are reimbursed under company policy. Candidates must have current U.S. work authorization; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Lighting Design or Architectural Design.
• At least 10 years of hands-on lighting design experience, including project management responsibility for multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing project scope, schedule, fees, and budgets from concept through construction administration.
• Proven client-facing experience and effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience leading and mentoring junior designers and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, and AGI for lighting design and documentation.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating a diverse range of successful lighting design projects.
• Familiarity with the New York City market and its regulatory requirements.
• Exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Knowledge of sustainable lighting practices and emerging technologies.
• Current U.S. work authorization; visa sponsorship is unavailable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple concurrent lighting design projects from concept through construction administration, delivering projects on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Develop and maintain project scopes, fees, schedules, and staffing plans; track budgets and hours; and manage scope changes and additional services.
• Serve as a primary client contact by leading client and design team meetings, setting expectations, and managing communication, deliverables, and approvals.
• Coordinate with architects, interior designers, engineers, and contractors to resolve conflicts and advance multidisciplinary projects.
• Review project deliverables for design quality, technical accuracy, and consistency before release.
• Manage construction administration, including submittals, RFIs, shop drawing reviews, mock-ups, site visits, and punch lists.
• Develop and present creative lighting concepts and designs tailored to client requirements.
• Guide the use of AutoCAD, Revit, and Adobe Creative Suite to present ideas and produce lighting plans and documentation, and use AGI to model and test designs photometrically.
• Conduct on-site evaluations of existing lighting conditions and recommend improvements.
• Support proposal development and business development efforts to grow the New York lighting practice.
• Mentor and supervise junior team members, allocate their work, and help build out the New York lighting team.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and sustainable lighting practices.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with dollar-for-dollar company match up to 4% of eligible pay and immediate vesting.
• Employer-provided medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, Employee Assistance Program, and accident and illness coverage.
• Employer-provided basic life insurance and AD&D coverage valued at $50,000, with voluntary buy-up options.
• Flexible non-accrual vacation.
• Company holidays according to policy.
• Reimbursement of business travel and related expenses according to company policy.
• Annual performance-based bonus eligibility; payout is determined by role, individual performance, and company performance and is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior