Senior Interior Designer

Populous•Detroit, MI

3h•$95,000 - $105,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Populous is a global design firm that focuses on creating places where people love to be together, through experiences that capture all the senses. The firm designs and delivers memorable civic, sports, and entertainment buildings, from iconic stadia to ground-breaking live music venues. Populous offers the resources and impact of design giants while maintaining the tightly knit atmosphere and growth opportunities of smaller firms. They are seeking a Senior Interior Designer with 15+ years of professional experience to lead complex design projects from concept through completion, integrating strategic thinking, client engagement, and design leadership. The preferred candidate will have proven success leading interior design projects within a diverse range of public assembly building types, including sports venues, convention centers, and transportation facilities.

Requirements

Proven ability to lead complex interior design projects independently from concept through completion within a dynamic, creative studio environment.
Strategic design thinker with mastery of spatial planning, brand integration, storytelling, and environmental design across diverse project typologies.
Demonstrated leadership in conceptual development, project organization, technical delivery, and team oversight.
Experienced in managing multiple large-scale projects simultaneously while ensuring alignment with timelines, budgets, and design excellence.
Adept in leading high-level client engagements, presenting design vision persuasively, and facilitating strategic design discussions.
Skilled at fostering trust with clients and stakeholders while directing large interdisciplinary consultant teams.
Strong mentor and team leader with a commitment to professional development and design culture.
Expert in freehand and digital sketching to rapidly communicate design intent and drive decision-making.
Exceptional communication skills to articulate complex ideas clearly and inspire internal and external audiences.
Detail-oriented and highly accountable, consistently delivering quality in demanding and fast-paced project environments.
Advanced proficiency in Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, and both hand-drawn and digital rendering techniques.
Deeply committed to design excellence, innovation, and collaborative leadership.
An accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree (or equivalent) in interior design or interior architecture.
15+ years of professional interior design experience.
NCIDQ certification.

Nice To Haves

Proven success leading interior design projects within a diverse range of public assembly building types including sports venues, convention centers, community buildings and transportation facilities.
LEED, WELL, or other relevant credentials.

Responsibilities

Leading the development and execution of complete interior design concepts, space planning strategies, and material selections across multiple project types.
Directing the production of detailed drawings, diagrams, and presentation materials.
Overseeing and ensuring design continuity, technical quality, and project documentation through all project phases.
Guiding collaboration across internal teams and directing coordination with consultants to realize and elevate design intent.
Structuring and leading design reviews, client presentations, and team charrettes.
Managing project timelines, deliverables and budgets to ensure operational excellence.
Providing leadership, mentorship and support for junior and mid-level designers and fostering an innovative design culture.