West Coast Interiors Lead

SOM•San Francisco, CA

8d•$150,000 - $200,000

About The Position

Lead SOM’s San Francisco and Los Angeles Interiors studios and establish a vision for the design and delivery of Interior Design on the West Coast, serving the region’s distinctive markets and culture, including AI, technology, and entertainment clients. The role collaborates with leaders across the firm to share ideas and opportunities and contribute to SOM’s global expertise and portfolio. The position strengthens and grows the West Coast and firmwide interiors practice by fostering design excellence, excellent project and studio management, business development, process improvement, talent development, and effective collaboration. The lead is responsible for practice leadership and culture, business development and strategy, studio management, and technical and design excellence.

Requirements

Professional degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related field.
Licensed in the state of practice.
At least 12 years of experience or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Strong understanding of sustainable strategies and principles, including familiarity with LEED or other green building rating systems.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Familiarity with appropriate software.

Nice To Haves

LEED or other green building accreditation.

Responsibilities

Lead the Interiors practice in collaboration with West Coast studio leadership to achieve design, technical, and financial success.
Develop strategies to build and inspire teams and enhance studio culture.
Mentor and train staff, set clear expectations and responsibilities, empower team members, and delegate appropriately.
Manage client relationships and project teams for small, medium, and large-scale corporate, hospitality, and/or residential interiors projects.
Participate in internal and external professional development opportunities.
Lead marketing efforts, formulate strategic business plans, and manage the project pipeline.
Manage existing project pipeline and new business and marketing efforts.
Review RFPs, qualify bids, assign due dates and tasks to collaborators, and provide responses.
Cultivate strong client relationships and provide excellent client service.
Monitor the financial performance of the studio.
Plan, organize, direct, mentor, and coordinate project-team work across technical, design, and management aspects and all project phases, with minimal oversight from a Principal and/or Partner.
Oversee project plans with input from Design and Technical leads.
Contribute to developing standards, policies, and procedures.
Assess project risk in collaboration with SOM leaders and the legal group, and mitigate risk through contract familiarity and collaboration with leadership and legal teams.
Review project documents and ensure associated documents meet SOM’s quality-control program.
Oversee internal controls, including client agreements, additional services, billings, collections, and expense management.
Lead the development of creative, innovative solutions to complex problems and guide teams in supporting research and documentation.
Provide technical, design, and management leadership throughout project phases in collaboration with partners and principals.
Apply industry best practices across programming, planning, design, construction documentation, construction administration, and consulting-engineering coordination.
Lead teams in workplace planning and design concept development, and apply knowledge of design and detailing standards, materials, building systems, applicable codes, FF&E, construction techniques, and market costs.
Implement SOM standard procedures and protocols to ensure continuity, coordination, and consistency of project documentation in support of firmwide goals.