Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated

Senior Design Director

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated • $140K — $180K *
Chicago, IL 60629In-Person
Real Estate & Construction
11 - 15 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years of experience in commercial interior design focusing on workplace environments.
  • Bachelor's or master's degree in interior design, Interior Architecture, or Architecture from an accredited program.
  • NCIDQ certification required; LEED AP, WELL AP, or Fitwel Ambassador strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated portfolio showcasing leadership in workplace projects of varying scales.
  • Proven track record leading design for Fortune 500 companies or high-profile workplace projects.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and articulate design vision and strategy for complex workplace interior projects.
  • Lead design charrettes and visioning sessions with senior client stakeholders.
  • Champion design excellence and ensure consistency with firm standards across project portfolios.
  • Direct all phases of design development from concept to construction documentation.
  • Serve as primary design contact for key client accounts, building trusted relationships with senior executives.

Benefits

  • 401(k) plan with matching company contributions
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care
  • Paid parental leave at 100% of salary
  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
  • Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay
Full Job Description
JLL Design seeks an accomplished Senior Design Director to lead creative and strategic excellence across our North American interiors practice. This senior leadership role unites workplace strategy with hands-on design expertise to deliver transformative environments that advance client performance, strengthen our practice, and shape how leading organizations work. This position requires a seasoned design professional with deep workplace expertise who can balance bold creative vision with pragmatic execution.

You'll set creative and strategic direction while ensuring delivery excellence across multiple projects and teams. As a client-facing leader, you'll translate business objectives into compelling spatial solutions, mentor design teams, and maintain accountability for design quality and performance across all deliverables. You'll also be a part of building our workplace strategy and advisory dimension in the Americas, bringing data and research together to help clients make confident decisions about how and where their people work. Active participation in business development and practice growth is essential to this role. You'll inspire teams and clients through strategic thinking and design excellence, partnering closely with business development, project management, and technical disciplines to ensure alignment with client objectives and business goals.

Qualifications & Skills:
  • 15+ years' experience working on commercial Interior Design with significant focus on workplace environments through design and consultancy.
  • Bachelor's or master's degree in interior design, Interior Architecture, or Architecture from an accredited program.
  • NCIDQ certification required. LEED AP, WELL AP, or Fitwel Ambassador credentials strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated portfolio of completed workplace projects showcasing design leadership on projects of varying scale and complexity.
  • Proven track record leading design for Fortune 500 companies, corporate headquarters, or similar high-profile workplace projects.
  • Expert-level proficiency in space planning, programming, and workplace strategy principles.
  • Advanced knowledge of building systems, construction methods, and materials applications.
  • Comprehensive understanding of accessibility codes and life safety requirements.
  • Proficiency with design software including Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and visualization tools.
  • Familiarity with workplace data analytics platforms and occupancy planning tools.
  • Exceptional leadership presence with ability to inspire teams and influence senior stakeholders.
  • Strong project management skills including budgeting and scheduling.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while maintaining design quality and meeting deadlines.
  • Experience mentoring junior staff and building high-performing teams.
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with ability to articulate complex design concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Polished presentation skills with experience presenting to C-suite executives and large groups.
  • Strong facilitation and consensus-building capabilities.
  • Ability to prepare compelling design narratives and documentation.
  • Understanding of commercial real estate fundamentals, workplace economics, and client business drivers.
  • Awareness of competitive landscape and market trends affecting workplace design sector.
  • Established industry relationships and professional network.
  • Entrepreneurial attitude - must be self-motivated and self-managed and can multi-task and organize several projects at a given time.
  • Able to meet concurrent deadlines, sometimes under pressure and tight deadlines.
  • Seeks out and responds well to feedback and direction from others.
  • Ability to work both independently and within the fabric of a design team.
  • Team player, culture-builder.
  • Proven experience leading workplace strategy, consulting, or advisory engagements, translating business goals, work patterns, and occupancy data into actionable workplace recommendations.
  • Demonstrated success setting strategic direction across a regional or national practice, including portfolio-level and multi-account programs.
  • Experience contributing to business growth, including go-to-market strategy, leading pursuits, and supporting practice financial performance across North America.
  • Fluency in change management, workplace research, and post-occupancy evaluation to connect design decisions to measurable business and employee outcomes.
  • Strong command of workplace data and analytics, using utilization, occupancy, and experience metrics to guide strategy and demonstrate value.
  • Track record building, integrating, and leading multidisciplinary design and strategy teams across multiple locations.


Responsibilities:
  • Develop and articulate design vision and strategy for complex workplace interior projects.
  • Lead design charrettes and visioning sessions with senior client stakeholders, establishing design direction.
  • Champion design excellence across project portfolios while ensuring consistency with firm standards and methodologies.
  • Direct all phases of design development from concept through construction documentation, maintaining design integrity throughout project lifecycle.
  • Review, approve, and/or lead design deliverables including space plans, design documentation and visualization, finish selections, client presentations, and detail documentation.
  • Coordinate with technical disciplines including MEP, structural, acoustics, and technology to ensure integrated, holistic design solutions. Conduct design quality reviews and mentor project teams to elevate design standards.
  • Serve as primary design contact for key client accounts, building trusted advisor relationships with C-suite executives, real estate leaders, and workplace strategists.
  • Lead client presentations communicating design concepts, rationale, and value proposition with clarity and conviction.
  • Navigate complex stakeholder environments, facilitating consensus among diverse groups while managing expectations and maintaining design vision.
  • Provide regular coaching, feedback, and professional development opportunities to strengthen team capabilities.
  • Co-lead workplace strategy agenda for the North American practice, aligning design direction with evolving ways of working, real estate goals, and workplace trends.
  • Lead strategic advisory engagements, including workplace visioning, work pattern analysis, and occupancy planning, that connect client business objectives to design outcomes.
  • Grow the design and strategy practice across North America, contributing to revenue targets, pursuit strategy, and integrated service offerings.
  • Partner with leadership to develop tools, methodologies, and thought leadership that strengthen JLL Design's strategic capability and market position.
  • Use workplace data, research, and post-occupancy insight to inform decisions and demonstrate measurable value to clients.
  • Expected 10%-20% travel to project sites as required.


This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Estimated compensation for this position:

140,000.00 - 180,000.00 USD per year

This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location:

On-site -Chicago, IL

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet all the requirements. We're interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include:
  • 401(k) plan with matching company contributions
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care
  • Paid parental leave at 100% of salary
  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
  • Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay

About Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated

Jones Lang LaSalle is a financial and professional services firm that specializes in commercial real estate services and investment management. Its services include: tenant representation for organizations that lease office, industrial and retail spaces; consulting, which supports companies to develop workplace strategies such as occupancy planning, relocations, and energy and environmental sustainability initiatives; project and development services to manage ground-up creation, building construction, and major interior renovations; capital markets and real estate investment banking, which helps organizations buy and sell properties, and improve the financial impact of their real estate; facilities management for a variety of properties including office towers, retail and exhibition centers, and government, collegiate and industrial complexes; property management services, that provide on-site administration to help owners of office, industrial, retail and specialty properties reduce costs and enhance their property values; and valuations that provide impartial assessments of real estate worth through more than 200 corporate offices in 70 countries. Jones Lang LaSalle was formed by the merger of Jones Lang Wootton, a British firm with origins dating back to 1783, and LaSalle Partners, an American company formed from a predecessor launched in 1968. Jones Lang Wootton opened its first US office in New York in 1975. In 1997, the initial public offering was completed by LaSalle Partners for the company's common stock in the market.

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated Careers

Join the dynamic team at Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL), a global leader in real estate services, where your career journey is just as important as the professional milestones you aim to achieve. At JLL, we offer more than just job opportunities; we provide a platform for growth, innovation, and leadership in an industry that shapes the world around us.

Work You’ll Do

At JLL, you will be part of a culture that prizes diversity, teamwork, and forward-thinking. Whether you are looking for a full-time position or an internship, JLL offers a variety of roles that cater to your professional skills and personal development goals. Our team is composed of the brightest minds in real estate, providing you with unparalleled mentorship and networking opportunities that foster career advancement.

Innovate and Lead

Embrace the opportunity to lead projects that redefine the real estate landscape, leveraging JLL’s global scale and deep industry expertise. Our commitment to innovation is evident in every strategy we implement and every building we manage. By joining our team, you will collaborate with professionals who are eager to share their knowledge and push the boundaries of what is possible in real estate.

Professional Growth and Development

JLL is dedicated to the professional growth of its employees. We offer robust training programs, including leadership development and diversity training, to ensure you are equipped for success. Our benefits extend beyond the basics, encompassing health, wellness, and financial planning to support you and your family at all stages of life.

Explore Job Opportunities

JLL is continuously expanding, and we are hiring across multiple disciplines. Explore positions that match your skills and interests in areas such as property management, sustainability, financial analysis, and more. We look for driven, curious, and innovative team players who are ready to make an impact.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with a JLL internship. Gain hands-on experience, build your resume, and make invaluable industry connections. Our internships provide a deep dive into the real estate sector, allowing you to apply academic learning to real-world challenges.

Join Our Team

Ready to advance your career at Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated? Search open positions, read about our employment benefits, and prepare your resume. The interview process at JLL not only assesses your fit for the company but also ensures our culture aligns with your career aspirations.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest from JLL Careers by subscribing to our job alert emails. Receive personalized updates that align with your career preferences and learn about new opportunities in real-time.

Networking and Industry Leadership

At JLL, networking doesn’t end with your hire date. Continue to connect with leaders and peers through our various professional networks and community engagement initiatives. Lead the way in industry discussions, participate in global conferences, and contribute to innovative solutions that drive the future of real estate. At Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated, we don’t just offer jobs—we offer careers that make a difference. Join us in shaping the future of real estate, one innovation at a time.
Learn more about Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated
Size
98,000 employees
Market Cap
$7.4 billion
Industry
Real Estate & Construction
Net Income
$402.5 million
Founded
1783
5 Year Trend
+8.3%
Revenue
$16.5 billion
NASDAQ
JLL
* Ladders Estimates

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