Design Manager

Join McKissack & McKissack's team! Immediate opening for a Design Manager in the Chicago, IL area.

McKissack & McKissack is hiring a Design Manager in Chicago, IL to support workplace design and corporate real estate projects in a fast-paced aviation environment. We’re looking for a well-rounded interior architecture/design professional who brings technical expertise, strategic thinking, and confidence working with stakeholders. At McKissack, you’ll join a collaborative, growth-minded culture that values diversity, integrity, professional development, and team players who are humble, hungry, and smart.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the development and implementation of design standards, including selection of FF&E, finishes, and other design elements in partnership with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
• Partner with CRE Project Managers to develop and coordinate conceptual designs for executive and finance review.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop strategic design solutions for workplace and operational environments while supporting new initiatives.
• Develop and lead space planning, programming, test fits, and utilization studies for United-owned and maintained facilities throughout the network.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities while effectively balancing workload based on leadership direction.
• Review and interpret architectural plans prepared by third-party architects and engineers.
• Serve as a design subject matter expert for new and evolving workplace initiatives.
• Develop and maintain workplace design standards, including furniture, finishes, and design guidelines.
• Lead workplace programming efforts by gathering and translating stakeholder requirements into design solutions.
• Conduct space planning, test fits, utilization studies, and occupancy evaluations.
• Partner with project managers to develop conceptual designs for executive and stakeholder review.
• Collaborate with end users and business stakeholders to understand needs and gather feedback.
• Select and coordinate furniture, fixtures, equipment (FF&E), materials, and finishes.
• Create floor plans, diagrams, renderings, and other visual tools to communicate design concepts.
• Review architectural and engineering drawings for compliance with project requirements and design standards.
• Ensure designs comply with ADA and accessibility standards.
• Develop professional presentations and visual deliverables for executive and client-facing meetings.
• Serve as a design subject matter expert for workplace and operational environment initiatives.
• Manage multiple projects, priorities, schedules, documentation, and stakeholder expectations simultaneously.
• Support strategic workplace planning initiatives that balance operational, business, and employee experience goals.
• Coordinate with internal teams, architects, engineers, consultants, and vendors throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepare and present design recommendations to leadership teams with confidence and professionalism.

Preferred Project Experience

· Workplace / Corporate Office Design – Approximately 50% of experience.

· Operational Support Spaces / Industrial – Approximately 20% of experience.

· Aviation / Transportation – Approximately 20% of experience.

· Retail / Hospitality Support Environments – Approximately 10% of experience.

· Interior Architecture (Preferred) – Broad experience spanning multiple project typologies, with an emphasis on workplace, operational, and transportation environments.

Software Proficiency

· Revit – Proficient

· Enscape – Proficient

· Adobe InDesign – Proficient

· AutoCAD – Proficient

· Microsoft Office Suite – Proficient

· Bluebeam – Proficient

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in interior design and/or Architecture.
• 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in workplace/corporate office design required.
• Aviation, industrial, or operational environment experience strongly preferred.
• Client-side or highly collaborative consulting experience preferred.
• NCIDQ certification preferred.
• Knowledge of applicable design codes, including ADA.
• Software proficiency in Excel, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Revit, and Adobe InDesign.
• Strong communication, presentation, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in the Chicago office (Willis Tower) up to three days per week.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Compensation:

Salary range: $105,000 - $130,000/yearly (dependent on years of experience, competency, travel requirements)

Employee Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dependent Care
• Commuter Benefits
• Tuition Assistance
• Adoption Assistance
• Matching 401k Plan
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid-Time-Off (PTO)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Marketplace Perks-at-Work

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement - McKissack & McKissack is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, and local laws.

This statement applies to all employment practices, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and termination. Salary ranges will be disclosed where required by law (e.g., CA, CO, NY, MA). Applicants needing reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact [email protected]

Our aim is for the company to be representative of all sections of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to a policy of treating all our employees and job applications equally.