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The Perkins & Will Group Inc

Design Program Manager

The Perkins & Will Group Inc, Chicago, IL

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The Design Program Manager is responsible for the development, planning, execution, and evaluation of robust schedule of high-profile, high-impact design programs across the organization. Working closely with our Chief Design Officer this role requires excellent organizational, creative, and communication skills to drive success. The position necessitates collaboration with various stakeholders throughout the firm to ensure program goals are met and maintain consistency with the company's brand identity.

Key Responsibilities

  • Work closely with Chief Design Officer to successfully manage and deliver a robust series of programs aimed at strengthening Perkins&Will's design culture and elevating the quality of work in the design disciplines - branded environments, interior design, architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design.
  • Understand the firm's mission, vision, and commitment to achieving excellence in Living Design. Proactively contribute to the overall success of the firm's design programs and inspire others.
  • Participate in developing, coordinating, managing, and executing internal design programs within budget, to include the Biennale, Design Excellence Annual Review, Peer Review, Phil Freelon Design Competition, PWU Design Forums, Indigo, design conferences, meetings, and other initiatives.
  • Assist with the strategic planning process including articulation of annual program goals, helping to formulate and manage the budget, overall planning and schedule efficiency, in close coordination with the Chief Design Officer.
  • Have strong verbal, written, and graphic communication skills. Provide complete and timely communications of program information to the design council, studios, practice leaders, and other stakeholders across the firm via documents, emails, PowerPoints, and Excel charts.
  • Foster a collaborative team environment and maintain open communication. Use a creative, proactive approach to problem solving to achieve innovative solutions. Maintain an understanding of design and industry trends to ensure Perkins&Will's continued leadership in the industry.
  • Be highly organized and detail oriented. Review work for accuracy, omissions, legibility, and compliance with firmwide standards and protocols. Coordinate with the firmwide marketing team to ensure branding consistency across all collateral and communications.
  • Be personable and inspire others.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Critical Skills:

  • Exceptional project management and organizational skills.

  • Strong graphic communication and design abilities.

  • Proficiency in technical, digital, and production delivery.

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.


Software Proficiency:

  • Design Tools: Adobe Suite (Acrobat, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator).

  • Project Management Tools: Microsoft Project, Asana, Monday, or similar platforms.

  • Other Tools: Open Asset, Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).


Licensure, Certifications, and Education:

  • 10+ years of relevant experience.

  • Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, communications, architecture, graphic design, or a related field.

  • LEED GA certification (preferred but not required).


We foster a culture that is diverse and inclusive and strive for pay practices that are fair, competitive and reflect our commitment to pay equity. Our compensation decisions include but are not limited to a candidate's qualifications including skill sets, education, experience and training, licensure and certifications credentials if applicable, and business-related factors. This practice extends to all employees, including performance considerations for merit increases, job promotions, and transfer opportunities. We additionally review our pay practices, conduct pay equity audits, and ensure our managers are trained in our pay practices on an annual basis.

Depending on the location, the annual pay salary range for this position, is between $103,200 and $164,900, commensurate with qualifications.

Benefits: medical, dental, vision, wellness, LTD, Life Insurance, 401k, PTO

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity policy ("EEO"), which is part of the Company's Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
Perkins&Will will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)