Interiors Lead

 At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things.

Success at SOM Means

• Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm.

• Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge.

• Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work.

• Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm.

• Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential.

• Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.

Position Overview

Lead the Los Angeles Interiors practice in collaboration with other Los Angeles Studio leaders and collaborate with other Interior practice leaders across the firm. Goals for the position include strengthening and growing the Los Angeles and firmwide interiors practice through, fostering an environment that supports design excellence, exceptional management of projects and the studio, business development, process improvements, talent development and effective collaboration within the Interiors practice and other disciplines across the firm.

Position Responsibilities

1) Leadership:

• Lead the Interiors practice through close collaboration with Los Angeles studio leadership to achieve design, technical and financial success.

• Provide thought leadership and development of strategies to build and inspire teams, and to enhance studio culture.

• Lead by example, participate in staff mentoring and training, clearly define team member expectations and responsibilities, empower others, and delegate where appropriate, based on team members' recognized abilities and potential.

• Engage in internal and external professional development opportunities.

• Contribute to the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.

• Lead business development.

2) Management:

• Be responsible for monitoring the financial performance of the practice.

• Formulate strategic business plans.

• Manage existing project pipeline and new business and marketing efforts.

• Organize project plans with input from Design and Technical leads.

• Contribute to the development of standards, policies, and procedures.

• Participate in project design, technical discussions and decision making.

• Review RFPs, qualify bids, assign due dates and tasks to key collaborators, and provide responses.

• Assess project risk management through close collaboration with SOM leaders and our legal group.

3) Project Management:

• Prepare quality agreements with clients including letters of intent, memoranda of understanding, and professional service agreements. Executes additional service agreements and gains authorization by phase.

• Collaborate with Leadership to prepare, issue, and manage compliance plans to align project goals including budget, deliverables and schedule.

• Recruit, mentor and train new staff for the Interiors team and oversees their performance

• Administer internal control procedures with Project Accountant including billing, collections, percent complete, expense management, and year-end activities. Analyze project reports and proactively manage the profitability of projects.

• Assist in managing the owner/client relationship and expectations to allow SOM to work effectively, efficiently and collaboratively.

• Initiate, monitor and maintain project schedule and work plans including scheduling of meetings and presentations.

• Communicate with other LA Studio leaders through regularly scheduled meetings.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a professional degree in Interior or Architecture or a related field.

• Licensed in state of practice; LEED or other green building accreditation preferred.

• Minimum 10 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 and verbal and written communication skills.

• Familiarity with appropriate software.

Our Benefits:

Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance.

Savings: 401K matching, pre-tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs.

Work/Life Balance: Inquire about our approach to flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program.

Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in-house career development.

Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $120,000-$170,000.

Our Culture:

Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. Here, you’ll collaborate with industry experts on some of the most exciting and transformative architecture, engineering, and planning projects in the world.

We believe an inclusive environment improves our teams, our firm, and our communities and are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our DEI Action Plan was created to bring meaningful change to our profession, starting with our own culture and practices. 

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM's employment policy and how to apply offline: www.som.com/employment_opportunities_and_policy

 For more about SOM: www.som.com

Portfolios must be submitted for all design and project management positions (Architecture, Interiors, City Design, Graphics, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed.  Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.