Interior Designer Assistant Jobs in Needham, MA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Interior Designer

SMMA is seeking a full-time, Senior Interior Designer to join our collaborative team of storytellers, designers, writers, and thinkers in our Cambridge, MA office. This role is ideal for someone passionate about design, human experience, and the built environment, and who is eager to grow both intellectually and creatively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

The Senior Interior Designer will report to the Director of Interior Design. You will work with team members and Project Directors on planning, coordinating, and administering projects. You will also lead design efforts, design direction and client engagement.

Essential Job Functions:

Primary Role

• Responsible for client contact and obtaining client approval of design concepts and directives, then communicating goals and responsibilities to project team.
• Take initiative on strategic issues including design direction and providing quality control management.
• Develop and coordinate detailed design concepts with ability to develop functional requirements and project-design criteria.
• Respond to technical implications of design decisions.
• Promote firm and project goals of excellence in design, execution, and sustainability.

Technical

• Implement code, accessibility, and zoning analyses.
• Assist with design and technical coordination among disciplines (architecture, branded environments) and consultants (HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, AV, TelData and Safety).

Marketing

• Act as a Senior Interior Designer in Marketing and Business Development efforts.
• Seek and identify new work associated with existing projects and clients.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities with potential clients.
• Participate in marketing efforts that may lead to interviews / presentations to prospective clients or industry partners.
• Actively participate in recruiting.
• Actively participate in professional associations (NAIOP, IFMA) to publicly promote SMMA and aid in client development.

Management

• Facilitate program development with project team.
• Ensure adherence to internal project budgets and schedules, immediately informing Project Manager/Project Director of any potential variances to the budget to make appropriate modifications.
• Prepare design presentations, assuming design leads in client and owner presentations.
• Assign tasks, oversee work, and provide feedback to Interior Design staff assigned to their projects.
• Direct, organize, and mentor Interior Designers on projects and within the department.
• Manage overall client relationships, ensuring positive outcomes resulting in additional business or referred work.
• High level of commitment to projects and clients, firm culture, and office initiatives.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education

• Professional Degree from CIDA Accredited Interior Design program or related accredited discipline.
• 15+ years: preferred experience working in corporate interiors, education, and life sciences project roles.

Experience

• Strong design portfolio.
• Exceptional level of design and technical leadership skills in all phases and aspects of design.
• Advanced experience in interior design specifications, calculations and industry standards, and application of building codes and specifications.
• Extensive knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, lighting, and acoustics.
• Adept at Revit, SketchUp, Enscape, Adobe Office Suite, Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent presentation and graphic communication skills.
• Proactive in nurturing client and industry relationships.
• Demonstrates a consistent high level of performance and professionalism with an ability to manage and lead all levels of staff.
• NCIDQ Certified or equivalent Licensure.

About SMMA

70 years ago, SMMA pioneered an approach that integrates architecture, engineering, interior design, and planning to turn the most tangled design problems into refined and unexpected answers. Together, our diverse, integrated team of experts works across disciplines, sharing perspectives, inspirations, and ideas. We are bound by mutual trust, aligned by shared values, and united in focus on a single goal-our client's goal.

Our work straddles seven markets- Development, Government, Higher Education, K-12, Life Sciences, Technology, and Workplace-with the opportunity to work across a wide range of projects and specialisms.

SMMA is a 100% employee-owned company, where every team member is an invested stakeholder. Our collective ownership fuels our passion for excellence, driving us to attract top talent and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Here, your voice matters, your ideas shape our future, and your success directly contributes to our shared growth.

Company Perks

• Employee-owned firm with Employee Stock Ownership Program
• Hybrid work-from-home policy
• Competitive benefits including paid time-off, company-funded MA Paid Family and Medical Leave, company-paid dental plan, company-paid life insurance, and 401(K) matching
• Employee Assistance Program (includes confidential emotional support, legal guidance, and financial resources)
• Mentor/protege program
• Educational reimbursement
• Licensure and membership reimbursement
• "Lunch and Learns" with internal and external speakers

Please note: SMMA does not offer H-1B visa sponsorship for this position.

The approximate pay range for this position is $95,000 - $115,000.

Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual's qualifications.