Senior Design Manager- Corporate Real Estate

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Design Manager - Corporate Real Estate

Company: Raymond James

Location: Remote - Florida, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Corporate Real Estate Design & Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-10

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (3-6 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversee and manage the interior design and planning process for corporate real estate projects, ensuring alignment with company standards and objectives.

• Lead design development, client engagement, and coordination across all project phases, from conceptualization to completion.

• Leverage technical expertise in architectural and interior design software to produce comprehensive design packages and visualizations.

• Collaborate closely with Project Management, Workplace Strategy, and cross-functional teams to ensure successful project execution and integration.

• Drive continuous improvement in design processes, standards, and the adoption of emerging technologies, including AI-enabled design tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on the practical application of design principles within a corporate real estate context, emphasizing execution and cross-functional collaboration rather than purely strategic leadership. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a forward-thinking approach to design efficiency and visualization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver comprehensive Design Development (DD) packages, including approved space plans, equipment and furniture layouts, power/data plans, reflected ceiling plans, finish palettes, and furniture specifications.

• Utilize and evaluate emerging AI-enabled design, visualization, documentation, and workflow tools to enhance design efficiency, visualization quality, coordination accuracy, and client communication, ensuring alignment with Raymond James standards.

• Translate workplace strategy guidelines and approved programs into functional design solutions through iterative test fits, ensuring all designs are safe, code-compliant, and aesthetically appropriate.

• Serve as the primary design point-of-contact for internal and external clients, managing expectations, facilitating reviews, gathering feedback, and securing approvals throughout the design lifecycle.

• Coordinate closely with Project Management to align design milestones with project schedules, budgets, and deliverable timelines, and provide timely design documentation for permitting, vendor coordination, and construction.

• Lead furniture and art package coordination efforts, collaborating with dealers, architects, contractors, and internal teams to ensure accuracy in layouts, specifications, lead times, and installation planning.

• Review and refine test fits, drawings, and design deliverables to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with project goals and corporate standards.

• Maintain and update Revit templates based on approved design standards and produce conceptual renderings using Enscape to support client understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach to design management, requiring a blend of technical design skills, project coordination, and client-facing communication. The explicit mention of AI tools indicates a need for candidates to be adaptable and open to technological integration in design workflows.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Project Management, or a related field.

• Architectural license, Interior Design license, or LEED certification is a plus. Experience:

• 3 to 6 years of direct experience in workplace, commercial interior, or architectural design, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Previous experience working in a financial services firm or other corporate environment is strongly preferred. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit (or SketchUp), Enscape, Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam Revu, and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Strong understanding of building codes, life-safety standards, and corporate design guidelines.

• Proven ability to analyze, plan, design, document, and manage interior non-structural projects.

• Excellent client management and stakeholder coordination skills, with the ability to present design concepts effectively.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with accuracy and attention to detail.

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Client-focused mindset with a commitment to balancing business, budget, and design objectives.

• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships across all organizational levels and with external partners. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-enabled design, visualization, documentation, and workflow tools.

• Familiarity with workplace strategy principles and their application in design.

• Experience in furniture coordination and art curation for corporate spaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement bridges mid-level and senior roles, suggesting a need for candidates who can operate independently while also collaborating effectively. The preference for financial services experience indicates a need for understanding the specific compliance and operational nuances of that industry.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing a range of workplace and commercial interior design projects, with a focus on test fits, space planning, and design development.

• Include examples of how design solutions addressed specific client business needs, operational requirements, and space optimization goals.

• Showcase clear documentation of finish selections, FF&E standards, and conceptual renderings (e.g., Enscape).

• Highlight projects where you managed client expectations, coordinated with cross-functional teams, and ensured adherence to design standards and building codes. Process Documentation:

• Present case studies detailing your process for managing projects from concept through completion, including client engagement, design reviews, and construction coordination.

• Illustrate your approach to integrating workplace strategy and corporate branding into design solutions.

• Include examples of how you have used design software (AutoCAD, Revit, Enscape, etc.) to document and communicate design intent.

• If applicable, provide examples of how you have evaluated or implemented new design technologies or processes to improve efficiency or outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on practical application and project lifecycle management. Candidates should be prepared to visually and verbally walk through their design process, highlighting problem-solving, collaboration, and adherence to standards, with a potential focus on how new technologies were integrated.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the "Senior" title, 3-6 years of experience, and a remote position in Florida, a competitive salary range for a Senior Design Manager in Corporate Real Estate is estimated between $90,000 - $125,000 annually. This range is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the financial services sector, considering the specialized skills in architectural/interior design, project coordination, and the adoption of new technologies.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.

• Life Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, and Accident Insurance.

• Disability Benefits.

• Retirement Savings plan.

• Paid Time Off, including vacation, holidays, and sick leave.

• Parental Leave.

• Access to MyRJbenefits.com for detailed benefit information. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week.

• The remote nature of the role offers flexibility in structuring the workday, but consistent availability for client meetings, team collaborations, and project deadlines is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for senior design and project management roles in the US, with adjustments for the specified experience level and location. The benefits package is extensive and typical for a large financial services firm.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Investment Banking & Brokerage)

Company Size: Large (Raymond James is a significant publicly traded company with thousands of employees). This implies established processes, robust infrastructure, and a structured corporate environment. For operations professionals, this often means clear roles, defined career paths, and access to resources, but potentially a more formal decision-making process.

Founded: 1962. A long history suggests stability, a well-established brand, and a deep understanding of the financial services market.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the Branch Project Development (BPD) Design Team, which is a specialized unit within the broader Corporate Real Estate or Facilities Management function.

• The SDM is a key leadership role within this team, likely reporting to a Design Director or Head of BPD.

• This role involves significant collaboration with Project Management, Workplace Strategy, and potentially external consultants, vendors, and contractors. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Utilizes workplace strategy guidelines and approved programs to inform space plans and layouts, ensuring designs meet operational requirements and space optimization goals.

• Standardization & Consistency: Emphasizes applying new design standards, guidelines, and processes consistently across the portfolio to maintain brand integrity and functional uniformity.

• Client-Centric Approach: Focuses on understanding and translating client needs into functional design solutions, managing expectations, and facilitating decision-making.

• Technology Integration: Actively seeks to incorporate emerging technologies, including AI tools, to improve design efficiency, visualization, and client communication.

Company Website: https://www.raymondjames.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Raymond James's culture is described as "people-first" with guiding behaviors that emphasize development, collaboration, decision-making, delivery, and improvement. This suggests an environment where individual contributions are valued, teamwork is essential, and a focus on outcomes and continuous enhancement is expected.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Design Manager role, indicating a position beyond entry-level or junior associate. It requires independent project management, technical expertise, and client interaction. It sits within the specialized domain of Corporate Real Estate design, contributing to the broader operational efficiency and employee experience within the firm.

Reporting Structure: The role reports within the Branch Project Development (BPD) Design Team. While described as a "key leadership role," the description clarifies it's "hands-on, execution-focused" rather than "strategic leadership of a large team." This implies direct reporting to a senior manager or director overseeing the design function.

Operations Impact: The Senior Design Manager directly impacts the firm's physical footprint and employee workspace, which is critical for productivity, client perception (for branches), and employee satisfaction. Effective design management contributes to operational efficiency by ensuring spaces are functional, cost-effective, and aligned with long-term business strategies. The adoption of new technologies like AI can also drive significant cost savings and speed up project delivery.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-enabled design tools and advanced visualization techniques, becoming a subject matter expert within the firm.

• Project Scope: Transition to managing larger, more complex, or strategically critical real estate projects.

• Team Leadership: Potentially move into a management role overseeing a team of designers or project coordinators as the BPD team grows or evolves.

• Cross-Functional Advancement: Leverage design and project management skills to move into broader Project Management, Workplace Strategy, or Facilities Operations leadership roles within Raymond James.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as a senior individual contributor with significant responsibility for execution. Growth opportunities are likely tied to increasing project complexity, specialized skill development (especially in technology), and potential progression into team leadership or broader operational management within real estate.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This offers significant flexibility in terms of location within Florida and work-life balance.

Office Location(s): Remote - Florida, United States. Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to Florida.

Workspace Context:

• Home Office: The primary workspace will be a home office, requiring self-discipline and effective time management.

• Virtual Collaboration: Heavy reliance on virtual collaboration tools (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.) for meetings, presentations, and team interactions.

• Technology Access: Requires a reliable internet connection and a suitable home office setup to effectively use required software and participate in virtual meetings.

• Limited Travel: Travel is expected to be less than 25%, likely for essential site visits, key client meetings, or team off-sites.

Work Schedule:

• Standard business hours are expected, aligned with the Eastern Time Zone (America/New York).

• While remote, maintaining availability during core business hours is crucial for collaboration with teams and clients across different time zones and project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature is a key aspect, requiring candidates to be highly self-motivated and proficient in virtual communication and collaboration tools. The Florida residency requirement is specific and must be met.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager focusing on experience, technical skills, project examples, and understanding of the role's responsibilities.

• Technical/Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, demonstrating their design process, problem-solving abilities, software proficiency, and project outcomes. Expect questions on specific projects, design challenges, and how AI tools were (or could be) applied.

• Cross-Functional/Team Interview: Interviews with key stakeholders, such as Project Managers or Workplace Strategists, to assess collaboration skills and ability to integrate design into broader project goals.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to confirm fit and discuss compensation/offer details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in corporate interior design, space planning, and design development. Prioritize projects that show impact and client satisfaction.

• Showcase Process: For each project, walk through your methodology: problem identification, design exploration, client engagement, problem-solving, technical execution (software used), and final outcome.

• Highlight AI Integration: If you have experience with AI tools, dedicate specific slides or discussion points to how they enhanced your workflow, visualization, or client communication. Be prepared to discuss potential applications for Raymond James.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., space utilization improvements, efficiency gains, positive client feedback).

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Prepare to discuss your proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Enscape, and the Adobe Suite, and how you use them for specific design tasks.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge, which might involve a hypothetical scenario for a branch office or corporate space. This could be a test fit, a conceptual design problem, or a discussion on how to apply new design standards.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, focusing on how your solution meets the stated requirements and aligns with corporate objectives.

• Be ready to discuss your understanding of building codes and life-safety standards relevant to commercial interiors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily involve a portfolio review, so candidates must be prepared to articulate their design process and project outcomes clearly. Specific questions about AI tools and their application in corporate real estate design are highly likely.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD/BIM: AutoCAD, Revit (primary for 3D modeling, documentation, and creating templates). SketchUp may be an alternative or supplementary tool.

• Visualization: Enscape (for real-time rendering and conceptual visualizations).

• Creative Suite: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) for presentations, image editing, and graphic collateral.

• Documentation/Collaboration: Bluebeam Revu (for PDF markups, collaboration, and document management).

• Productivity: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for general business communication and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, the ability to interpret and present data related to space utilization, project timelines, and budget adherence will be important. Proficiency in Excel for data manipulation and presentation is key. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM requirements listed, but familiarity with project management software (potentially integrated within Workday or other enterprise systems) for tracking project progress and deliverables is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in these specific design and visualization software packages is non-negotiable. The emphasis on Revit and Enscape suggests a need for strong 3D modeling and rendering capabilities. The explicit mention of AI tools indicates a forward-looking requirement to explore and integrate new technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Develop: Continuous professional growth, especially in areas like AI-enabled design and advanced visualization.

• Collaborate: Working effectively with Project Management, Workplace Strategy, and external partners to achieve shared goals.

• Decide: Making prompt, pragmatic design choices that balance client needs, budget, and corporate standards.

• Deliver: Taking ownership of design deliverables and ensuring projects are executed accurately and on time.

• Improve: Contributing to the evolution of design processes, standards, and the adoption of new technologies for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: A strong emphasis on working seamlessly with Project Managers and Workplace Strategists to ensure design aligns with broader project objectives and strategic planning.

• Client-Centric Partnership: Building strong relationships with internal clients to understand their needs and guide them through the design process.

• Vendor & Consultant Management: Effectively communicating with external partners (dealers, architects, contractors) to ensure accurate execution of design intent.

• Open Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication channels to manage expectations, provide updates, and resolve issues promptly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's guiding behaviors (Develop, Collaborate, Decide, Deliver, Improve) are directly applicable to this role. Operations professionals in this environment are expected to be proactive, team-oriented, results-driven, and committed to continuous enhancement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse Needs: Juggling the varied requirements of different internal clients, project scopes, and evolving workplace strategies while maintaining design consistency and corporate standards.

• Adopting New Technologies: Effectively evaluating, integrating, and championing the use of new tools like AI-enabled design software within a corporate environment, which can sometimes be resistant to change.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion, effective communication, and project momentum in a fully remote setting, requiring proactive engagement and excellent virtual collaboration skills.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Managing multiple projects simultaneously with tight deadlines and shifting priorities inherent in corporate real estate development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Technology Specialization: Opportunity to become a leader in the adoption and application of AI and advanced visualization tools within the firm's design processes.

• Portfolio Expansion: Gaining experience across a wide range of project types and scales within the Raymond James corporate real estate portfolio.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Developing a deeper understanding of project management, workplace strategy, and facilities operations through close collaboration.

• Industry Best Practices: Staying abreast of emerging trends in workplace design, corporate real estate, and design technology through industry engagement and internal knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around managing complexity, embracing technological change, and excelling in a remote work environment. Growth is tied to specialized technology adoption and broadening operational experience.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex corporate interior design project you managed from concept to completion. What were the key challenges, how did you address them, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and results.)

• "How do you approach balancing the needs of various stakeholders (e.g., business unit leaders, facilities, IT) when developing a design solution for a corporate space?" (Focus on collaboration and communication.)

• "Tell me about a time you had to implement a new design standard or process. What was your approach, and what were the results?" (Focus on adoption and improvement.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Raymond James's approach to workplace design and corporate real estate?" (Research their values, recent projects, and any public statements on workplace strategy.)

• "How do you see AI tools evolving the role of a Senior Design Manager in corporate real estate?" (Demonstrate forward-thinking and understanding of the job description's emphasis.)

• "Our guiding behaviors are Develop, Collaborate, Decide, Deliver, Improve. Can you provide an example of how you've embodied one or more of these behaviors in a previous role?" (Align your experiences with their core values.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, use a clear narrative: Project Overview (client, scope, location), Challenges, Your Role & Process, Design Solutions (showcase visuals and rationale), Technology Used (highlight AI/software), and Outcomes/Impact.

• Visuals: Use high-quality renderings, floor plans, and photos. Ensure all visuals are clean, professional, and clearly illustrate your design intent and execution.

• AI Focus: If presenting projects where AI was used, dedicate specific slides to demonstrate the tools, their output, and the benefits they brought to the project. Be ready to discuss your learning curve and how you ensured responsible use.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure you can cover your key points efficiently and effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating practical design execution, strong collaboration skills, and a proactive approach to technology adoption. The portfolio is central, so practice articulating your process and outcomes clearly.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Raymond James careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight experience in corporate real estate design, space planning, project management, and proficiency with the specified software (AutoCAD, Revit, Enscape, Adobe Suite). Emphasize any experience with AI-enabled design tools.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, key responsibilities, and quantifiable achievements in managing design projects from conception to completion. Use keywords from the job description, such as "corporate real estate," "interior design," "space planning," "design development," and "AI-enabled design."

• Portfolio Preparation: Assemble a digital portfolio that showcases 3-5 relevant projects. Focus on demonstrating your design process, problem-solving skills, software proficiency, and ability to collaborate with stakeholders. Be prepared to present your portfolio and discuss your work in detail, including any use of AI tools.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Raymond James's company culture, values, and their approach to corporate real estate and workplace design. Understand their commitment to client-first principles and their guiding behaviors.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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