Sr. Manager, Workplace Design

The GREF Create Group is looking for an experienced design manager to lead workplace innovation and provide design guidance to all in-flight projects in the Americas region. This leader is a subject matter expert in workplace design, who proactively solves present workplace needs and innovates to address the way people will work in the future. The role is accountable for communicating and leading workplace design in the Americas, aligning Amazon stakeholders and 250+ vendors towards decisions that optimize occupant satisfaction & productivity with efficiency metrics and project constraints to deliver the right long-term solutions.

The optimal candidate is an experienced, vibrant, and engaging professional who will excel within an entrepreneurial culture – providing vision, leadership, and communication – not afraid to dive deep into details. They should also understand the nuance of being approachable, while at the same time consultative, providing direction/recommendations and fostering transparent relationships. The candidate must be able to balance frugality with creativity in offering solutions and approach problem-solving with an emphasis on root cause.


Key job responsibilities

• Synthesize customer insights (needs), industry trends, and internal & external research findings, into objectives for how Amazon corporate workplace should evolve.
• Assume full responsibility for design of prototype and pilot projects, working closely with the Workplace Development Research SME’s to align design with intended research outcomes; and work closely with the assigned GREF Construction Manager to optimize budget and schedule with intended design and research outcomes.
• Facilitate cross-discipline workshops & forums related to design, aimed at innovating, prototyping, and beta testing new workplace concepts, rooms, space types, and functionality.
• Develop a cadence of communications with the AMER Design & Construction Managers to provide insights into innovative designs and alignment with GREF Workplace Guidelines.
• Develop design look & feel guidelines for use in AMER and collaborate with peers for similar guidelines in other regions.
• Collaborating with the Workplace Guidelines SME’s to standardize new workplace products.
• Drive excellence in design through gathering input, feedback and inspiration, as well as partner collaboration and stakeholder alignment.
• Consult to design & construction teams for best customer experience outcomes which are directly affected by space design concept, architectural elements, lighting, color & material selection, furniture specifications, and Art/EGD (Environmental Graphic Design). Designs must create an environment that attract Amazonians to the office, improve satisfaction, and perceptions of productivity.
• Provide design critique aligned with workplace development, customer preferences, guidelines and human behavior at milestone design reviews for in-flight projects.

Basic Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years professional experience required - a significant portion of which should demonstrate success leading design teams in the delivery of commercial office projects.
• Proven track record of delivering innovative workplace projects.
• 5 years of senior management responsibilities
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a design related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Exceptional communication skills; ability to lead cross-functional teams through influence, advice, and modeled behavior versus micromanagement; excellent interpersonal skills; calm under pressure, able to de-escalate and effectively manage escalations at all levels of the company.
• A track record of championing speed, flexibility and frugality in the face of rapid change and heavy workload.
• Highly competent with personal computers and productivity software, including the Microsoft Office Suite and the Adobe Design Suite.
• Solid understanding of sourcing/procurement, project budgeting, vendor management and customer service.
• Comfortable with legal terms and structures for standard commercial contracts.
• Master’s Degree
• Ability to identify and solve ambiguous problems.
• Self-starter who sets clearly defined goals and consistently gets results.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and successfully execute tactics.
• Effective resource management and project management skills.

Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation,