Senior Designer - Raleigh
Role Profile:
Our US Design team is looking for an Associate Designer to join our Southern Region as we continue our growth through the second half of 2026.
As an Associate in our Design team, you will play a pivotal role in developing our design pitches, leading complex Life Sciences and commercial workplace projects, and growing key client relationships.
You see design as a business driver, working hand-in-hand with our Sales, Strategy, Preconstruction, and Delivery teams to win work and steer projects to successful completion.
Above all, you will help transform highly technical environments and elevate some of the most recognizable spaces across the Life Sciences, workplace, and commercial interiors markets.
Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to):
Design Development & Oversight: Confidently lead high-profile Life Sciences and commercial interior projects from inception through delivery, ensuring technical excellence, innovation, and alignment with client vision.
Client Management & Advocacy: Act as a trusted advisor for clients, managing senior stakeholder relationships, navigating complex operational and technical requirements, and maintaining long-term partnerships.
Business Development & Pitching: Partner closely with Sales and Preconstruction to lead RFP responses, craft winning design narratives, and deliver compelling pitches that secure new business across Life Sciences and commercial sectors.
Team Guidance & Mentorship: Direct and mentor Designers and Senior Designers across both creative and technical drawing sets, finish selection, documentation, and presentation standards, elevating overall design capability.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Champion the Unispace methodology across the entire project lifecycle, collaborating seamlessly with internal teams, external consultants, specialist engineers, and delivery partners.
Technical Coordination: Lead coordination across architecture, interiors, MEP, specialist consultants, and technical stakeholders to ensure complex project requirements are fully integrated into the design.
Studio & Practice Development: Drive design best practices, sustainability standards, processes, and technology adoption within the studio to ensure operational efficiency.
Risk & Quality Management: Proactively identify, manage, and mitigate project design and commercial risks in collaboration with Design Principals and Delivery leadership.
Market Insight: Stay ahead of workplace, Life Sciences, and commercial design trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics, translating insights into innovative client solutions.
What Experience You’ll Need:
Life Sciences Experience: Proven experience delivering Life Sciences, laboratory, pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare research, or similarly technical environments.
Commercial Interiors Expertise: Strong track record of leading complex, end-to-end commercial interior design projects.
Pitch & Win Capability: Demonstrated success delivering high-profile pitches and developing persuasive RFP materials with strong presentation skills.
Strategic & Commercial Acumen: Deep understanding of project financials, local building codes, market trends, and industry standards within the US market.
Technical Mastery: Strong proficiency in design software, including Revit, InDesign, and Photoshop, alongside strong oversight of documentation and technical quality.
Multidisciplinary Coordination: Experience working closely with architects, engineers, MEP consultants, specialist vendors, and construction teams across technically complex projects.
Leadership & Collaboration: Ability to guide project teams, influence executive stakeholders, and foster an inclusive, high-performing studio environment.
Resilience & Agility: Strong ability to navigate ambiguity, prioritize under pressure, and manage multiple complex deadlines simultaneously.
Experience within Life Sciences is essential, but we are also looking for someone with the versatility to work across wider workplace and commercial projects as the Southern Region continues to grow.
What We Offer:
In return, you will receive a very competitive salary and a generous benefits package, including a 401(k), paid time off, and travel opportunities across our global offices.
Unispace Group values its leaders and offers extensive rewards and recognition, executive career development, and a strong focus on well-being.
While we support hybrid and flexible working where possible, this role requires regular collaboration in our studio and travel to client sites and project venues.