Workplace Design Lead
In Places, we don’t sit back and let things happen, we make things happen, and we do this in service to all Apple employees and customers. Our team is a diverse and nimble group that manages Apple’s workplaces and workplace services. We develop and manage Apple’s global real estate portfolio, lead all related capital construction projects, provide outstanding facilities and site services, develop and lead sustainability initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of all Apple facilities, including renewable energy and commute programs, and do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of all Apple team members, facilities, and customers in our spaces around the world.
The Workplace Design Lead is responsible for leading a team of design managers tasked with seamlessly delivering best-in-class workplaces that inspire and enable all Apple team members to do their life’s best work. You will play an integral role in establishing aesthetic consistency where appropriate, assist in the creation of a new aesthetic language where needed, and continually develop a vision for how Apple can integrate new technologies and ideas to evolve its brand.
Along with their peer groups across Places, the Workplace Design Lead is responsible for managing the team of architects and design professionals who partner with our development and construction teams to apply aesthetic rigor and instill the values that are synonymous with Apple culture, products, and services to our workplaces, bridging the work of Places with the work of many other teams within Apple, including Industrial Design, HID, Product Design, Apple TV+, Apple Music, Live Events, Corporate Events, and Marketing + Communication.
Some key responsibilities include:
- Collaborate with all Apple divisions to develop, communicate, and deliver designs that embody Apple’s brand, core ideals and values, and guide the greater Places team and vendors for implementation
- Continually push the designs of Apple’s spaces + interiors, manage furniture, graphics and accessories
- Evolve our design language, driving design innovation and setting a plan for the future of Workplace Design. Integrate innovative architectural elements and features to enhance the overall design, performance, and functionality of facilities
- Direct and control the activities of a broad functional area across our global team, has overall control of planning, staffing, budget, expenses priorities, and recommending and implementing changes to methods for their department
- As part of the Workplace Design Senior Management team, promote collaboration and communication - effectively develop and present design ideas regularly to Apple leadership
- Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in architectural design and interiors to drive continuous improvement and innovation spearhead innovation initiatives within our organization
- Directly coordinate the design of all major projects, and lead and mentor a team of exceptional design managers who will oversee the design of all other Apple workplaces
- Create and cultivate succession plans, training the next generation of Design Leaders on the Workplace Design Team
- 10+ years of design experience and managing design teams
- Experience creating and developing overall design concepts and formulating design
- Demonstrated track record developing leaders, building employee engagement, and managing performance
- BA/BS degree in Design, Architecture, Organizational Design, or related field, or equivalent practical experience (advanced degree in Architecture or Design preferred with a rigorous design education)
- International design experience a plus
- Strong leadership, communication, and relationship management and mentoring skills, in particular with global teams, across time zones, and date lines
- Ability to develop and articulate a strong vision that aligns and inspires your own team and other teams of professionals
- Be a self-starter, self-motivated, and able to work and lead independently, and perform multiple tasks under minimal direction
- Think and implement quickly, laterally, independently or collaboratively
- Demonstrate strong user experience sensibilities with a very high level of curiosity; keeping up with the evolving landscape of available tools, technologies and resources
- Stay positive and navigate conflict, high pressure situations, and ambiguity with confidence and a calm, Apple-first, resolution-focused approach
- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
- Strong, persuasive communicator with excellent verbal presentation skills and the ability to communicate sophisticated design concepts
- Ability to use 2D/3D software, including AutoCAD, 3D Studio MAX, Adobe suite, and multiple rendering packages to communicate concepts
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.