Design Manager, Americas Portfolio , Workplace Design & Construction (WD&C)

The Global Design team is looking for a creative innovative results-oriented Design Manager based in Arlington VA or New York NY who will be responsible for the design of new build and significant/major retrofit tenant improvement projects in the Americas (AMER) portfolio. This role will join the Global Design team reporting to the Senior Manager Global Design and will work closely with the Design & Construction (D&C) team the Workplace Guidelines & Standards team and the Global Transformation & Insights team.

This role will be responsible for overseeing the design of tenant improvement projects both for buildings where Amazon is the tenant for the first time or a major retrofit of an existing Amazon space. The project scope ranges from the design of one to several floors of a building and the Design Manager oversees Amazons design partners and Architects of Record to ensure that the design will reflect our latest Basis of Design (BoD) and better suit the needs and behaviors of our customers. This role will work closely with the AMER D&C team and sub-consultants/vendors on project delivery.

Day-to-day this role will mainly collaborate with the AMER Preconstruction and Construction Managers who are responsible for construction and delivery of the workplace projects in the AMER portfolio as well as the Global Design Team. Once projects are delivered this role will work with the Workplace Guidelines & Standards team to indicate what design elements need to be integrated into the Guidelines & Standards including producing visuals and narratives that can be translated and published as Guidelines.

The successful candidate is an experienced and engaging professional who can communicate clearly at all levels and yet is not afraid to dive deep into details. This role works autonomously and creatively in a fast-paced ambiguous environment and will be working on multiple projects most of which have very tight delivery timelines. Attention to detail and ability to inspect issues and processes bringing simplified solutions to complex problems is paramount. They should also understand the nuance of being approachable while at the same time consultative. The candidate must be able to balance frugality with creativity in offering solutions and approach problem-solving with an emphasis on root cause.

This is a Regional role focused on the Americas so requires regional travel approximately 10-20% of the time.


Key job responsibilities
Oversee and manage the design of tenant improvement projects to include (1) leading the design of the space based on customer needs and technical requirements; (2) collaborating with an external/vendor design team (the Architect of Record); (3) aligning the design of each project to the overall concept for Corporate Workplace as developed by the Global Design team; and (4) informing Guidelines and Standards team on design elements needed to translate into global functional Guidelines.
Identify and implement continuous design refinement leveraging operational data customer insights and success metrics to drive change.
Work cross functionally with regional peers to ensure a consistent experience for customers whilst respecting local/cultural nuance.
Collaborate with GREF partner teams including Regional Portfolio Management Sustainability and Environmental Health and Safety and Travel and Events to elevate program deliverables and improve the quality of Amazon workspace with a focus on resiliency efficiency health and safety.
Routinely connect to external industry professional bodies and communities ensuring new industry standards best practices technology and innovations are adopted into the program.



About the team
The Global Real Estate and Facilities (GREF) team provides real estate transaction expertise business partnering space and occupancy planning capital investment program management facility maintenance and operations in more than 60 countries. GREF is organized into three pillars: Regional Portfolio Management Global Centers of Enablement and Global Centers of Expertise. Workplace Design and Construction sits within the Global Centers of Excellence and includes the disciplines of Global Design Workplace Guidelines Business Development Global Integrated Facilities Management and regional Design and Construction (D&C) delivery.

The Global Design team owns the design of GREF spaces shaping design concepts that align with GREFs strategic vision and the GREF Workplace Design Style Guide while enhancing employee well-being. Ultimately this team defines spaces that best support the way Amazonians work. The teams Concept Designers develop foundational concepts for each space typeheadcount floors Centers of Energy Food and Beverage Meetings and Events and other specialty spacesthat are in line with foundational design principles. The regional Design Managers ensure that GREF design concepts and standards are seamlessly integrated into new projects and renovations.

The Workplace Guidelines team owns the creation implementation and ongoing refinement of Amazons Global Workplace Design Guidelines and Standards ensuring regional teams have comprehensive documentation to support delivering and refreshing spaces that best support how Amazonians work in the office. This team includes global furniture fixture and equipment (FF&E) development and implementation as well as signage and wayfinding guidelines and standards.

The Design & Construction (D&C) delivery team delivers world-class spaces across the broad GREF portfolio including new and refreshed office spaces labs Kuiper production facilities studios and spaces that we dont yet know the businesses need. The team includes regional leaders and Global Construction Operations as well as GREF Information Technology.



- Bachelors degree in Architecture Interior Design Design Engineering or related professional experience.
- Experience defining program requirements and using data and metrics to determine improvements.
- 8 years of design management experience demonstrating progressive responsibility and increased scope in physical building (design/construction) programs.
- Provide portfolio upon application

- Experience in architecture interior design retail development property development planning procurement facilities management and/or construction.
- Proven decision making and problem-solving capabilities with strong follow up skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with exceptional ability to translate ideas and thoughts into written documents.
- Continuous learning mindset and commitment to staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.
- Familiarity with relevant industry codes standards and regulatory requirements.
- Experience working and contributing to building schedules managing issues/risks establishing communication plans and stakeholder management.
- Experience escalating issues and anticipating and making hard trade-offs between business and customer need.
- Able to build constructive and effective relationships and use them to maneuver through complex situations.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status disability or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process including support for the interview or onboarding process please visit for more information. If the country/region youre applying in isnt listed please contact your Recruiting Partner.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $116500/year in our lowest geographic market up to $192600/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge skills and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered equity sign-on payments and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package in addition to a full range of medical financial and/or other benefits. For more information please visit This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.