Manager — Interior Planning and Design Standards

Primary Function/General Purpose

The Manager of Interior Planning & Design Standards serves as a strategic bridge between facility planning/programming and interior design execution. This role leads the development and application of system-wide interior environments by integrating planning principles, operational workflows, and design standards into scalable, cost-effective solutions. This role ensures interior design decisions support project programming, capital planning, cost alignment, and long-term operational performance, while elevating user experience and brand consistency. The position provides leadership to interior design resources and partners, including direct supervision of interior design staff.

Essential Job Functions

• Interior Planning Integration & Programming Support
• Partner with Planning & Preconstruction to integrate interior design into facility programming and space planning efforts
• Translate clinical, operational, and workflow requirements into interior planning strategies and design criteria
• Support early project phases including: Functional programming; Space standards development; & Planning narratives and room typologies
• Ensure interior design concepts align with project scope, budget, and phasing strategies

• System-Wide Interior Standards Leadership
• Lead development, governance, and continuous improvement of interior finish and environment standards
• Align standards with: System branding; Clinical and operational requirements; & Lifecycle durability and maintenance considerations
• Expand standards beyond finishes to include: Room-level design applications; Planning-driven typologies (e.g., exam rooms, patient rooms, support spaces); & Developing space planning programming standards or templates
• Serve as SME for material performance, application, and standardization

• Design Oversight & Consultant Coordination
• Guide external architects and interior designers to ensure alignment with planning intent and system standards
• Provide guidance and oversight to project teams rather than direct project leadership
• Review design deliverables across phases for: Programming alignment; Standards compliance; & Cost and constructability
• Provide direction where standards require project-specific adaptation or innovation
• Act as a key participant in design charrettes/kick-off and milestone reviews

• Furniture, Artwork & Signage (FAS) Leadership
• Provide strategic oversight (not just execution) of: Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E); Artwork programs; & Signage and wayfinding systems
• Ensure FAS decisions are: Integrated with programming & space functionality, and consistent with brand & user experience goals
• Guide development of prototypes and repeatable solutions for system-wide deployment

• Cost Planning & Preconstruction Alignment
• Collaborate with cost and planning teams to: Develop conceptual budgets for interiors and FAS, and validate alignment with system cost benchmarks
• Identify opportunities for: Standardization; Value optimization; & Bulk purchasing strategies
• Contribute to preconstruction decision-making and estimating inputs, consistent with department cost governance practices
• Develop and manage budgets related to interior finishes (as applicable) and FAS packages

• Procurement Strategy & Vendor Management
• Oversee procurement approach for interiors and FAS: Define bid packages & scopes, and support vendor selection & evaluation
• Coordinate with system purchasing strategies and group purchasing organizations
• Ensure procurement aligns with project schedules, budgets, and standardization goals

• Leadership & Team Development
• Directly supervise interior design staff
• Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and workload prioritization
• Establish workflows that integrate design staff with: Planning teams; Project management; & External consultants
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing

• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Serve as primary liaison for interior environments across: Planning and Preconstruction; Design and Construction project teams; Clinical and operational stakeholders; & Brand, compliance, and facilities teams
• Serve as a key participant in decisions that balance: User experience; Operational efficiency; & Cost and constructability

Licensing/Certification

• Professional Licensure Or Certification (Registered Architect, NCIDQ) (Preferred)

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, interior design or related field (Required)

Work Experience

• 8–12+ years of combined experience in: Architectural planning/programming (strongly preferred) or Interior design within healthcare or complex commercial environments (Preferred)
• Demonstrated experience integrating planning, design standards, and project delivery (Preferred)
• Experience working within or alongside design & construction / preconstruction teams (Preferred)
• Experience in overseeing design consultants and mentoring staff (Preferred)

Desired Skills

• Hard/Tech Skills: Strong expertise in facility planning, programming, and space typologies
• Deep understanding of interior materials, finishes, and FF&E systems
• Ability to connect design decisions to cost, operations, and lifecycle performance
• Strong financial and cost-awareness mindset
• Proficiency in interpreting drawings, specifications, and planning documents
• Proficiency in design and documentation tools (AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Adobe, MS Office)

• Soft/Interpersonal Skills: Attention to detail
• Communication across technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Acceptance of authority
• Critical thinking
• Collaboration/Teamwork
• Conflict resolution
• Active listening
• Relationship building