Design Principal - Paris

We continue to revolutionize the creation of workplace to meet the needs of today’s ever-changing global brands. Our agile, end-to-end experience, delivered seamlessly across borders, is powered by strong client partnerships and enabled by sound workplace intelligence and transformational technology.

We believe that everyone should work in an environment that inspires productivity, peak performance and delivers wellbeing. Across our 48 global studios we see that positive work environments foster open, collaborative and supportive cultures populated by highly independent, motivated people. While our core business is strategising, designing and building workplaces for some of the biggest brands in the world, we know our people are our #1 asset. We look after them with an extensive Employee Value Proposition program which includes rewards and recognition, career development and a focus on wellbeing.

Role Profile:

As Principal, Design, you will be helping develop and deliver the Design strategy for the region to maintain and increase Unispace’s client pool and portfolio. You will be a strategic leader, optimizing the work of your team and elevating Unispace’s brand.

Your primary responsibilities will involve overseeing design activities in France and driving for new target clients.

Responsibilities not limited to:

• Develop and deploy the Design strategy, leading design innovation for the Paris Studio.
• Collaborate with the EMEA Design Lead to create annual business and workforce plans for France.
• Develop and manage key client relationships to build the Unispace brand in IUK and Ireland, driving increased opportunities with target clients.
• Maintain a high-level overview of all Studio design projects.
• Provide financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting information.
• Lead the Design team, in collaboration with management and the Delivery team, to meet financial project targets.
• Run key bid/pitch presentations on Design and the Unispace methodology to win new business and expand the portfolio in France.
• Ensure the culture, values, and behaviors of people in the Studio align with the organization and methodology delivery.
• Drive design best practices, initiatives, processes, and technology to improve design consistency in collaboration with the EMEA Leads.
• Collaborate with Studio management to develop and implement risk management plans, ensuring appropriate action is taken for legal, reputational, and financial risks.
• Foster a culture of Corporate Social Responsibility and act as an Ambassador of Unispace’s values.
• Provide an overview of each studio project and its current status to management when needed.
• Ensure project bids are accurate; meeting client needs with realistic and achievable costs and timelines.
• Achieve Studio budget, project profitability, and client satisfaction targets, ensuring commercial returns.
• Secure additional opportunities through industry recognition and/or receiving industry awards for design innovation.
• Implement adequate resourcing, training, and engagement plans to meet Studio needs.
• Effectively manage the performance of the Design team, driving out-performance and addressing under-performance.
• Apply consistent standards, technology solutions, and processes across the Studio.
• Implement Studio risk management plans with evidence of appropriate action taken.
• Implement Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in line with global and regional vision.

About you:

• Tertiary qualification or equivalent, in design-related discipline
• High level technical knowledge
• Understanding of project financials, CRE and approvals
• Success leading high-performance teams
• Experience working on a range of large projects
• Client-oriented with an ability to develop strategic relationships
• Strong pitching/presentation and communications skills, including with high profile clients
• Innovative and conceptual thinking to influence others and drive for results
• Ability to develop a team and build organizational talent
• Business acumen and organizational agility
• Change leadership skills

What We Offer

In return, you will receive a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, including a pension, paid holiday leave, and travel opportunities across our global offices. Unispace values its employees and offers extensive rewards and recognition, career development, and a focus on well-being.

The statements on the job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person(s) assigned to do this job.  The job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed on the job description) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.

Unispace is committed to inclusion and diversity in all aspects of our business. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and will evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition as defined by state law (genetic characteristics or cancer), physical or mental disability, military service or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. We enable our teams to provide diverse, fresh perspectives and to be courageous in challenging conventions of the way we work, collaborate, and learn.