Senior Project Designer (Chicago)

The Senior Project Designer is a design leader responsible for driving the creative vision and successful execution of hospitality interior design projects from concept through completion. Working in partnership with project and studio leadership, this role leads the design process, guides project teams, and ensures design intent is carried consistently through all phases of work.

The Senior Project Designer brings a strong point of view, deep hospitality design experience, and the ability to translate client goals, brand standards, operational needs, and project parameters into thoughtful, compelling design solutions.

This role requires someone who can move comfortably between big-picture creative thinking and the details required to bring a project to life. The Senior Project Designer takes ownership, anticipates project needs, communicates proactively, mentors developing designers, and serves as a trusted design partner to clients, consultants, vendors, and internal teams.

Role Responsibilities

Design Leadership

• Lead the overall design vision of assigned projects from concept through construction administration.
• Develop thoughtful, hospitality-driven design solutions that respond to the client, brand, guest experience, operational requirements, budget, and project goals.
• Lead programming, conceptual design, space planning, material and finish development, FF&E selection, and design documentation.
• Translate conceptual ideas into clear, cohesive, and executable design solutions while maintaining design integrity throughout all project phases.
• Provide clear design direction to project teams and review work for quality, accuracy, and alignment with project intent.
• Lead and participate in internal design reviews and critiques.

Project & Team Leadership

• Lead design teams in partnership with Project Managers, Project Architects, and departmental leadership.
• Establish priorities, delegate work appropriately, and keep teams focused on key deliverables and deadlines.
• Proactively identify design, schedule, coordination, and resource concerns and work with project leadership to resolve them.
• Understand project scope, fees, schedules, budgets, and allocated hours, and manage responsibilities within those parameters.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level designers through feedback, coaching, and hands-on design guidance.
• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages strong ideas, accountability, curiosity, and continuous learning.

Client & Brand Partnership

• Build strong client relationships and serve as a confident representative of Gettys throughout the project.
• Lead and participate in client presentations, workshops, design reviews, and working sessions, clearly communicating design concepts and rationale.
• Understand hotel brand standards, approval processes, and submittal requirements while identifying opportunities to create distinctive, property-specific guest experiences.
• Support project leadership in navigating client conversations, design decisions, and competing project priorities.

Documentation & Project Execution

• Oversee and contribute to schematic design, design development, construction documentation, specifications, presentations, and other project deliverables.
• Apply a strong understanding of construction methods, materials, finishes, FF&E, detailing, accessibility, code requirements, and hospitality-specific design considerations.
• Coordinate effectively with architects, consultants, contractors, purchasing teams, vendors, manufacturers, and other project partners.
• Review shop drawings, submittals, samples, RFIs, and other construction administration materials as appropriate.
• Participate in site visits, field observations, installations, and construction administration activities.
• Lead quality control efforts and ensure deliverables meet Gettys standards.
• Contribute to the continued development of departmental standards, tools, and best practices.

Role Requirements

• 8+ years of professional interior design experience with strong hospitality experience, ideally including hotels, resorts, restaurants, or other guest-focused environments.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture, or a related field.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creative thinking, design development, and successfully executed work.
• Demonstrated experience leading design projects and teams through multiple phases, from early concept through construction.
• Strong understanding of space planning, materials, finishes, FF&E, detailing, construction, documentation, specifications, quality control, and construction administration.
• Experience working directly with clients and presenting design concepts and recommendations confidently.
• Experience mentoring and developing designers while remaining actively engaged in the design work.
• Strong organizational, communication, and project leadership skills with the ability to anticipate challenges, manage priorities, and take ownership.
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, and visualization/rendering platforms such as Enscape.
• Curiosity and adaptability around emerging technology, digital tools, and evolving design workflows.
• NCIDQ certification preferred but not required.