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Design Manager

Jones Lang LaSalle · Chicago, IL · Full time

Posted Aug 31, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Walk me through a luxury hospitality project you worked on and the design details you fought to protect.

What they are checking: Depth in high-end hospitality design and the conviction to defend design integrity.

Tell me about a time a design schedule slipped. What did you do?

What they are checking: Practical project execution and working with project managers to recover time.

How do you keep many stakeholders aligned on design decisions?

What they are checking: Communication and documentation habits that prevent rework on complex projects.

How do you balance creativity with the practical needs of operating a hotel?

What they are checking: Whether they design for maintenance, cleaning and staff, not just appearance.

What would you do

The furniture budget comes in 20 percent over. How do you bring it back without hurting the guest experience?

What they are checking: Ability to value engineer smartly while keeping the design intent and brand standards.

How do you work with a hotel brand's design standards when they conflict with the architect's vision?

What they are checking: Skill at negotiating among brand, owner and architect toward a solution everyone accepts.

A long-lead item will arrive after the hotel opening date. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Problem solving with alternates, phasing or temporary solutions while keeping the client informed.

About the work

How do you review FF&E specifications to catch problems before ordering?

What they are checking: Attention to detail on durability, lead times, fire codes and fit for hospitality use.

What makes a guest room or lobby feel high-end beyond expensive materials?

What they are checking: Design judgment about lighting, layout, flow and detail that shapes the guest experience.

What design tools and documentation do you rely on to manage a project?

What they are checking: Practical skills with drawings, specs, schedules and tracking that support project control.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Jones Lang LaSalle.

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way . Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. In this role as Design Manager within Retail Design & Construction, you'll leverage your extensive retail banking and hospitality-focused financial services design expertise to work closely with various stakeholders and contribute to design concept development. You will stay abreast of emerging design trends, integrating sustainable practices into projects, and offering guidance to project managers. The position demands a professional Architecture or Interior Design degree, comprehensive knowledge of branded retail and hospitality settings, and mastery of Microsoft Office and AutoCAD. Your strong communication abilities and leadership qualities will be essential for excelling in this position. Job responsibilities: • Maintain design guidelines, coordinate content with internal and external stakeholders and oversee implementation into projects • Support the development of design concepts, block plans, and test-fits based on program requirements • Review and comment on design documents at various stages of project development • Provide design support and guidance to project managers, and external design teams, to address and communicate design related issues • Collaborate with various consultants and product vendors to develop design solutions that meet overall project objectives • Prepare presentation materials and assist with presenting design topics to executive leadership • Keep up to date with emerging trends and insights with regards to design best practices • Incorporate sustainability strategy and green building best practices into design and construction projects • Support the development of dashboard reporting, executive summaries, and monitor progress against plan • Support all functions and responsibilities of the global design department Required qualifications, capabilities, and skills : • Professional degree in Architecture or Interior Design along with a successful track record of managing all phases of retail and hospitality interiors projects and leading multiple complex projects at the same time • 7+ years of direct experience in commercial architecture and interior design, including programming, space planning, construction documents, detailing, material selections, and furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E) • Experience with the entire project lifecycle, from programming through post occupancy • Knowledge of building codes, standards and building structures • Strong understanding of branded retail and hospitality environments, financial service operations, and associated design components • Familiarity of MEP and structural building systems • Registration or certification with a relevant professional association is an asset • Applied knowledge of and skills in utilizing AutoCAD software. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Project) • Excellent oral and written presentation skills • Strong leadership, organization, communication and relationship management skills Preferred qualifications, capabilities, and skills: • 3+ years of global financial services and/or hospitality-focused retail design experience preferred • Additional knowledge of Revit, Sketch-up, and InDesign is preferred This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Estimated compensation for this position: 107,000.00 – 140,000.00 USD per year This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations. Location: On-site –Chicago, IL If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table! Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth: JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include: • 401(k) plan with matching company contributions • Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care • Paid parental leave at 100% of salary • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays • Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing. JLL Privacy Notice Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely. For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement . For additional details please see our career site pages for each country. For candidates in the United States, please see a full copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity policy here . Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at HRSCLeaves@jll.com . This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL. Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment. Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest. Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate. California Residents only If you are a California resident as defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) please view our Supplemental Privacy Statement which describes your rights and disclosures about your personal information. If you are viewing this on a mobile device you may want to view the CCPA version on a larger device. Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.

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