Workplace Design Manager

Ripple Ripple · Fintech · New York, NY +1 · Global Workplace

This role is for a Workplace Design Manager responsible for developing and evolving global interior design standards, managing design projects from concept to delivery, and championing brand experience within Ripple's physical spaces. The role involves setting design standards, creating design documentation, overseeing space planning, FF&E programs, and environmental graphics, and mentoring junior designers. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience in commercial interior design, with a strong sense of cost consciousness and proficiency in design tools.

What you'd actually do

  1. Develop, own, and continuously evolve Ripple’s global interior design standards, ensuring consistency across all locations and project types.
  2. Create and maintain a robust library of design documentation — finish specifications, material palettes, FF&E standards, and brand-aligned guidelines.
  3. Establish and enforce design governance gates throughout project lifecycles.
  4. Develop and review space plans for new locations, expansions, relocations, and moves, adds and changes (MAC) across the portfolio.
  5. Translate programming requirements and headcount data into functional spatial solutions.

Skills

Required

  • Over 10 years of experience in commercial interior design
  • At least 3 years in a senior or lead role
  • Deep expertise in space planning, FF&E specification, and design documentation across a multi-site portfolio
  • Demonstrated ability to manage and influence external architecture and design firms
  • A strong sense of cost consciousness
  • Proficiency in design tools (AutoCAD, Revit, or equivalent)
  • Strong visual communication skills for collaborator presentations
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills
  • A portfolio that demonstrates a strong, consistent point of view across varied project types and scales

Nice to have

  • Experience in an in-house corporate real estate or workplace function is preferred
  • Tech experience is a plus
  • Experience with international projects and an understanding of regional compliance, culture, and construction norms across major markets
  • Experience building or formalizing a design standards program
  • Familiarity with WELL, LEED, or BREEAM standards
  • NCIDQ certification or architecture licensure

What the JD emphasized

  • global interior design standards
  • design documentation
  • design governance gates
  • space plans
  • project management
  • external architect and design partners
  • design review and approval processes
  • FF&E program
  • environmental graphic design
  • brand experience
  • employee experience
  • research
  • benchmarking
  • creative thinking
  • Mentor and develop junior members
  • technical skills
  • compositional sensibility
  • professional judgment
  • creative curiosity
  • continuous improvement
  • design function
  • commercial interior design
  • senior or lead role
  • in-house corporate real estate or workplace function
  • Tech experience is a plus
  • space planning
  • FF&E specification
  • design documentation
  • multi-site portfolio
  • manage and influence external architecture and design firms
  • strong sense of cost consciousness
  • pricing of materials, finishes, and FF&E
  • smart, creative decision-making
  • design quality
  • Proficiency in design tools
  • visual communication skills
  • collaborator presentations
  • cross-functional collaboration skills
  • project managers
  • facilities teams
  • vendor partners
  • executive collaborators
  • portfolio
  • strong, consistent point of view
  • varied project types and scales
  • international projects
  • regional compliance
  • culture
  • construction norms
  • major markets
  • building or formalizing a design standards program
  • WELL, LEED, or BREEAM standards
  • NCIDQ certification or architecture licensure