Job Description:
THE ROLE
As a Design Director at Fidelity, you’ll play a key leadership role shaping workplaces that inspire our associates and support the future of work. You’ll bring deep expertise in programming, space analysis, design, and the construction process, and you’ll use that knowledge to guide complex, high-impact projects across our global portfolio.
This role is highly collaborative and influence driven. You will manage and guide the efforts of external designers and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams throughout all phases of design and delivery. Your work will directly influence how thousands of associates experience their workday.
You’ll partner with groups like Facilities and Operations, Engineering, Amenities, Leasing and Transactions, Workforce Planning, Technology, Procurement, Strategy, Associate Experience, Security, Finance/Accounting, and Legal, and you’ll present to senior business leaders at both regional and global levels. Project scope and complexity vary widely from small-scale refreshes and reconfigurations to full, multi-phase renovations, so a flexible mindset and the ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances are critical to success.
You will be a champion of design quality, ensuring adherence to Fidelity’s design ethos, identifying opportunities to improve programming and space efficiency, and bringing new ideas that elevate the associate experience. Your success will come from building strong relationships, navigating a matrixed environment, and influencing teams toward shared outcomes.
If you thrive in a collaborative, idea-driven environment and want to make a meaningful impact on the modern workplace, we’d love to connect with you.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Drive the workspace visioning and design process, from programming through construction administration, for Fidelity’s domestic and occasional international sites.
Partner with business unit leaders to shape vision, programming, and design solutions that align with Fidelity’s design ethos while effectively addressing the strategic and operational needs of the business.
Provide expert advisory support to senior business leaders on workplace strategy, design direction, renovation approaches, and space allocations to ensure optimal experience, efficiency, and alignment with business goals.
Prepare executive‑level presentations and reports that convey background, analysis, recommendations, and business impacts for internal and external audiences.
Build a strong understanding of Fidelity’s business units to anticipate evolving workplace needs and inform strategic space planning and design recommendations.
Develop and present design concepts, space strategies, and change‑management recommendations to senior leadership throughout the project lifecycle, clearly articulating scenarios, impacts, risks, and benefits.
Evaluate space and design needs and contribute to the evolution of Fidelity’s workplace design guidelines, utilization metrics, space‑planning policies, and best practices.
Conduct space studies and analyses and oversee implementation of workplace initiatives.
Drive strategic space and design decisions that deliver the highest-performing space that aligns with Fidelity’s design ethos and budget constraints. Identify and champion adjustments when misalignments occur.
Partner with Delivery and Construction teams to influence the end-to-end project lifecycle, aligning teams around shared objectives and driving proactive coordination that strengthens execution and ensures a more efficient construction administration phase.
Develop strong, collaborative relationships with cross‑functional partners—including Facilities & Operations, Engineering, Workforce Planning, Strategy, Finance, Legal, Enterprise Technology, Associate Labs, and external design teams—serving as a trusted subject matter expert for design and workplace strategy.
Ensure adherence to Fidelity’s design standards and industry’s best practices across all phases of planning, design, and delivery, proactively addressing gaps and promoting continuous improvement.
Lead collaboration with external design firms to develop, refine, and present design concepts and options for executive approval, ensuring effective consultant management
Model effective communication, decision‑making, and leadership behaviors while guiding multidisciplinary internal and external teams in a highly matrixed environment.
PROBLEM SOLVING:
The Design Director is entrusted with leading decision-making across these responsibilities, working collaboratively with partners to ensure alignment and strong outcomes. The position reports to the VP of Design, who will provide guidance on decisions and priorities.
The Design Director is expected to work collaboratively with his/her team to understand all relevant issues to inform decisions. The Design Director is a leader that will proactively find solutions to drive projects forward to success. This position must closely monitor the design on all their projects and ensure that best practices, the associate experience, and Fidelity’s design ethos needs are met.
The Expertise and Skills You Bring
Bachelor’s degree in architecture or interior design.
10+ years of experience in corporate real estate, architecture/design, and strategic space planning.
Background in both domestic and international projects, with knowledge of varying global space needs and adherence to architectural best practices and local codes.
Deep knowledge of building systems, construction processes, and architectural design, with a primary focus on interiors and a background in exterior design elements.
Familiarity with evolving workplace strategies and relevant technologies.
Proven ability to manage complex projects, anticipate issues, and resolve design or delivery challenges.
Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams, including architects, engineers, and consultants.
Proficiency with design and documentation software (AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Bluebeam, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.).
Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to align diverse teams. • Skilled in budget, schedule, and scope management.
Professional registration and/or advanced training preferred, LEED or similar sustainability credentials a plus.
Demonstrated track record delivering successful, complex workplace projects Skills/Knowledge:
Deep knowledge of workplace design, engineering, construction practices, and industry standards, including landlord work letters, tenant allowances, AIA contract documents, LEED/ISO frameworks, and building codes.
Proficiency with design and project‑delivery tools, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), CAD, Revit, Bluebeam, InDesign, and Illustrator.
Strong understanding of building systems, operations, and technology infrastructure, with the ability to apply this knowledge to design and space‑planning decisions.
Ability to develop and deliver conceptual design approaches and project plans, including schedule and budget management, risk mitigation, assumption validation, and quality oversight.
Demonstrated ability to analyze industry metrics (e.g., cost per square foot benchmarks, furniture and design costs) and incorporate insights into planning and recommendations.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate recommendations, tradeoffs, and impacts to senior business leaders and cross‑functional stakeholders.
Ability to prioritize effectively in a fast‑paced, ambiguous environment, balancing strategic thinking with attention to detail and timely execution.
Strong decision‑making and analytical skills, including the ability to solicit input, evaluate tradeoffs, and present well‑reasoned options.
High level of professionalism, interpersonal awareness, and service orientation, demonstrating tact, diplomacy, and the ability to build trusted relationships across all organizational levels.
Ability to work collaboratively across internal and external teams, fostering productive partnerships and navigating a matrixed environment.
Demonstrated integrity, confidentiality, and personal accountability, consistently modeling Fidelity’s values.
Adaptability and intellectual curiosity, with the ability to absorb new information quickly and respond flexibly to changing priorities and business needs.
Note: Fidelity is not providing immigration sponsorship for this position
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This role requires domestic travel approximately 20-40% of the time. This role requires site reviews and inspections at Fidelity owned and leased facilities including walking through active construction zones and observing safety precautions.
Certifications:
Category:
Real EstateMost roles at Fidelity are Hybrid, requiring associates to work onsite every other week (all business days, M-F) in a Fidelity office. This does not apply to Remote or fully Onsite roles. Some roles may have unique onsite requirements. Please consult with your recruiter for the specific expectations for this position.
Please be advised that Fidelity’s business is governed by the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940, ERISA, numerous state laws governing securities, investment and retirement-related financial activities and the rules and regulations of numerous self-regulatory organizations, including FINRA, among others. Those laws and regulations may restrict Fidelity from hiring and/or associating with individuals with certain Criminal Histories.