Director, Workplace Design, Real Estate

Job Description:

THE ROLE

As a Design Director, you will help shape Fidelity’s workplace vision and design strategy across our global real estate portfolio. You’ll guide programming, space analysis, and design direction while overseeing complex projects ranging from small refreshes to large, multi‑phase renovations.

This is a highly collaborative, influence‑driven role. You will partner with Facilities & Operations, Engineering, Workforce Planning, Technology, Strategy, Finance, and Legal to define and advance cohesive workplace solutions. You’ll advise senior leaders, translate business strategy into design direction, align teams across all project phases, and ensure solutions support business needs and Fidelity’s design ethos.

You will champion design quality, improve space efficiency, and bring forward ideas that enhance the associate experience. Success depends on navigating a matrixed environment, building trusted relationships, and driving clarity and alignment across diverse stakeholders.

This role offers the opportunity to think beyond individual projects and influence how workplace design performs across an enterprise over time. It requires domestic travel (20–40%), including site visits and walkthroughs of active construction areas. Fidelity is not providing immigration sponsorship for this position.

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead end‑to‑end workplace visioning, programming, and design delivery—through construction administration—ensuring spaces align with Fidelity’s design ethos, budget, and business objectives.
• Advise executives and business leaders on workplace strategy, space planning, and renovation approaches; present clear analyses and design recommendations that articulate tradeoffs, risks, and business impact.
• Partner with delivery, construction, facilities, and external design firms to align stakeholders in a matrixed environment, ensuring strong coordination, design quality, and consistent adherence to standards.

The Expertise and Skills You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture or interior design.
• 10+ years of experience in workplace design and strategic space planning.
• Experience leading domestic and international projects, with knowledge of interior design best practices.
• Strong understanding of building systems, operations, and construction processes.
• Familiarity with evolving workplace strategies and relevant technologies.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects, anticipate challenges, and drive solutions that balance experience, efficiency, and budget.
• Experience guiding multidisciplinary teams and managing external design firms.
• Proficiency with design and documentation tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Bluebeam, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present recommendations and design concepts to senior leaders.
• Ability to develop conceptual design approaches, project plans, schedule and budget frameworks, and risk‑mitigation strategies.
• Ability to evaluate space needs, conduct studies, and contribute to workplace guidelines, standards, and planning methodologies.
• Demonstrated success aligning cross‑functional partners and delivering projects in a highly matrixed environment.
• High professionalism, accountability, and discretion, with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels.
• Adaptability and intellectual curiosity in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
• Professional registration or advanced training preferred; LEED or similar credential a plus.

Note: Fidelity is not providing immigration sponsorship for this position

The Team

Our team is responsible for the design of Fidelity’s global real estate portfolio, creating environments that bring Fidelity’s culture to life and empower associates to do their best work, every day.

Certifications:

Category:

Real Estate

Most 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.