Design Manager, EMEA Portfolio, Workplace Design & Construction (WD&C;)
Madrid, Madrid
The Global Design team is looking for a creative, innovative, results‑oriented designer based in Barcelona, Madrid or London who will be responsible for the design of post‑occupancy tenant improvement and small/medium new site or expansion projects in the EMEA portfolio. This role will join the Global Design team, reporting to the EMEA Design Manager, and will work closely with the EMEA Design & Construction (D&C;) team, the Workplace Guidelines & Standards team and the Global Transformation & Insights team.
This role will be responsible for the design of “post‑occupancy” tenant improvement projects, which means updating, revising and evolving the design of a space where Amazonians are currently working, and for small/medium new site projects (new sites) or expansions. The project scope ranges from designing several floors of a building to suit the needs and behaviors of a new team, to designing smaller specialty spaces, to developing an overall design solution that can improve the workplace and be applied to multiple projects (for example, improvements to acoustics, lighting, or furniture).
Over time, this role should gain familiarity with Amazon’s EMEA corporate workplace portfolio to proactively identify and recommend design solutions for certain buildings or spaces. This role will work closely with the EMEA D&C; team and sub‑consultants/vendors on project delivery.
Day‑to‑day, the role will mainly collaborate with the EMEA Design Manager, the D&C; Manager who is responsible for construction and delivery of projects in the EMEA portfolio, and external vendors as local project managers and design teams (Architect of Records). Once projects are delivered, the role will work with the Workplace Guidelines & Standards team to indicate which design elements need to be integrated into the Guidelines & Standards, producing visuals and narratives that can be translated and published as Guidelines.
The successful candidate is an experienced, vibrant, and engaging professional who can communicate clearly at all levels, and who is not afraid to dive deep into details. This role works autonomously and creatively in a fast‑paced, ambiguous environment, handling multiple projects and initiatives with tight delivery timelines. Attention to detail and the ability to inspect issues and processes to provide simplified solutions to complex problems are paramount. The candidate must balance frugality with creativity, approach problem‑solving with an emphasis on root cause, and remain approachable while being consultative.
This is a Regional role focused on the EMEA region, requiring regional travel approximately 20‑30% of the time.
Key Job Responsibilities
- Oversee and manage the design of post‑occupancy tenant improvement projects and small/medium new site projects & expansions, including leading the design based on customer needs and technical requirements, collaborating with an external/vendor design team (Architect of Record) on projects of certain size/scale/priority, aligning each project with the overall concept for Corporate Workplace as developed by the Integral Design team, and informing the Guidelines and Standards team on design elements required for global functional Guidelines.
- Identify and implement continuous design refinement, leveraging operational data, customer insights, and success metrics to drive change.
- Work cross‑functionally with regional peers to ensure a consistent experience for customers while respecting local/cultural nuance.
- Collaborate with GREF partner teams—including Regional Portfolio Management, Sustainability and Environmental Health & Safety, and Travel and Events—to elevate program deliverables and improve the quality of Amazon workspace with a focus on resiliency, efficiency, health, and safety.
- Routinely connect with external industry, professional bodies and communities to ensure new industry standards, best practices, technology, and innovations are adopted into the program.
About the Team
The Global Real Estate and Facilities (GREF) team provides real estate transaction expertise, business partnering, space and occupancy planning, capital investment program management, facility maintenance, and operations in more than 60 countries. GREF is organized into three pillars: Regional Portfolio Management, Global Enablement Centers, and Global Centers of Expertise. Workplace Design and Construction sits within the Global Centers of Expertise and includes the disciplines of Global Design, Workplace Design Guidelines, Business Development, Global Integrated Facilities Management, and regional Design and Construction delivery.
The Global Design team owns the design of GREF spaces, shaping design concepts that align with GREF’s strategic vision and the GREF Workplace Design Style Guide, while enhancing employee well‑being. The team’s Concept Designers develop foundational concepts for each space type—headcount floors, Centers of Energy, Food and Beverage, Meetings and Events, and other specialty spaces—that are in line with foundational design principles. The regional Design Managers ensure that GREF design concepts and standards are seamlessly integrated into new projects and renovations.
The Global Design Guidelines team owns the creation, implementation, and ongoing refinement of Amazon’s Global Workplace Design Guidelines and Standards, ensuring regional teams have comprehensive documentation to support delivering and refreshing spaces that best support how Amazonians work in the office. This team includes global furniture, fixture and equipment (FF&E;) development and implementation, as well as signage and wayfinding guidelines and standards.
The Design & Construction (D&C;) delivery team delivers world‑class spaces across the broad GREF portfolio, including new and refreshed office spaces, labs, Kuiper production facilities, studios, and spaces that we don’t yet know the businesses need. The team includes regional leaders and Global Construction Operations, as well as GREF Information Technology.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering or related professional experience.
- Experience defining program requirements and using data and metrics to determine improvements.
- 3+ years of design program management experience demonstrating progressive responsibility and increased scope in physical building (design/construction) programs.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in architecture, property development, planning, procurement, facilities management, and/or construction.
- Proven decision making and problem‑solving capabilities with strong follow‑up skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with exceptional ability to translate ideas and thoughts into written documents.
- Continuous learning mindset and commitment to staying up‑to‑date with industry trends and best practices.
- Familiarity with relevant industry codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Experience working and contributing to building schedules, managing issues/risks, establishing communication plans and stakeholder management.
- Experience escalating issues and anticipating and making hard trade‑offs between business and customer need.
- Able to build constructive and effective relationships and use them to maneuver through complex situations.
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