Design Manager, EMEA Portfolio, Design, Sustainability & Engineering
Amazon · London, England, GBR ·
- Work mode
- Onsite
- Category
- Design
The Global Design team is looking for a creative, innovative, results-oriented designer who will be responsible for the design of select new buildings or expansion projects post-occupancy tenant improvement in Europe, Middle East and Africa (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) teams, the Workplace Guidelines & Standards team and the Global Transformation & Insights team.
This role will be responsible for the oversight of 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 small/medium new site projects (new sites) or expansions. The project scope ranges from the design of several floors of a building to suit the needs and behaviors of a new team, to the design of smaller specialty spaces, to developing an overall design solution that can improve the workplace that can be applied to multiple projects (for example, an improvement to acoustics, lighting, or furniture). Over time, this role should gain familiarity with Amazon’s EMEA corporate workplace portfolio in order to pro-actively 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.
The successful candidate is an experienced, and engaging professional who can communicate clearly at all levels, and yet is not afraid to dive deep into details. This role works autonomously and creatively in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment, and will be working on multiple projects and initiatives, most of which have very tight delivery timelines. Attention to detail and ability to inspect issues and processes brings simplified solutions to complex problems is paramount. They should also understand the nuance of being approachable, while at the same time consultative. The candidate must be able to balance frugality with creativity in offering solutions and approach problem-solving with an emphasis on root cause.
This is a Regional role focused on the EMEA region, so requires regional travel approximately 20-30% of the time. At Amazon, we also believe that in-person collaboration is essential to our culture and innovation. While we allow flexibility for personal circumstances, we generally expect employees to work from our offices five days a week. This approach has consistently shown that spontaneous interactions, rapid problem-solving, and the energy of in-person teamwork lead to better results for our customers. In particular, our data shows that teams working together in person are more effective at making complex decisions, onboarding new team members, and fostering the kind of creative collaboration that has driven Amazon's success. The serendipitous hallway conversations and impromptu whiteboarding sessions that happen naturally in an office environment have proven invaluable to our invention process and maintaining our high bar for excellence.
Key job responsibilities
- Oversee and manage the design of post-occupancy tenant improvement projects and small/medium new site projects and expansions, to include (1) leading the design of the space based on customer needs and technical requirements; (2) on some projects of a certain size/scale/priority, collaborate with an external/vendor design team (the Architect of Record) (3) align the design of each project to the overall concept for Corporate Workplace, as developed by the Global Design team; and (4) inform Guidelines and Standards team on design elements needed to translate into 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, whilst respecting local/cultural nuance.
- Collaborate with GREF partner teams, including Regional Portfolio Management, Sustainability and Environmental Health and 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 to external industry, professional bodies and communities, ensuring new industry standards, best practices, technology, and innovations are adopted into the program.
A day in the life
Day-to-day, this role will mainly collaborate with the EMEA Constrution team responsible for construction and delivery of projects. Also collaborate with external vendors as local project managers and design team (Architect of Record). Once projects are delivered, this role will work with the Workplace Guidelines & Standards team to indicate what design elements need to be integrated, including producing visuals and narratives that can be translated and published as Guidelines. The role will need also to be able to work in conjunction with other stakeholders to develop any process improvement initiatives or programs related to workplace design.
About the team
The Global Real Estate and Facilities (GREF) team manages Amazon's real estate and facilities globally. It's organized into Regional Portfolio Management, Global Centers of Enablement, and Global Centers of Expertise. Design, Sustainability and Engineering includes Global Design, Workplace Guidelines, Sustainability, and Engineering teams. These teams develop design concepts, implement workplace standards, and deliver various spaces across Amazon's portfolio. GREF emphasizes inclusive team culture, work-life balance, and career growth. The team values diversity and promotes knowledge sharing and mentorship. GREF strives to create spaces that support Amazonians' work while enhancing employee well-being and aligning with the company's strategic vision.
This role will be responsible for the oversight of 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 small/medium new site projects (new sites) or expansions. The project scope ranges from the design of several floors of a building to suit the needs and behaviors of a new team, to the design of smaller specialty spaces, to developing an overall design solution that can improve the workplace that can be applied to multiple projects (for example, an improvement to acoustics, lighting, or furniture). Over time, this role should gain familiarity with Amazon’s EMEA corporate workplace portfolio in order to pro-actively 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.
The successful candidate is an experienced, and engaging professional who can communicate clearly at all levels, and yet is not afraid to dive deep into details. This role works autonomously and creatively in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment, and will be working on multiple projects and initiatives, most of which have very tight delivery timelines. Attention to detail and ability to inspect issues and processes brings simplified solutions to complex problems is paramount. They should also understand the nuance of being approachable, while at the same time consultative. The candidate must be able to balance frugality with creativity in offering solutions and approach problem-solving with an emphasis on root cause.
This is a Regional role focused on the EMEA region, so requires regional travel approximately 20-30% of the time. At Amazon, we also believe that in-person collaboration is essential to our culture and innovation. While we allow flexibility for personal circumstances, we generally expect employees to work from our offices five days a week. This approach has consistently shown that spontaneous interactions, rapid problem-solving, and the energy of in-person teamwork lead to better results for our customers. In particular, our data shows that teams working together in person are more effective at making complex decisions, onboarding new team members, and fostering the kind of creative collaboration that has driven Amazon's success. The serendipitous hallway conversations and impromptu whiteboarding sessions that happen naturally in an office environment have proven invaluable to our invention process and maintaining our high bar for excellence.
Key job responsibilities
- Oversee and manage the design of post-occupancy tenant improvement projects and small/medium new site projects and expansions, to include (1) leading the design of the space based on customer needs and technical requirements; (2) on some projects of a certain size/scale/priority, collaborate with an external/vendor design team (the Architect of Record) (3) align the design of each project to the overall concept for Corporate Workplace, as developed by the Global Design team; and (4) inform Guidelines and Standards team on design elements needed to translate into 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, whilst respecting local/cultural nuance.
- Collaborate with GREF partner teams, including Regional Portfolio Management, Sustainability and Environmental Health and 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 to external industry, professional bodies and communities, ensuring new industry standards, best practices, technology, and innovations are adopted into the program.
A day in the life
Day-to-day, this role will mainly collaborate with the EMEA Constrution team responsible for construction and delivery of projects. Also collaborate with external vendors as local project managers and design team (Architect of Record). Once projects are delivered, this role will work with the Workplace Guidelines & Standards team to indicate what design elements need to be integrated, including producing visuals and narratives that can be translated and published as Guidelines. The role will need also to be able to work in conjunction with other stakeholders to develop any process improvement initiatives or programs related to workplace design.
About the team
The Global Real Estate and Facilities (GREF) team manages Amazon's real estate and facilities globally. It's organized into Regional Portfolio Management, Global Centers of Enablement, and Global Centers of Expertise. Design, Sustainability and Engineering includes Global Design, Workplace Guidelines, Sustainability, and Engineering teams. These teams develop design concepts, implement workplace standards, and deliver various spaces across Amazon's portfolio. GREF emphasizes inclusive team culture, work-life balance, and career growth. The team values diversity and promotes knowledge sharing and mentorship. GREF strives to create spaces that support Amazonians' work while enhancing employee well-being and aligning with the company's strategic vision.