Director, Global Workplace Design

Director, Global Workplace Design

The Workplace Experience team partners with the Real Estate team to create and construct innovative workplace environments that enable business success through comprehensive and thoughtful planning, innovative and sustainable design, and well-planned, execution. EA's vision for Workplace Experience is globally consistent and locally relevant design that meets and exceeds the needs of our employees

The Director of Workplace Design will lead the development of global workplace standards and contracts, including creating a playbook to guide workplace design across EA's global offices. You will also oversee vendor relationships and collaborate closely with Real Estate and Operations partners to support workplace design and buildout projects. You will work closely with business unit leaders to understand the individual identities of each studio or business unit to develop interior design and aesthetics that highlight each team's unique character and qualities. You will apply knowledge of workplace strategy and innovative planning strategies to create spaces which engage our people and allow them to make an impact.

You will report to the Senior Director of Global Real Estate & Capital Projects and work in a hybrid work model 3 days in office based in out of Vancouver, Canada. You will oversee an Environmental Graphic Design Manager as well as external design resources as needed.

Responsibilities

● Partner with key EA leaders and teams to consult and solicit feedback on the design of their workplaces and then lead design options for EA office/game Studio spaces

● Design Leadership & Vision Develop and lead the overall design vision, workplace design strategy, and experience standards across the global office portfolio, ensuring spaces reflect the company's culture, brand, and gaming identity.

● Global Design Standards Establish and maintain comprehensive design standards, third party resources and oversight, MSA's, guidelines, specifications, and principles for workplace interiors, including finishes, furniture, lighting, acoustics, technology integration, signage, and employee experience.

● Portfolio-Wide Consistency with Local Flexibility Create a scalable design framework that provides a consistent global employee experience while allowing for regional requirements, local culture, building characteristics, and market conditions.

● Workplace Experience & Innovation Lead the evolution of workplace environments to support collaboration, creativity, focused work, social interaction, and the unique needs of gaming and creative teams. Identify emerging workplace trends and innovative design solutions.

● Brand Integration Partner closely with Brand, Creative, People/HR, and Workplace teams to translate the company's identity and gaming culture into distinctive physical environments that strengthen employee engagement and reinforce the brand.

● Project Design Oversight Provide design leadership throughout the lifecycle of major workplace projects—from test fits and concept development through design development, construction, and final delivery—ensuring projects meet established standards and design intent.

● Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E) Own the global FF&E strategy and standards, including furniture typologies, workplace settings, specifications, procurement guidelines, and lifecycle considerations.

● Cross-Functional & Stakeholder Leadership Build strong partnerships with Real Estate, Workplace, IT, Security, People/HR, Finance, and business leadership to ensure design decisions align with business requirements, employee needs, technology, and financial objectives.

● Design Quality, Budget & Scalability Balance design excellence with cost, operational efficiency, sustainability, and long-term flexibility. Develop solutions that can be consistently implemented across a complex, rapidly evolving global portfolio.

● Team & External Partner Leadership Lead and mentor internal design resources while managing relationships with architects, interior designers, consultants, vendors, and other external partners to ensure quality and consistent execution.

● Portfolio: demonstrates experiential, creative and highly branded workplace environments beyond standard office environments

Capabilities

● Experience working as part of a team and as a people manager

● Strong public speaking skills and ability to present at studio all-hands meetings.

● Expertise in workplace design, people engagement, workplace strategy, and environmental graphic design.

● Must have experience with and a thorough understanding of architectural design budgets and be able to apply the impact of specifications and design elements to the overall project budget.

● Detailed understanding of integrating and harmonizing mechanical systems, lighting systems, air quality systems, and sound in the environment

● Understanding of architectural process best practices

● Strong financial rigor understanding budgets and corporate environments to manage outcomes and expectations

● Understanding of workplace trends, including knowledge of workplace strategy and furniture systems

● Ability to resolve design questions and gain consensus for decision-making

● Proven architectural design knowledge and graphic design skills

● Ability to work with all levels of internal and external management

● Ability to provide project management insights for project team.

● Proficiency in Workplace engagements such as surveys, vision sessions, programming interviews, focus groups, etc.

Qualifications

● 10 or more years of relevant experience in architecture for commercial office space, including interiors

● 5+ years in a senior leadership role, ideally managing design programs, teams, or significant external design partners

● Strong computer graphics and desktop publishing skills

● Proficiency with Windows /NT, Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe

● InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Google Suite, Bluebeam, and AutoCad,

● Revit proficiency

● Bachelor and/or Master Architecture or Interior Design

● Professional accreditation in Architecture or Interior Design

● LEED accreditation

● Knowledge of Design Thinking and Innovation Strategy sessions