Senior Director – Architecture & Interior Design Management

About the Position

Leading at Cognizant

This is a Leadership role at Cognizant. We believe how you lead is as important as what you deliver. Cognizant leaders at every level: **Drive our business strategy **and inspire teams around our future. Live the leadership behaviors, leading themselves, others and the business. Uphold our Values, role modelling them **in every action and decision. Nurture our people and culture, creating a workplace where all can thrive.

At Cognizant, leadership transcends titles and is embodied in actions and behaviours. We empower our leaders at every level to drive business strategy, inspire teams, uphold our values, and foster an inclusive culture.

The Role

The Corporate Real Estate and Workplace Services (CREWS) organization enables Cognizant’s business growth through the planning, development, delivery and management of world-class workplace environments. As Cognizant continues to expand and modernize its workplace portfolio, CREWS plays a critical role in ensuring safe, scalable, sustainable and employee-centric facilities across India.

We are seeking a **Senior Director – Architecture & Interior Design Management **to provide enterprise-level leadership across large-scale construction, redevelopment, workplace transformation and fit-out programs. This role will lead the execution of strategic real estate investments while ensuring alignment with business priorities, operational readiness, employee experience, sustainability objectives and governance requirements.

The role is pivotal in ensuring that all projects are delivered with rigorous controls across scope, cost, schedule, quality, statutory compliance, risk management and operational handover readiness. The successful candidate will combine technical expertise, commercial acumen and executive leadership to deliver transformational workplace infrastructure programs across India.

Every choice we make aligns to our vision: to become the pre-eminent technology services partner to the world’s top companies.

At Cognizant, we are a high-performing team with heart. Our workplaces are designed to enable collaboration, innovation and growth. If you are a strategic construction leader who thrives in complex environments, values operational excellence and is passionate about delivering high-impact workplace programs, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-location greenfield, redevelopment, interior fit-out, workplace transformation and Design & Build design programs from initiation through handover and operational stabilization.
• Own design brief, scope alignment, quality, stakeholder approvals, digital workplace integration, statutory compliance, cost alignment, schedule support, risk governance and executive reporting.
• Define design delivery strategy, consultant engagement model, procurement support, stage-gates, review cadences, documentation standards, decision logs and escalation mechanisms.
• Govern architects, interior designers, PMCs, specialist consultants, Design & Build contractors, workplace strategists and technology design partners through clear performance expectations.
• Embed authority inputs, respective State and NBC compliance, fire and life safety, accessibility, local regulations, environmental obligations and design approval dependencies into the design process.
• Lead integrated design management across master planning, architecture, interiors, workplace strategy, structural coordination, MEP, facade, landscape, sustainability, IT/AV, security, fire and life safety, smart building and building technology systems.
• Drive design-to-brief, constructability, value engineering, design-to-budget discipline, lifecycle cost, maintainability, operational efficiency, user experience, brand alignment and future flexibility.
• Establish review cadences, technical risk registers, interface matrices, change control protocols, mock-up approvals, material workflows and stage-gate sign-offs to protect design quality and compliance.
• Integrate physical workplace planning and digital workplace capabilities from concept stage, including IT infrastructure, IDF/MDF rooms, structured cabling, Wi-Fi, AV, hybrid rooms, room booking, access control, visitor management, digital signage, BMS, CAFM/IWMS, smart building platforms and workplace analytics.
• Partner with IT, AV, Network, Security, Facilities, Smart Building, Workplace Operations and Business teams on technology standards, mock-up validation, commissioning, user acceptance testing and operational handover.
• Ensure collaboration spaces, meeting rooms, training areas, command centers, reception, client experience spaces and employee amenities are designed for usability, acoustics, camera sightlines, lighting, maintainability and serviceability.
• Partner with business leadership, CREWS, finance, procurement, legal, EHS, IT, security, facilities, real estate strategy, HR, branding, sustainability and workplace operations to align requirements and decisions.
• Lead workshops, option analysis, steering committee updates, dashboards, decision notes and mitigation plans; serve as design escalation point for risks, dependencies, consultant performance, contractor submissions, authority matters and commercial trade-offs.
• Govern design budgets, cost plans, contingencies, procurement packages, value engineering, change requests, consultant deliverables, milestone trackers, statutory inputs, procurement release dates and construction information requirements.
• Mitigate risks across design completeness, statutory compliance, technology coordination, stakeholder decisions, cost escalation, constructability, consultant capability, procurement readiness and handover.
• Champion design quality, safety, accessibility, sustainability, wellness, operational resilience and maintainability across architecture and interiors programs.
• Ensure compliance with Indian statutory requirements, local authority conditions, fire and life safety, EHS standards, environmental permissions, workplace safety obligations and Cognizant governance expectations.
• Embed energy efficiency, water management, waste reduction, responsible materials, indoor environmental quality, smart building readiness and long-term asset performance into design outcomes.
• Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing consulting team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Consistently demonstrate the Cognizant Way to Lead, which means operating with Personal Leadership (building trust, collaboration, and inclusion), Organizational Leadership (driving vision and purpose, demonstrating a strategic and enterprise mindset, and creating and communicating a bold direction that inspires purpose), and Business Leadership (exemplifying client focus, managing ambiguity with accountability and results, and operating with financial acumen).

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive experience in large-scale construction management, real estate delivery or infrastructure program leadership, including at least 5 years as Project Director, Program Director or equivalent senior leadership.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Project Management or a related built-environment discipline.
• Master's degree or advanced qualification in Design Management, Interior Design, Workplace Strategy, Real Estate, sustainable architecture or equivalent preferred.
• PMP/RICS/LEED/IGBC or equivalent credentials are advantageous.
• Proven experience with corporate campuses, Grade-A offices, high-rise buildings, greenfield developments, complex fit-outs, Design & Build programs and multi-location design delivery in India.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate workplace technology, IT/AV, smart building systems, hybrid work environments and operational readiness into the design lifecycle, while leading consultants, PMCs, D&B partners, contractors and stakeholders across geographies.
• Experience working on large-scale greenfield projects.
• Executive presence, decision quality, commercial acumen, procurement orientation, risk discipline, contract administration, technical understanding, ethics, documentation rigor and ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams across geographies.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-location project portfolios and large capital expenditure programs in India.
• Extensive knowledge of Indian building regulations, statutory compliance requirements, environmental regulations and workplace safety standards.
• Experience managing relationships with consultants, contractors, developers, regulatory authorities and executive stakeholders.
• Strong financial acumen with experience governing large project budgets, forecasts and capital investment programs.
• Embodiment of the Cognizant Way to Lead: Leading Self, Leading Others, & Leading the Business.
• The embodiment of Cognizant’s Values of: Work as One, Dare to Innovate, Raise the Bar, Do The right Thing, & Own It.

Nice to Have

• Experience delivering million-plus square foot developments and large integrated workplace campuses.
• Strong expertise in project governance frameworks, construction delivery methodologies and operational readiness planning.
• Deep understanding of sustainability, ESG, green building certifications and responsible construction practices.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across multiple geographies and stakeholder groups.
• Strong contract administration, claims avoidance and commercial negotiation capabilities.
• Proven ability to drive innovation through digital construction technologies, analytics and project management tools.
• A commitment to continuous learning and staying current with workplace, construction, sustainability and real estate industry trends.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution while maintaining governance discipline and delivery excellence.

Work Model

Based on this role’s business requirements, the work model will be finalised once you join and may require working from a client or Cognizant office as needed. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for the role may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

Significant travel is required across active and planned project sites in India based on business priorities.

About the Company

About Cognizant:

Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.

Additional employment information

Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.

Benefits that help you thrive and grow

Our benefits program is built with you in mind-so you can enjoy a fulfilling, balanced and healthy life.

Financial wellbeing

We regularly review market data to ensure compensation reflects the value you bring. Your benefits extend beyond pay and may include retirement plans, financial education, etc.

Physical and mental health

We empower you to prioritize your wellbeing through paid time off, flexible working where possible, healthcare plans, counselling, our Mental Health Allyship program and more.

Your career, your way

With 350,000+ roles at Cognizant, you’ll have opportunities explore new technologies, industries and locations-and build the skills you need to grow your career.

Real-world impact

Think about the biggest brands you rely on. Chances are, they rely on us to help strengthen their business. Here, you’ll turn bold ideas into solutions that improve lives everywhere.

Your path to Cognizant

Here’s what you can expect from our hiring process. Please keep in mind that it may vary by role and location. Explore our FAQs to learn more.

Step 1: Apply to the right opportunity

Find an open role that matches your skills and career goals and show us why you’re the person for the job. Don’t see the right opportunity? Consider joining our Talent Community.

Step 2: Connect with your recruiter

If one of our recruiters sees a fit, they’ll set up a short intro call to learn more about you and how your experiences and skills match the role.

Step 3: Show off your skills

If you and our team would like to continue the process, you’ll interview with our hiring team. Some roles may also require technical assessments and/or client interviews.

Step 4: Decision time

Our team will then review each candidates’ potential to succeed in the role. This step may take some time because we want to find the right fit for both you and us-but you can count on us to keep you updated.