Following last week’s look at an opening for an Auditorium and Seating Designer at Theatre Projects Consultants, we are using our Job Highlights series this week to explore an open role on Archinect Jobs for a Senior Associate of Design for the Obama Presidential Center.
The role, situated in Chicago, calls for an individual to join the wider Obama Foundation team delivering the high-profile project. Responsibilities for the successful candidate will include managing the project’s budget, workflow schedule, and on-site construction team, as well as managing the procurement and installation of all furniture, fixtures, equipment, accessories, and art for the center.
Why the role interests us
Over one year since former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama personally broke ground on the Obama Presidential Center, the recruitment of individuals to oversee on-site construction and procurement offers the latest sign of progress on the closely-watched project. The noted expiration of the role on December 19th, 2025, also offers an insight into when the scheme may approach its completion and public opening.
A 2026 opening for the scheme would coincide with the ten-year anniversary of the announcement that the center was to be built in Chicago’s Jackson Park. The construction of the center in Jackson Park has not been without controversy in the years since. Last year, we reported on a ruling from the Supreme Court, which refused a motion to halt construction of the scheme over concerns that the project would exacerbate noise and air pollution issues.
The case was one of several moments of opposition to the center, whose design attracted strong views upon its unveiling in 2017. At the beginning of 2018, more than 100 University of Chicago faculty members penned a letter opposing the center on economic and preservation grounds, while in 2019, the scheme’s design was altered to provide a more transparent, animated form following the original criticism.
For those interested in joining the team overseeing the center’s construction, the latest job ad on Archinect Jobs also encourages those who do not fit every qualification listed to apply regardless, echoing a message of inclusion that President Obama made at this year's AIA Conference.
“Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification,” the ad notes. “The Obama Foundation is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application.”
Further reading for interested candidates
Job Highlights is one of a number of ongoing weekly series showcasing the opportunities available on our industry-leading job board. Our Meet Your Next Employer profiles and interviews interesting studios with open positions currently available on Archinect Jobs, while our weekly roundups curate job opportunities by location, career level, and job description.
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