The Obama Foundation is looking for a design associate to help with the Obama Presidential Center

This week, we are featuring a job opening on Archinect Jobs for a Senior Associate of Design for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. As part of the Obama Foundation team, the successful candidate will be responsible for managing the project budget, schedule, and on-site construction team, as well as procuring and installing all furniture, fixtures, equipment, accessories, and art for the centre. This is a key role in the delivery of the high-profile Obama Presidential Center project.

 

Why the role interests us

It has been over a year since former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center. The recent recruitment of individuals to manage construction and procurement at the site is a positive sign that progress is being made on the highly anticipated project. The job posting lists the position as ending on December 19th, 2025, which suggests that the centre may be close to completion and ready for a public opening around that time. This would coincide with the ten-year anniversary of the announcement that the centre would be built in Chicago's Jackson Park. However, the construction of the centre has not been without controversy, as there were concerns about noise and air pollution that led to a motion to halt construction being denied by the Supreme Court.

Opposition to the centre has been present since its design was revealed in 2017. In 2018, over 100 faculty members from the University of Chicago wrote a letter expressing their opposition to the centre due to economic and preservation concerns. As a result, the design of the centre was changed in 2019 to be more transparent and lively in response to the initial criticism. The latest job advertisement for the team overseeing the construction of the centre also encourages applicants who may not meet all of the listed qualifications to apply, reflecting President Obama's message of inclusion 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.”