Gensler reviews

3.6

64% would recommend to a friend

(2,477 total reviews)
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Elizabeth Brink, Jordan Goldstein, Andy Cohen, and Diane Hoskins

80% approve of CEO

57% positive business outlook

Gensler has an employee rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars, based on 2,477 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Gensler employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Construction, repair and maintenance industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews
1.0
Jun 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There are some talented and personable people in the office.

Cons

After Gensler invited me to review open positions, I applied for a Project Manager role and completed multiple rounds of interviews under the understanding that I was being considered for that position. At no point during the interview process was I clearly informed that I was being considered for a different role. After receiving and accepting an offer, I was surprised to be asked nearly two weeks later to submit a new application for a Mid-Level Architect position (5–10 years of experience) so that onboarding could proceed. This immediately raised concerns about the company. At that point I could reject the signed offer or protect myself in writing and accept another role. Prior to my first day of employment, I documented in writing the types of responsibilities I was not interested in performing based on lessons learned from previous employers. Despite this, many of my initial assignments closely aligned with the very responsibilities I had specifically stated I would not accept. This left me questioning whether those concerns had been communicated by the office leaders to my supervisors before my employment began. What was a point of hiring me if my conditions clearly were not aligned with how this company operates? The confusion continued after I started. Internal onboarding documents distributed to employees identified my position as an Architect with 10–15 years of experience, which appears to align with the firm's Senior Architect classification rather than the Mid-Level Architect position I had been asked to apply for. Despite multiple requests for clarification, I never received a satisfactory explanation for these inconsistencies. did not start the job intending to document issues in writing. However, I received conflicting information regarding my role, responsibilities, and expectations on some projects that I joined, making written documentation necessary to maintain a clear record of communications and requests for clarification. Approximately two weeks after starting, my employment was terminated. Rather than addressing the role-related concerns I had raised, I was told that I was not a good cultural fit. In my experience, this was the most confusing hiring and onboarding process, as well as workload that I have encountered. The combination of role misalignment, inconsistent communication, heavy workload expectations, and lack of clarity regarding responsibilities created an impossible working environment. I can understand that there may have been internal miscommunication regarding my role, including the possibility that negotiated conditions were overlooked or that my title was changed after I started. I do not believe it is reasonable that three separate issues occurred in sequence, all of which ultimately benefited the company. However, given these circumstances, I do not believe termination without an opportunity to continue employment was justified. In my view, an agreement should be honored as it was originally made. I believe candidates should obtain detailed written confirmation of their role and responsibilities before accepting an offer.

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Gensler Response
1w
Thanks for taking the time to share feedback on your experience at Gensler. We appreciate your candor and consider all the feedback we receive and will share your comments with leadership.
1.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working for a global company provides exposure to large-scale projects, international teams, and a broad network of expertise. This can be valuable for early career development and learning how larger organisations operate across different regions. Colleagues across teams are supportive, approachable, and collaborative. There are many skilled and talented people within the business, and working with them is an enjoyable part of the role. Some of the overseas studios demonstrate strong structure, processes, and operational clarity, which highlights how effective systems can improve efficiency and employee experience.

Cons

Compensation was not competitive relative to workload, responsibilities, and expectations. Long hours were common, and unpaid overtime often formed part of the standard way of working rather than being the exception. Workloads were consistently high, with employees frequently working beyond standard hours. This contributed to a culture where work life balance was difficult to maintain, and regular after hours communication reinforced an “always on” working environment. Flexibility was limited compared to industry norms, particularly in relation to remote working arrangements and autonomy over working patterns. Operational structure and internal processes were limited, particularly around planning, workflow management, and delivery expectations. This sometimes resulted in unclear priorities and reactive ways of working. Recognition of effort and performance felt inconsistent, with limited alignment between contribution & workload.

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Gensler Response
1w
Thanks for taking the time to share feedback on your experience at Gensler. We appreciate your candor and consider all the feedback we receive. Encouraging our people to ask questions and share their perspectives is fundamental to our firm’s culture. We appreciate your feedback, but unfortunately since you did not identify your home office we are unable to notify leadership of your concerns.
4.0
Jun 11, 2026

Great opportunities for growth

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working at Gensler as an Architect has been a highly rewarding experience. One of the greatest strengths of the firm is the wide range of opportunities available across diverse practice areas, allowing architects to explore different project types and expand their expertise. The collaborative environment encourages professional growth and continuous learning.

Cons

The Coorporate ladder is a bit hard to climb

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Gensler Response
1w
Thanks so much for the feedback. We love to hear from our people. You and your colleagues are the foundation of our success.
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