T.J. Gottesdiener joined SOM in 1980 and was named partner in 1994. He has overseen a wide range of projects, from speculative developments and owner-occupied buildings to civic facilities and office interiors. In addition to his project leadership, Gottesdiener is responsible for the management and operations at SOM’s New York office.

Gottesdiener has led many of SOM’s most complex and challenging projects in New York City, where he is fully committed to enhancing the built environment. Deeply involved in the revitalization of the World Trade Center site, Gottesdiener has played a major role in the planning, design, and construction of 13 million square feet of commercial development in collaboration with the agencies overseeing the site's memorial, cultural, and transportation functions. He has led two key projects: 7 World Trade Center, which opened in 2006, and One World Trade Center, which opened in 2014.

Other high-profile Manhattan projects include the Time Warner Center mixed-use development, the New York Mercantile Exchange headquarters, a new academic building for the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, a residential tower at 101 Warren Street, and the renovation of the landmark Lever House tower. Gottesdiener's distinguished portfolio also features interiors for financial and corporate clients such as the New York Stock Exchange, Alcoa, and Citibank.

The breadth of Gottesdiener’s experience is further demonstrated by his global work. International projects include the AIG Tower in Hong Kong, Tokyo Midtown in Japan, Lotte Super Tower in Seoul, and the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences in Mexico City. Moreover, he has managed projects in the Philippines and Brazil totaling more than 9 million square feet.

Gottesdiener continues his commitment to New York City through his involvement in the Real Estate Board of New York, The Skyscraper Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, and the American Institute of Architects, which in 2003 elevated Gottesdiener to its prestigious College of Fellows.