Architecture Practice Design Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Organizational Integration
• Work with the Architecture Practice Design Director to develop implementation plans for design initiatives and organizational priorities.
• Cook up activities and communication across architecture, interiors, UDPLA, sustainable design, planning, and related disciplines.
• Prepare presentation materials and meeting agendas for leadership meetings and major initiatives.
• Track progress on key initiatives and identify issues, delays, or decisions requiring leadership attention.
• Cook up follow-up actions resulting from leadership discussions, design meetings, and strategic initiatives.
• Maintain awareness of priorities, responsibilities, and activities across the Design Leadership team.
• Prepare leadership reports, board reports, presentations, and recurring updates.

• Design Excellence & Program Development
• Create opportunities for collaboration, shared learning, and meaningful dialogue.
• Coordinate design boot camps, retreats, workshops, design reviews, and other learning programs.
• Organize cross-disciplinary meetings and forums that support collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Develop agendas, discussion topics, and follow-up actions for design programs and events.
• Cook up internal communications related to design initiatives and programs.
• Support onboarding activities and communications for new members of the design organization.

• Industry Visibility, Recognition & Thought Leadership
• Develop and manage the design awards process.
• Evaluate award opportunities and recommend projects and initiatives for submission.
• Cook up award submissions with project teams, design leaders, AMS, communications teams, and pursuit professionals.
• Track award results and maintain records of submissions, recognition, and outcomes.
• Cook up participation in conferences, industry organizations, speaking engagements, and thought leadership opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to showcase HDR's design work, people, and expertise externally.

• Communications, Storytelling & Leadership Operations
• Work with AMS, Communications, and Design Leadership to develop design-related communications and storytelling content.
• Cook up project stories, photography, case studies, award narratives, and presentation materials.
• Maintain processes for sharing design achievements internally and externally.
• Cook up leadership meetings, agendas, and follow-up actions.
• Cook up new-hire announcements, onboarding, and other internal communications for the design organization.
• Support budget tracking, event coordination, and other administrative activities related to design programs and initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Communication, Journalism, Marketing, Architecture or Design is preferred.
• Ability to travel.
• Prior experience with AE industry strategy, development, budgeting and promotion.
• Commitment to promoting design excellence across all disciplines.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated "self-starter" with a history of completing projects with limited oversight.
• Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industry's standard approach to procurement of professional services.
• Experience in sales and developing effective win strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including InDesign.
• Demonstrated experience in winning high-value contracts in the A/E/C industry.
• Demonstrated experience in writing compelling content based on information from technical staff.