Design Director

About the role

This is an opportunity for a proven design leader who is passionate about both exceptional design and developing others to achieve their full potential.

Responsibilities

• Lead Design Excellence
• Provide visionary design leadership and establish a clear creative direction for the studio.
• Guide teams in developing innovative design concepts aligned with project goals and client expectations.
• Oversee the quality of design processes, project delivery, and built outcomes.
• Champion creative excellence and ensure all projects align with the firm’s Living Design Framework.
• Conduct design reviews and quality-control reviews throughout project development.
• Work with firmwide leadership to organize and execute peer workshops at appropriate project milestones.
• Stay current on emerging industry trends, technologies, and design practices.
• Build and Develop High-Performing Teams
• Lead, mentor, coach, and inspire multidisciplinary design teams.
• Foster a collaborative and creative work environment.
• Partner with Talent Managers and studio leadership to recruit, interview, hire, and develop design talent.
• Support the growth of diverse talent and skillsets across the studio.
• Mentor staff and help them achieve both personal and professional development goals.
• Facilitate ongoing learning through design discussions, conferences, seminars, and educational opportunities.
• Build long-term bench strength and cultivate future design leaders.
• Serve as a Studio and Client Leader
• Partner with the Managing Director and Operations Director to establish strategic goals and ensure execution.
• Collaborate with clients, stakeholders, and project teams to develop innovative solutions that achieve functional, aesthetic, and financial objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, decision-makers, consultants, and industry influencers.
• Represent the firm’s commitment to design within public, professional, cultural, and academic communities.
• Build relationships with professional organizations and academic institutions.
• Contribute to Studio Growth
• Participate in staffing decisions and team composition.
• Support project planning, scope development, work plans, and fee negotiations.
• Participate in marketing activities, including go/no-go decisions and interview leadership.
• Help strategize, pursue, and win work for the studio.
• Partner in developing and maintaining the studio’s design vision.
• Advance studio initiatives related to career development, talent advancement, and inclusion.

Required Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture or related discipline.
• Professional architectural license.
• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience.
• Knowledge of industry regulations, life-safety requirements, and building codes.
• Knowledge of site analysis, conceptual design, schematic design, design development, contract documents, and construction administration.
• Strong ideator and conceptual thinker
• Strong design portfolio, ideally broad-based on a range of project types.
• Strong project budgeting and contract negotiation skills.
• Strong working relationships with clients and consultants.
• Experience in hiring, directing, mentoring, and coordinating successful project teams
• Working knowledge of Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Enscape, and VRay.
• LEED GA and one Living Design accreditation upon hire or within six months of hire.

Pay

The annual pay salary range for this position in Denver is between $162,000 and $195,000.