Studio Director

About the role

Westside Design, in partnership with Westside Build, is a Santa Monica-based design and construction firm rebuilding homes across the Pacific Palisades in the wake of the wildfire. We bring architecture, design, and construction under one roof, with a strong emphasis on technology, speed, and craft. We are looking for a Studio Director to lead an entire studio across client management, contracts, design, technical coordination, and delivery. This is a senior leadership role for someone who can operate as a broad-based leader rather than a narrow specialist, someone who can move between client conversations, project strategy, technical issues, team leadership, and day-to-day studio needs with ease. This role is intended to be more of a multi-tool leadership position: a person who can talk about contracts, deal with clients, guide design, engage technical and CA issues, and help support the Managing Principal lead the full studio.

Responsibilities

• Studio Leadership
  • Lead the overall performance of the studio across client service, project execution, staffing coordination, and day-to-day operations
  • Serve as a senior leader helping guide studio priorities, unblock issues, and maintain momentum across multiple active projects
  • Partner with firm leadership on studio structure, resourcing, and operational effectiveness
  • Help create accountability across the studio by following up on open items, pushing decisions forward, and keeping workstreams moving
• Client & Project Leadership
  • Serve as a senior point of contact for clients and help manage relationships across active work
  • Navigate project conversations across scope, contracts, design, technical coordination, and delivery
  • Step into difficult project situations and help resolve issues with sound judgment and a broad understanding of project needs
  • Balance design intent, technical requirements, coordination demands, and client expectations across the life of a project
• Contracts, Technical Oversight & CA
  • Engage directly in contract review, contract language discussions, and related project risk items as needed
  • Provide high-level oversight on technical issues and support teams in resolving project coordination challenges
  • Participate in CA-related discussions and help ensure project issues are being surfaced and addressed appropriately
  • Act as a senior escalation point when projects need broader leadership attention beyond pure design questions
• Team Leadership
  • Help supervise and support team members working across design, project delivery, and technical execution
  • Provide oversight and direction to staff who need support coordinating clients, internal standards, and changing project demands
  • Mentor team members and help reinforce expectations for accountability, communication, and cross-functional coordination
  • Work closely with leadership to identify where additional supervision or stronger management coverage is needed

Requirements

• 13+ years of professional experience in architecture, residential design-build, or a comparable studio environment
• 8+ years leading complex residential projects through design, technical coordination, and delivery
• 5+ years in a senior leadership role spanning client management, contracts, team oversight, and project execution
• Residential experience, especially custom homes, ADUs, and rebuild work
• Proven ability to lead across contracts, client management, design discussions, technical coordination, and CA
• Strong leadership presence and sound judgment in a fast-moving environment
• Experience overseeing teams, projects, and multiple stakeholder relationships
• Strong communication skills and the ability to operate effectively with clients, internal teams, and leadership
• Must bring direct experience in a comparable leadership seat; this is not intended as a step-up role from PM or senior project architect

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years in a role such as Studio Director, Senior Project Manager, Design Director, or similar leadership role
• Experience in integrated architecture/construction or design-build settings
• Familiarity with consultant coordination, construction documentation, and field-related problem solving

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule: four days in-office, one day remote
• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• A collaborative, innovative work environment with a supportive culture focused on mentorship and growth

Pay

The salary range for this role is $140,000-$165,000.