Design Director

The Design Director will lead the design management function for the business. You will be responsible for leading the strategic vision, driving innovation, and delivering high-quality projects across multiple sectors. This role requires strong creative leadership, business development skills, and a proven ability to manage complex design initiatives while building lasting client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the overall design vision, aligning with broader strategic goals.
• Drive business growth by identifying and pursuing new opportunities through industry networks and client relationships.
• Act as the face of design leadership in client presentations, industry events, and key stakeholder meetings.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to shape long-term strategies for expansion and profitability.
• Oversee all design stages from concept to delivery, ensuring projects meet client expectations, timelines, and budgets.
• Serve as the primary client liaison, translating requirements into innovative, functional design solutions.
• Ensure design integration with technical, commercial, and operational aspects across projects.
• Maintain high standards of quality, compliance, and value engineering in all outputs.
• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team, create a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence.
• Coordinate with project teams and external stakeholders to align design delivery with project goals.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration to enhance efficiency and innovation.
• Monitor project performance, budgets, and resource use to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Apply best practices in documentation, reporting, and knowledge sharing.
• Address design challenges proactively, delivering solutions that balance creativity, feasibility and cost.
• Stay updated on global design trends, technologies, and sustainability practices to maintain industry leadership.
• Contribute to thought leadership through insights, publications, and participation in design forums.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience with 5+ years in senior leadership, managing design teams and large-scale projects.
• Proven success in business development, client acquisition, and driving growth.
• Skilled in aligning design strategy with commercial objectives.
• Proficient in AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and project management tools.
• Excellent presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Creative and practical approach to solving complex challenges.
• Professional licensure (e.g., NCIDQ, RIBA) or PMP certification is a plus.