Director of Design

Location

West Palm Beach, FL | United States

Job description

LEO A DALY is a leader in the design of the built environment dedicated to transforming the human experience through the power of design. For more than 100 years, we’ve created places that inspire wonder, connect communities and enable great things. Our creative teams combine planning, architecture, engineering, interiors and program management to deliver truly integrated design.

We are a diverse collection of inventive problem solvers united by a passion for great design.

We own the impact of our work, socially, economically and environmentally. In collaboration with our clients and each other, we create innovative, thoughtful and sustainable solutions to the urgent challenges that face our world.

Click WHO WE ARE to learn more about us! 

The Design Director will actively participate in guiding and implementing a cohesive design vision for the firm, engage in strategic planning and collaboratively work with office leadership groups to ensure the success of the firm’s architectural practice. They will develop and maintain a positive internal design culture within their studio. In addition, The Design Director will represent design goals and philosophy externally, actively contributing to brand identity as a design-forward firm through participation in writing, speaking, awards submissions, design juries and other public and industry-specific outreach. They will contribute to new business development efforts through design preparations and presentations, and will participate in key meetings and interviews to grow and develop business. The Design Director will report directly to the Managing Principal, and indirectly to the Global Design Principals. They will collaborate with all Market Sector leaders and Global Discipline Directors within the studio in the pursuit and execution of design work at a consistently high level. The Design Director will also work closely with the team and discipline leadership to oversee a collaborative, thoughtful design process and ensure design quality, talent growth and talent recruitment. Together with the other studio leaders, the Design Director will develop and mentor staff, curate opportunities for the expansion of design vision within the studio, enhance the design spirit of the studio, and provide design leadership across the studio. 

Leadership

• Lead the design of key projects as the primary lead designer responsible for overall design vision, quality and implementation, while fostering opportunities for those within the team to learn and to grow.
• Mentor and coach design talent, empowering others and encouraging design growth while setting the standard for the overall depth and quality of design. Establish and reinforce design expectations of the studio practice throughout all project phases, maintaining consistent involvement as necessary for the duration of projects.
• Partner with the Managing Principal to participate in and lead activities within the studio that further design quality and foster a design culture. `
• Provide a productive and collaborative environment for all staff through a coherent, consistent, and transparent design process.
• Participate in recruitment activities to acquire additional talent at multiple levels.
• Partner with the Director of Operations to maintain interdepartmental goals, project accountability, and staff utilization while complying with studio and firm procedures and standards.
• Engage with other Design Directors and Global Design Principals in an ongoing dialogue to advance firm-wide design thinking.

Business Development, Marketing and Brand Building

• Build, develop and maintain new and long-standing relationships with key clients, serving as their primary contact, leading to repeat business.
• Develop and maintain a positive network of vendors, suppliers, and consultants, supporting LEO A DALY’s relationships within the market and building the brand as a high-performing design practice.
• Speak at conferences, participate in awards juries, speak/teach at schools of design and submit articles for publications to build LEO A DALY’s design voice and to become recognized as a design thought leader in the industry.
• Actively participate in social, civic, trade, and professional organizations to support marketing efforts.
• Contribute, as lead or as partner, in the active identification of project opportunities and in the pursuit of prospective projects and clients.

Client Man agement

• Develop and maintain client relationships.
• Maintain contact with the client partnerships.

Strategic Planning

• Participate with corporate and studio leadership to vision, plan and implement strategic design initiatives, design quality requirements, and design policy.
• As part of the Studio Leadership, elevate and maintain the depth and quality of the work as well as the overall quality of the studio.

Design Execution

• Assist the Managing Principal, Global Market Sector Leaders, Market Sector Leaders, and Discipline Leads in project development strategies, including providing key thought leadership and support as required in the preparation of proposals. Participate in presentations, interviews and project award submissions.
• Work closely with Project Managers and the Managing Principal to execute projects at a consistently high level, meeting client goals and exceeding client expectations, within the designated budget and schedule.
• Provide design direction and mentorship, periodically reviewing projects to ensure that quality standards and design requirements are being met.
• Complete work in a timely fashion, enabling full team collaboration to achieve project schedules and milestones. Use creative design skills to troubleshoot design, production or construction issues for the benefit of the client.
• Using sound planning and design principles, create design solutions that are buildable, responsive to the intent of the client and consistent with local building codes and agency requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Architecture from an accredited institution.
• Architectural registration.
• 15+ years of experience with the last five years as a recognized design leader in an accomplished architectural design practice.
• Portfolio of accomplished built work demonstrating experience in the planning and design of large scale projects.
• Superior graphic, written and oral communication skills, both design and interpersonal
• High degree of computer literacy with proficiency in a broad range of design software qualification.
• Portfolio of built work in several market sectors preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Acknowledgement of design talent or design contribution by industry peers (such as design awards, published work, speaking engagements, involvement in schools of architecture) is a highly prefer.
• High-performance sustainable design is a key component of the firm’s design agenda. Demonstrated experience in the implementation of sustainable design principles is highly valued.
• LEED Certification.

Why join LEO A DALY?

At LEO A DALY, you will become part of a collaborative design culture and do work that matters. As an integrated design practice, we believe that a diversity of perspectives generates better solutions. We trust and support each other, ask hard questions and solve complex problems. Guided by a spirit of inquiry, we design for people at every scale, creating spaces that elevate individuals, their communities, and the institutions that serve them. Join LEO A DALY - help us transform the world.

LEO A DALY Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. LEO A DALY Company, is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities, including providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability. Applicants with a physical or mental disability who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process may contact the Human Resources Department by phone at 402-391-8111 or by email at [email protected] . For more information about your rights under the law, see EEO is the law .

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