Lead Designer

Roles and responsibilities

• Manages design team members during the implementation of design to ensure clarity and quality of concept is maintained through detail level.
• Manages client interaction and decision making relative to design from a complete Basis of Design, or User Requirements Brief
• Create and develop planning and design concepts for university, institutional and/or healthcare facilities, such as Earth and Life Science & Engineering Facilities, STEM Education (Science and Engineering) Facilities, Professional Schools (Business, Law), General Classroom Facilities, and Student Life Facilities (Residential, Dining, Recreation).
• Present design solutions to client representatives and/or design review committees.
• Supervise the development of renderings and presentation drawings for client presentations and internal meetings.
• Mentor, provide oversight, and monitor the design work of others to ensure integrated and cohesive designs.
• Will report to the Architectural Studio Leadership and will work closely with the Architectural Discipline Leader, Office Director, Marketing and Senior Designers of the firm to market our services in the various practices

An ideal candidate has:

• Must have thorough knowledge of applicable International building codes.
• Demonstrated effectiveness and commitment to working in a team-based setting, delivering high client service and technical competence.
• Advanced graphic and verbal presentation skills
• Proficiency with Computer Modeling (rhino, Revit) AutoCAD, SketchUp, AR/VR presentation techniques Photoshop, Illustrator and PowerPoint.
• Strong business acumen and critical thinking skills in the pursuit of work
• Strong communication skills and the ability to earn the respect of clients, team members, direct reports and others external to the firm
• Has the ability to lead an integrated design process including architects, interior designers, engineers, planners and site designers.
• Demonstrated coaching and mentoring skills to develop future design talent

Qualifications

• Registration as a RIBA or equivalent licensed architect is required; LEED AP is preferred.
• Minimum 15-20 years’ experience as primary or secondary lead architectural designer on institutional building types.
• Experience in education projects is required.

Desired candidate profile

1. Concept Development and Design Vision:

• Design Leadership: Lead the conceptualization and development of design solutions, ensuring that they align with project objectives, brand identity (if relevant), and user requirements.
• Creative Direction: Set the creative direction for the project, making key design decisions that guide the project’s aesthetic and functional aspects.
• Innovation and Creativity: Propose innovative design concepts and solutions, pushing the boundaries of creativity while balancing feasibility and practicality.

2. Team Management and Collaboration:

• Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of designers, providing guidance on design standards, project execution, and individual development.
• Delegation of Tasks: Delegate design tasks to team members, ensuring workloads are balanced and aligned with project priorities and deadlines.
• Collaboration with Stakeholders: Work closely with clients, engineers, architects, project managers, and other team members to ensure the design is in line with overall project goals and requirements.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Foster strong communication between design and other departments (e.g., development, marketing, production) to ensure seamless project execution.

3. Design Execution and Production:

• Design Development: Oversee the detailed design development process, ensuring that the final design meets all technical, aesthetic, and functional requirements.
• Prototyping and Testing: In certain industries (e.g., product design, architecture), oversee the creation of prototypes or mockups to validate design ideas before final production.
• Quality Control: Ensure the design adheres to established quality standards and brand guidelines, ensuring consistency throughout the project.

4. Project Management and Oversight:

• Timeline Management: Manage design schedules, ensuring that deadlines are met and that any potential delays are addressed proactively.
• Budget Oversight: Work with project managers to ensure that the design stays within the project budget, making adjustments if needed.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks related to design execution, including design conflicts, technical limitations, or resource constraints.

5. Client and Stakeholder Interaction:

• Client Presentations: Present design concepts and progress to clients and stakeholders, explaining design decisions and gathering feedback.
• Client Collaboration: Work closely with clients to understand their vision, preferences, and requirements, and incorporate their feedback into the design process.
• Managing Expectations: Balance client needs and expectations with project constraints (e.g., budget, timelines) to ensure a successful outcome.

6. Final Delivery and Handover:

• Design Refinement: Finalize designs for production, ensuring that all components are refined, functional, and ready for implementation or manufacture.
• Handover: Deliver design specifications, documentation, and any necessary instructions for production or implementation to the relevant teams (e.g., production, developers, builders).
• Post-Delivery Support: In some cases, the Lead Designer may be involved in post-delivery evaluations, addressing any design-related issues or improvements.