Office Design Leader

Overview:

HKS Denver is seeking an Office Design Leader to join our team.
Responsible for advancing Design Excellence (as defined by the Design Enterprise) in the respective office. Must ensure, and participate in, critical design dialog across all project teams within the office and evaluate the quality of office work against the strategic plan.
The Office Design Leader often leads or participates in multiple projects concurrently. The role focuses on growing design leadership skills related to relationship-building, collaboration and interpersonal skills while working on great projects for exceptional clients.

Responsibilities:

• Supports all project design leaders and project teams within the office and evaluates the quality of office work against the strategic plan, in collaboration with office and office leadership
• Holds all designers in their office accountable for design quality in each of their studios
• Participates in quarterly Regional Design Summits and/or Practice Design Summits to review work within the region in the spirit of continuous improvement
• Collaborates in strategic planning and facilitates communication for specific practice with other leaders, as well as vetting office marketing strategy and allocating needed resources
• Ensures project teams develop measures that can be evaluated during all stages of the project for the design enterprise standards of integration, innovation and impact
• Collaborates on projects assigned to respective office by focusing on the project process, development of the vision and goals, service/delivery, work environment and project documentation
• Collaborates with leaders such as Project Manager, Studio Practice Leader and Regional Design Director to lead the team through all phases by guiding, advising and mentoring other designers on project work, developing design direction and leading critiques
• May act as a primary interface with clients for respective office, building and
  strengthening connections through a comprehensive understanding of their mission, goals, policies, needs and progress
• Manages client expectations, team communication and consultant coordination for respective office in collaboration with project team leadership
• Serves as a design resource for the office, assisting in the resolution of complex problems, and helping them grow in their roles
• Reviews concept development and, in collaboration with Studio Practice Leader and Regional Design Director, provides leadership, inspiration and motivation to the design team to create the highest quality design documentation and to achieve client satisfaction
• Emphasizes and incorporates HKS strategic priorities, such as Design Measures into client solutions
• Operates with “ONE Firm” mindset, minimizes the sector and operational variables within the office in collaboration with Regional Design Director
• Integrates HKS services, expertise, and innovation in all projects, while actively seeking opportunities to incorporate HKS best practices, sustainable design solutions, subject matter expertise and resources strategically and efficiently for the client, user and community
• Exercises skills of persuasion and negotiation on critical issues

Qualifications:

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, related degree for
  respective field, or relevant years in education or experience
• Licensure or certification in chosen field preferred
• Typically, 15+ years of experience, including experience in a leadership role with
  demonstrated success in both project work and talent/resource development
• Significant experience in the practice area
• Sustainable design accreditation preferred
• Familiarity in the capability and benefits of design-related software preferred
• Familiarity in the functionality of Vision
• Experience in MS Office Suite, including Microsoft Project and Microsoft Teams preferred
• Proficiency in logistics management including connecting people and resources to the right place at the right time
• Successful track record in directing and providing leadership for design teams from business development presentations through developing strategy and de sign concepts
• Successful track record in success building, nurturing and fostering new client
  relationships
• Excellent presentation skills
• Strong leadership, organization, communication and relationship management skills
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to work closely with design leaders to promote an inter-disciplinary design
  approach and philosophy, and to facilitate its advancement across the firm

#LI-KT1

Base Salary Range: $115K to $140k annually – Denver Location only

The estimate displayed represents the general base salary range of candidates hired in the Denver location only. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.  

HKS offers a comprehensive total compensation & benefits package with health, dental, and vision care coverage, 401(k) plans, life & AD&D insurance, short/long term disability plans, paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, vacation), and much more for benefits-eligible employees. To learn more about our benefits visit this page.

Application Deadline: 04/01/2025

If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal.

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran