Studio Design Leader - Commercial/Mixed-Use

Overview

Overview:

Responsible for advancing Design Excellence (as defined by the Design Enterprise) in the respective studio. They must ensure and participate in critical design dialog across all project teams within the studio and evaluate the quality of studio work against the strategic plan.

The Studio Design Leader often leads or participates in multiple projects concurrently. The role focuses on growing 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 studio and evaluates the quality of studio work against the strategic plan, in collaboration with studio and office leadership
• Collaborates in strategic planning and facilitates communication for specific practice with other leaders, such as vetting studio 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 studio by focusing on the project process, development of the vision and goals, service/delivery, work environment and project documentation
• Collaborates during the initial marketing stages through completion of construction, including programming client needs, conceptual and schematic design, design development and delivery
• 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 studio, 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 studio in collaboration with project team leadership
• May monitor staffing, utilization and growth management across the studio, including recommending adjustments where necessary
• Serves as a technical resource for the studio, 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
• Partners with Office Director as a liaison between the firm leadership and staff, communicating firm and regional initiatives and priorities
• 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