Regional Design Director - ROAM

Overview:

HKS Dallas is seeking a talented Regional Design Director to join our team.
Responsible for advancing Design Excellence (as defined by the Design Enterprise) to enhance the culture for design excellence, elevate the quality of design, and achieve recognition for clients across the region. They must ensure critical design dialog across all studios within a designated region. They support all Studio Design Leaders and project teams within the designated region and evaluate the quality of studio work against the strategic plan.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with studio, office and regional leadership to further the strategic goals of the firm, sector and region
• Acts as a key liaison between practice-driven strategy and regional execution plan
• Demonstrates an innovative and collaborative approach to regional strategy consistent with sector and practice direction and priorities
• Ensures studio teams develop measures that can be evaluated during all stages of the project for the Design Enterprise standards of integration, innovation, and impact
• Guides, advises, and mentors other designers on project work through all phases, developing design direction and leading critiques as the teams develop the vision and goals and measures for project success
• Collaborates on the initial marketing stages throughout completion of construction and installation, including programming client needs, conceptual and schematic design, design development and management of schedules and budgets
• Develops overall design concepts and design presentation strategies in collaboration with project team
• Works directly with the client, team members and a wide range of consultants and collaborators both internal and external throughout the life of respective projects
• Assists in managing client expectations, team communication and consultant coordination
• Collaborates with other leaders across the firm to enhance the culture for design excellence, elevate the quality of design and achieve recognition for clients and the firm
• Works closely with Design Enterprise and Office Directors across the firm to promote an inter-disciplinary design approach and philosophy and facilitate its advancement in respective offices and across the firm
• Engages with project managers, technical and conceptual teams, and consultants to evaluate and improve the quality of respective work in projects within the region
• Partners with studio and office leaders as a liaison between the firm leadership and staff, communicating firm and regional initiatives and priorities
• Acts as one of the primary interfaces with clients as needed, often in conjunction with the Studio Design Leaders, Studio Practice Leaders and/or Studio Practice Managers
• Operates with “ONE Firm” mindset, minimizes the sector and operational variables between offices in the region
• Ensures the integration of 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 20+ years of experience, including experience in a leadership role
• 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 design 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 provide critical design review to design teams, communicating design ideas and direction quickly
• Ability to work closely with design leaders to promote an inter-disciplinary design approach and philosophy, and to facilitate its advancement across the firm
• Ability to manage team with diplomatic and collaborative leadership style which puts value on relationships and collaboration, both internal and external
• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writing
• Ability to problem solve and apply innovative solutions
• Ability to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment
• Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality
• Travel will be required.

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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