Senior Façade Designer

Overview:

HKS is seeking a Sr. Façade Designer to join our team.
A combined design leader and project manager responsible for envisioning, designing, and delivering successful leading-edge façade and enclosure systems. Possesses the ability to synthesize design, performance, and engineering requirements of façade systems into cohesive innovative systems solutions. Possesses strong leadership and communications skills, a flexible attitude, ability to solve problems creatively and ability to foster and manage effective client relationships. Responsible for high-impact decisions across multiple projects. Coordinates façade design and facade engineering talent across the practice. Acts as a subject matter expert for façade design and performance solutions. Creative and ready to surmount conventional thinking.

Responsibilities:

Project:

• Acts as the lead façade designer and primary client relationship owner
• Leads the façade and enclosure design of multiple projects by developing the conceptual vision, systems design, performance, and detailing
• Leads the façade design effort and manages the execution and delivery of implementation documents through all phases of multiple projects
• Exercises skills of persuasion and negotiation on critical issues
• Develops novel, synthetic, and trans-disciplinary façade design concepts and expands, augments, and emboldens the concepts of others
• Oversees coordination of HKS LINE Façade Studio talent with client project teams both internally and externally
• Integrates HKS LINE Façade Studio expertise and innovation into all projects, while actively seeking opportunities to incorporate sustainable design solutions
• Manages the technical resolution and coordination of façade and enclosure systems
• Manages and oversees the LINE Façade Studio project team collaboration with other internal disciplines and external consultants to establish and document design solutions that can be technically implemented with the constraints of the project goals, budgets, schedule, and within local ordinances and codes
• Integrates façade engineering requirements from LINE Façade Engineering team members
• Reviews design work and implementation documents for accuracy and completeness
• Establishes project performance design criteria for enclosure systems
• Oversees the development of and may modify and/or review graphic presentations, 3D rendering and implementation documents to incorporate the façade design intent
• Leads client presentations as needed
• Monitors project to anticipate potential risks and collaborates with the PIC, legal team, and client to resolve issues.
• Oversees product, materials, or systems research and evaluation to direct team members on appropriate selections
• Works with respective teams to manage client expectations, team communication, and consultant coordination
• Delegates and holds LINE Façade Studio project teams accountable for code analysis, design standards, detailing, constructability, performance analysis, and deliverables to HKS standards, best practices, and quality expectations
• May participate site or factory inspection, audit, or test oversite visits
• Delegates and holds LINE Façade Studio project teams accountable for code analysis, design standards, detailing, constructability, performance analysis, and deliverables to HKS standards, best practices, and quality expectations
• May participate site or factory inspection, audit, or test oversite visits

Cultural:

• Models and holds others accountable to the firm’s cultural values, including a commitment to quality, innovation, learning and growth
• Facilitates the team’s self-evaluation to distill and distribute lessons learned within the firm
• Actively invests in the professional development of staff through mentoring, motivating, performance management and career planning
• Develops, recognizes, recruits and grows diverse talent
• Manages conflict effectively and encourages a healthy team environment
• Fosters and maintains a collaborative professional working relationship with the project team, including promoting communication
• Actively promotes and incorporates the firm’s principles of ‘design excellence’ through the integration of responsible and sustainable design practice with the art of design, including understanding mindful materials evaluation and selection

Financial:

• Manages project financial performance, including invoicing and collections
• Prepares collaborative work plan for projects.
• Determines terms and prepares fee proposals and contracts, coordinating with PIC, legal and other project team leaders, including add service requests
• Develops, maintains, and regularly communicates with project team on project job costs, budget and associated schedule to project resources (including managing and reviewing team’s timesheets for accuracy)
• Builds, updates and executes project schedule assuring deliverables are completed on time and aligned with the budgeted labor; recalibrates as necessary
• Applies skills to minimize risks, maximize value and seeks means to improve efficiencies and reduce costs
• Understands contract and recognizes additional services needed
• Delivers project on defined budget requirements and maintains accountability to project plan and planned utilization rate

Revenue or Opportunity Generation:

• Takes a lead role in new business development and marketing strategies, including looking for opportunities for repeat work with clients
• Collaborates and strategizes with Business Development and other leadership on project pursuits, marketing efforts and industry events to maintain existing client relationships and establish new business
• Negotiates scope and fees on contracts; monitors for changes in scope to initiate additional service letters
• Participates in marketing interviews
• Identifies, maintains and cultivates essential relationships

Qualifications:

• Accredited Professional degree in Architecture
• Architectural Registration required
• Typically 10+ years of experience
• Sustainable design accreditation preferred
• Firsthand sustained experience in all phases of architectural design and construction
• Proficiency in Revit preferred
• Awareness of Rhino, Sketchup, or other 3d modelling software
• Awareness of scripting and parametric modelling software such as Grasshopper, Ladybug, Dynamo, Python C# preferred
• Awareness of thermal analysis software such as LBNL Window, LBNL Therm, LBNL Optics, WUFI, WUFI Mould Index VTT preferred.
• Awareness of optical, lighting, and daylighting design software such as RADIANCE, Climate Studio, EVALGLARE, Acelerad, Ladybug Tools, ALFA, LARK preferred
• Awareness of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign graphic software preferred
• Awareness of energy modeling tools such as Energy Plus, Design Builder, IES VE preferred
• Awareness of structural analysis software such as Strand, Solidworks, SJ Mepla, Ansys Mech preferred
• Familiarity in the functionality of Vision
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite
• Advanced knowledge of synthesizing trans-disciplinary design drivers for facades
• Advanced knowledge of enclosure systems and QA/QC process
• Advanced knowledge of building codes, design standards, constructability and market procurement
• Successful track record with managing a team and performing duties in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in logistics management including connecting people and resources to the right place at the right time
• Strong presentation skills
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time
• 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 may be required.   

The information contained in this job description is intended to serve as a minimum requirement and guideline — not as a guarantee — for promotion to this level. Some additional criteria, qualifications or expectations may be required.

Base Salary Range: $120k - $170k annually – Los Angles, San Diego, San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Denver and Washington DC locations 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: 01/01/2025

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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