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HKS, Inc. · 9 hours ago

Office Design Leader

San Diego, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$138K/yr - $175K/yr

15+ years exp

HKS, Inc. is seeking an Office Design Leader to join their San Diego team. The role is responsible for advancing Design Excellence within the office, ensuring high-quality design across projects, and fostering collaboration among project teams.

Architecture

Growth Opportunities

H1B Sponsor Likely

Responsibilities

Accountable For

Design quality for every project in their office

Implementation of Design Excellence within their office, ensuring the Framework for Design Excellence is addressed in every project in their office

Collaboration with project teams by guiding, advising and mentoring other designers, developing design concepts and direction, and leading critiques

Collaboration with Regional and Practice Design Leadership as well as Chief Design Officer to ensure a constant focus on design quality

Partnership with Studio Design Leaders in their office to build a design culture

Has Authority To

See, evaluate, and provide feedback to all projects in the office

Challenge project vision, guiding principles, narratives and solutions to ensure design quality

Recommend to the Chief Design Officer, Practice Design Director and Regional Design Director board a project that should be redirected as it is not performing to the level that HKS requires

Participate in and influence selection and performance evaluation for designers within the office

Scope

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

Qualification

Accredited professional degreeLicensureCertificationSustainable design accreditationDesign-related softwareMS Office SuiteLogistics managementPresentation skillsLeadership skillsOrganizational skillsCommunication skillsProblem-solving skillsTeam collaboration

Required

Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, related degree for respective field, or relevant years in education or experience

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

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 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

Preferred

Licensure or certification in chosen field preferred

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

Benefits

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)

Company

HKS, Inc.

Glassdoor4.3

HKS is a global firm of architects, designers, planners and advisors who create places noted for their beauty and performance.

Founded in 1939

Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, ARE

1001-5000 employees

http://www.hksinc.com/

H1B Sponsorship

HKS, Inc. has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)

Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship

Represents job field similar to this job

Trends of Total Sponsorships

2025 (48)

2024 (29)

2023 (23)

2022 (30)

2021 (11)

2020 (15)