What are the responsibilities and job description for the Architectural Design Director position at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association?
Forest Lawn is seeking an accomplished and dynamic Architectural Design Director to oversee and direct the efforts of our internal design teams. The ideal candidate is a creative and visionary leader with a proven track record of managing and delivering large-scale architectural design projects from concept to completion. This role will oversee and direct the efforts of the architectural design teams responsible for the design of cemetery and memorial park projects. They will research, design, plan and detail functional and artistic solutions for the development and beautification of Forest Lawn properties. The Design Director will establish architectural workflows that meet and exceed industry standards.
- Ensure Architectural team workflows adhere to industry best practices that promote project completion on time and on budget.
- Present cemetery development designs to the CEO and other critical stakeholders.
- Efficiently shepherd all projects through the plan check process.
- Incorporate constructability initiatives into our project designs.
- Integrate art, architecture, and natural landscapes into design plans, incorporating existing and new features of the terrain, topography, and vistas to enhance the visitor experience across Forest Lawn memorial parks.
- Incorporate existing and new artwork into designs, while keeping in mind the style, composition, and emotional impact of sculpture, mosaic, stained glass, and other types of art.
- Create, implement, and enforce in-house design standards and QA/QC processes to ensure the quality and accuracy of all project documentation, including schematic designs and construction documents.
- Direct, lead, mentor, and manage employees by planning, assigning and reviewing work. Recognize and reward strong performance, address performance issues, and resolve employee concerns.
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performance design culture.
- Lead recruitment and hiring for design staff.
- Direct and coordinate both in-house staff and outside consultants in preparing presentation drawings, construction documents, specifications, cost estimates and schedules.
- Ensure effective use of CAD, 3D modeling, Revit, word processing, spreadsheets, and scheduling software.
- Oversee project schedules, ensuring timely completion in alignment with Forest Lawn aesthetics, design intent, and construction standards.
- Lead master planning, new construction, and major renovation projects across all Forest Lawn properties and facilities, including both cemetery properties as well as company support facilities.
- Oversee permitting process by coordinating responses and modifications required by building departments or other agencies.
- Direct bidding and contract award processes, including responses to RFIs and issuance of addenda.
- Conduct periodic on-site observations to verify construction aligns with design intent, specifications, and Forest Lawn standards.
- Consult with client individuals and departments to determine functional, spatial, and other programmatic requirements of new structures or renovations and prepare information regarding design, specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, and construction time.
- Plan layout of project and integrate engineering elements into a unified design for review and approval.
- Present design concepts, study proposed plans and alternatives and adapt based on leadership input.
- Oversee the selection, purchase, delivery, inspection and installation of statuary, marble, mosaics, stained glass, etc. on designated projects.
- Develop expertise in specifying, detailing, inspecting, and installing materials such as marble, travertine, and granite.
- Act as the primary liaison with stone suppliers, vendors, and fabricators on designated projects.
- Review stone selection/orders prior to confirmation to ensure they are in line with design intent.
- Act as the primary liaison with our US Customs broker on stone/other shipments from Italy, including collection and distribution of required shipping/Customs information from freight forwarders to US-based customs broker. Coordinate local delivery after shipment arrives in Port.
- Oversee the monitoring of existing structures, site features, statuary, and landscaping at all Forest Lawn locations, recommending improvements as appropriate.
- Provide oversight and guidance for landscape design development.
- Partner with Products & Services to design private gardens, statuary, distinguished memorials, inscriptions, benches, vases, plaques, and other embellishments, including cost estimates.
- Partner with Bronze & Marble and Product & Services to manage stone product inventories, including providing drawings, bidding, ordering, shipping and delivery to restock inventory.
- Stay current on local, state, and federal building codes, as well as cemetery-specific regulations.
- Remain informed about construction materials, methods, and best practices.
- Participate in the preparation of annual and 5-year budgets as requested.
- Professional degree in architecture or related design field (Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture, or equivalent) required. Master of Architecture degree preferred.
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in design & design management within an architectural office.
- Current architectural license for state of California required.
Valid CA driver’s license including state required levels of active auto insurance.- Construction site experience is preferred.
- Experience with master planning and large-scale institutional, cultural, or landscape-integrated projects required.
- Previous design experience in cemetery, mortuary and office development preferred.
- Proven track record of managing and delivering large-scale architectural design projects from concept to completion.
- Proven leadership experience in directing design teams and managing consultants.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Proven ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects, schedules, and budgets.
- Advanced knowledge of CAD, Revit and other 3-D modeling and architectural software.
- In-depth knowledge of design principles and their application in the real world.
- In-depth knowledge of construction codes and regulations including ADA and Title 24 requirements.
- In-depth knowledge of construction materials, methods, and practices.
- Provide ability and in-depth knowledge and experience in organization and executed quality construction drawings and specifications.
- Willingness to gain an understanding of artificial intelligence and its impact of future implementation into architectural design and documentation.
- Ability to gain in-depth knowledge of the design principles and parameters unique to cemetery project design.
Competitive Benefits
Forest Lawn takes pride in offering an excellent benefits package to our employees, which taken as a whole, leads our industry and is competitive with the benefits in just about any other industry.
Click here to learn more about our benefit offerings.
Drug Testing Policy
Prior to beginning employment, all job applicants who receive a job offer will be required to voluntarily submit to a drug screening test conducted by a laboratory designated by Forest Lawn. The drug screening method is a hair collection test that will detect the use of illegal drugs within the past 90 days. A positive drug test may result in the withdrawal of the job offer.
E-Verify Statement
Forest Lawn has registered to participate in the federal government's E-Verify program. With E-Verify we are able to confirm the employment authorization of all newly hired employees through an electronic database maintained by the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. With respect to new hires, the E-Verify process is completed in conjunction with a new hire's completion of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification upon commencement of employment. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates. For up-to-date information on E-Verify, go to https://www.e-verify.gov/employees/e-verify-overview.
Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
Forest Lawn will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
Forest Lawn has always attracted unique and exceptional individuals; those who aren’t satisfied with simply building a career, but want to go home at the end of the day knowing they’ve made a profound and positive difference in people’s lives.