Director of Residential Design

Gardner/Fox Associates (GFA) is an established, award-winning design-build firm serving the Main Line, the Greater Philadelphia region, and beyond. Known for high-end residential renovations, custom homes, and thoughtful design solutions, GFA delivers a fully integrated process that combines design excellence with construction execution.

We are currently seeking a senior-level professional to join our leadership team as Director of Residential Design. This is a rare opportunity to step into a highly visible and impactful role within a respected firm—working with discerning residential clients while leading a talented internal design department.

The current Director of Residential Design is planning to retire in approximately two years, creating a unique opportunity for a qualified candidate to transition into a long-term leadership position and help shape the future of our residential practice.

Position Overview

The Director of Residential Design is responsible for guiding residential clients from initial engagement through schematic design, budgeting, bid presentation, and ultimately securing signed construction contracts. This role requires a unique combination of design talent, strong client relationship skills, business development instincts, and the ability to lead projects toward successful execution.

The successful candidate will oversee the residential design department—including Interior Design and Glenbrook Cabinetry—while coordinating closely with drafting and construction teams to ensure projects are thoughtfully designed, clearly scoped, and financially viable.

Key Responsibilities

• Follow up on residential sales opportunities and lead early client engagement
• Conduct initial client meetings and facilitate discovery and goal-setting discussions
• Develop and present design proposals and design agreements
• Lead initial design meetings and establish project direction and scope
• Prepare conceptual sketch plans and schematic layouts
• Coordinate the handoff of initial plans to drafting staff for detailed drawing development
• Lead ongoing client meetings throughout schematic design and refinement
• Prepare schematic-level construction budgets aligned with design intent and feasibility
• Collaborate closely with internal construction teams to validate scope and cost assumptions
• Present construction bids, negotiate contracts, and secure signed construction agreements
• Serve as the primary design leader and client-facing representative during early project phases
• Oversee and mentor the residential design department, including:
• Interior Design staff
• Glenbrook Cabinetry team
• Coordination with drafting personnel and workflows
• Maintain design quality standards, project documentation expectations, and a consistent client experience
• Collaborate with firm leadership on business development, design strategy, and long-term growth initiatives

Qualifications

• 10 years of high-end residential design experience (renovations and/or custom homes preferred)
• Proven ability to manage client relationships from concept through signed construction contract
• Strong schematic design capability and comfort producing conceptual sketch plans
• Experience preparing early-stage construction budgets and understanding real-world construction costs
• Demonstrated success presenting proposals, bids, and negotiating contracts
• Strong leadership experience managing and mentoring design staff
• Deep understanding of residential construction and design-build processes
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, particularly with high-end residential clientele
• Degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, or a related field preferred

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Performance-based bonus potential
• Comprehensive benefits package (health insurance, PTO, holidays, and related benefits)
• Long-term growth opportunity within an established and respected firm
• Clear leadership succession pathway as the current Director transitions into retirement

Why Gardner/Fox?

At Gardner/Fox Associates, we believe great residential design is built on trust, communication, and a truly integrated process. Our design-build structure allows our teams to guide clients from vision through construction with clarity, accountability, and craftsmanship.

This position offers the opportunity to lead meaningful, high-quality residential projects while shaping the future of a respected design department within a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and portfolio (PDF or link), along with a brief introduction outlining your experience in high-end residential design and client leadership.