Commercial Design Lead

As a Commercial Design Lead, the ideal candidate will have a proven track record of establishing and driving the creative vision for projects while leading and mentoring multidisciplinary design teams. This individual will bring a strong understanding of innovative design principles balanced with pragmatic technical knowledge, and a demonstrated ability to deliver thoughtful, high-quality solutions that align with the needs of project stakeholders. The role will be responsible for elevating design outcomes and exceeding client expectations by guiding the team toward meaningful, intentional solutions. Ultimately, the Commercial Design Lead will help create design strategies that deliver value, support project goals, and achieve successful outcomes for clients.

Essential Functions:

Firm-wide:

• Foster relationships with new clients, as well as generating repeat business with previous clients
• Report to principal-in-charge any observations made in the marketplace that may represent areas for improvement or opportunities for new strategic initiatives by Hoefer Welker

Market Sector:

• Conduct architectural studies, develop design concepts and design criteria, prepare reports, calculations, and detailed design
• Actively collaborate with and coordinate the services of consultants and knowledge resources so that project deliverables are integrated and support the design concept and performance goals of the project
• Focus on client satisfaction and creating design solutions
• Seek creative and innovative solutions to assigned tasks and develop appropriate research and documentation to support these solutions
• Maintain an awareness of the scope, schedule, budget, and status of all assigned projects and assist in determining probable cost
• Develop and maintain client confidence in HW staff and operations by maintaining a high level of professionalism, accountability, and performance
• Find and pursue opportunities for HW to get short-listed for projects
• Continuously cultivate and maintain positive relationships with sources for lead generation (A/Es, consultants, Real Estate execs, trade associations, etc.) and coordinate the office-wide cultivation of ally relationships
• Stay in frequent contact with new, existing, and past clients to uncover opportunities, acts as a sounding board with respect to our performance and as a lead generation activity.
• Serves as a constant vocal advocate for the client and external perspectives in the execution of our business
• Direct responsibility for certain clients and project opportunities; assists other members of the HW team in keeping commitments with the clients/projects

Business Development:

• Assist in gathering and implementing the appropriate information for proposals
• Generate, distribute, and discuss post-proposal debriefs
• Commercial subject matter expert in the building type science, program, and budget, as well as consultant teaming, scope of services, and fees
• Maintain prospect information/tracking data and provide input to other company pipeline and conversion systems

Education and Experience:

Fifteen (15) or more years of experience, licensure preferred but not required, professional degree in architecture from an accredited program. Ideal candidate has experience as a Senior Designer with business development and client management success within the architectural industry. 

Certifications/Licenses/Registrations:

Architectural registration required with current license, NCARB registration preferred. LEED Green Associate Accreditation desired.  Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license and willingness to use insured personal vehicle in the courses of employment. 

Required Skills/Abilities:

Microsoft Office knowledge required.  Deltek Vantagepoint knowledge preferred. Must have excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills, ability to work effectively in a team atmosphere, meet deadlines, and have knowledge of design, trends, and construction methodology. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be detail and goal oriented and able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong understanding of the business of design, including financial metrics, fee structures, and project delivery models.
• Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to influence internal teams and external clients.
• Understanding of market trends, knowledge of current leaders and peers within the design community
• Proven skills in engaging both current and new clients that are both introduced through firm wide connections and individual strategic pursuits
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and possess strong writing skills to represent the firm professionally externally as well as internally
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to confidently and decisively take action
• Ability to travel to travel nationally for client meetings, business development, and team engagement
• Design-build and sustainability experience is preferred

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer in an office setting.
• Regularly required to talk and hear.
• Frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to travel to travel nationally for client meetings, business development, and team engagement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be detail oriented and able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled