Design Director

Company Description

Founded in 1956, KZF Design is a multidisciplinary firm that specializes in thoughtful and award-winning designs. Our team includes architects, engineers, interior designers, and urban planners proficient in both public and private sectors. We have specific expertise in commercial, workplace, education, health and wellness, industrial, government, and justice projects. Based in downtown Cincinnati, KZF Design has a staff of over 75 professionals:

— including architects, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, and planners — works collaboratively to deliver landmark projects across the country and around the world. We truly are a one-stop shop for architectural and design needs.

We’ve built our reputation on thoughtful, award-winning designs and unparalleled technical proficiency in both the public and private sectors. Our expertise spans commercial, workplace, education, community infrastructure, healthcare, industrial, government, and public safety projects.

As one of the Midwest’s premier design firms, we foster a culture of continuous improvement and reinvention. This translates to our clients through strong relationships, creativity, and independent thinking — values that have made us a leader in value-based design for 65 years. For more information, visit www.kzf.com.

KZF Design offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and support for professional development.

We are looking for a creative, innovative design director to join our team.

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Leadership

• Cast an artistic vision to drive incredible and creative design work while working with architects, interior designers, engineers, landscape architects, urban planners, and technical personnel.
• Lead the design of key projects as primary lead designer responsible for design vision, quality, and implementation, while fostering opportunities for those within the team to learn and grow.
• Build a collaborative environment, encourage deep partnerships with multidisciplinary teams, set a high bar for design craft, and define and implement design strategy for all aspects of design execution.
• Participate and lead activities that further design quality and foster a design culture within the firm.
• Lead project design teams through strategy, creative direction, and collaboration.
• Mentor, coach and inspire design talent, empowering others and encouraging design growth while setting the standard for the overall depth and quality of design.
• Establish and reinforce design quality expectations throughout all project phases, maintaining consistent involvement as necessary for the duration of projects.
• Provide a productive and collaborative environment for all staff through a coherent, consistent, and transparent design process.
• Participate in recruitment activities to acquire additional talent at multiple levels.
• Collaborate with Market Leaders, Discipline Directors, and Project Managers in an ongoing dialogue to advance firm-wide design thinking.
  
  

Design Execution

• Provide design direction and mentorship, periodically reviewing projects to ensure that quality standards and design requirements are being met.
• Participate in project development strategies with Market Leaders and Discipline Directors, providing key thought leadership and support as required in the preparation of proposals.
• Participate in presentations, interviews, and project award submissions.
• Work closely with Project Managers and Market Leaders to execute projects at a consistently elevated level, meeting client goals and exceeding client expectations, within the designated budget and schedule.
• Create storyboards, visuals and mockups for clients and the design team to visualize the project.
• Pitch ideas and creative vision to clients and communicating outcomes/feedback to the design team.
• Keep abreast of current developments, trends, and practices within the design industry.
• Monitor the overall quality of the project design process, drawing production and delivery.
• Monitor the performance of project teams to ensure the firm’s standards and design goals are met.
• Complete work in a timely fashion, enabling full team collaboration to achieve project schedules and milestones.
• Use creative design skills to troubleshoot design, production, or construction issues.
• Using sound planning and design principles, create design solutions that are buildable, responsive to the intent of the client and consistent with local building codes and agency requirements.
  
  

Additional Qualifications

• Acknowledgement of design talent or design contribution by industry peers (such as design awards, published work, speaking engagements, involvement in schools of architecture) is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with the Design Excellence Program as operated through GSA’s Public Buildings Service (PBS).
• LEED accreditation.
  
  

Benefits

• 🏥 Medical & Dental Insurance
• 💼 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match
• 📅 Paid Time Off & Holidays
• 📚 Professional Development Support
• 🤝 Collaborative, Inclusive Work Culture
• 🏆 Recognition as one of Cincinnati’s Top 100 Places to Work since 2021