Studio Design Leader - Education
Company: HKS, Inc.
Location: Los Angeles
Posted on: May 28, 2023
Job Description:
Overview:
HKS is seeking a talented Studio Design Leader to join our
Education practice.
Responsible for advancing Design Excellence (as defined by the
Design Enterprise) in the respective studio. They must ensure and
participate in critical design dialog across all project teams
within the studio and evaluate the quality of studio work against
the strategic plan. The Studio Design Leader often leads or
participates in multiple projects concurrently. The role focuses on
growing leadership skills related to relationship-building,
collaboration and interpersonal skills while working on great
projects for exceptional clients. A recognized leader in the Higher
Education industry (Academic/Science) with a recent portfolio of
built work. Has established relationships with campus leadership in
California Higher Education institutions
Responsibilities:
Scope:
- Supports all project design leaders and project teams within
the studio and evaluates the quality of studio work against the
strategic plan, in collaboration with studio and office
leadership
- Collaborates in strategic planning and facilitates
communication for specific practice with other leaders, such as
vetting studio 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 studio by
focusing on the project process, development of the vision and
goals, service/delivery, work environment and project
documentation
- Collaborates during the initial marketing stages through
completion of construction, including programming client needs,
conceptual and schematic design, design development and
delivery
- 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
studio, 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 studio in collaboration with project
team leadership
- Monitors staffing, utilization and growth management across the
studio, including recommending adjustments where necessary
- Serves as a technical resource for the studio, 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
- Partners with Office Director as a liaison between the firm
leadership and staff, communicating firm and regional initiatives
and priorities
- 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
Cultural:
- Sets the tone for project quality and client experience across
the studio
- Communicates to the project team and studio the initiatives and
goals of the Design Enterprise and the creates and environment of
critical thinking and intellectual curiosity
- Helps nurture and guide leadership development of staff within
the studio in multiple roles
- Models and holds others accountable to the firm's cultural
values, including a commitment to quality, innovation, learning and
growth
- Oversees and actively invests in the professional development
of staff through mentoring, performance management and career
planning
- Partners with Studio Managers and Office Director on efforts in
attracting, training, retaining, growing and recognizing diverse
talent
- Facilitates team's self-evaluation to distill and distribute
project lessons learned within the firm
- Manages conflict effectively and encourages a healthy team
environment
- Represents the interests, concerns and problems within the
studio and ensures issues are addressed and resolved
expeditiously
- Fosters and maintains a collaborative professional working
relationship with teams, including promoting communication and
creating approachability
- Actively promotes and incorporates the firm's principles of
Design and Technical Excellence through the integration of
responsible and sustainable design practices with the art of
design
Financial:
- Collaborates in driving ongoing financial performance of office
by reviewing and developing quarterly fee projections, and
reviewing consultant fees and agreements as needed
- May collaborate with Office Directors to develop annual
budget/business plan
- Maintains awareness of project financial performance, including
invoicing and collections
- Collaborates to prepare collaborative work plan for projects,
including consultants
- Monitors budgets and profitability targets for respective
studio
- Collaborates as needed in terms of fee proposals and contracts,
including add service requests
- Collaborates to develop project job costs, budget and
associated schedule; maintains and regularly communicates with
project team
- Applies skills to minimize risks, maximize value and seeks
means to improve efficiencies and reduce costs
- Collaborates with other project leaders to deliver project on
defined budget requirements and maintains accountability to project
plan and planned utilization rate
Revenue or Opportunity Generation:
- Collaborates and strategizes with business development and
other firm leadership within the "ONE Firm" philosophy (e.g. large,
complex, program-driven projects with a significant intellectual
component) on project pursuits, marketing efforts and industry
events to maintain existing client relationships and establish new
business within respective studio
- Positions HKS for future design work through strong client
relationships, and up-front planning and consulting assignments
that reinforce HKS's thought leadership capabilities
- Secures appropriate architectural projects to meet the office's
overall business goals
- Collaborates with studio to ensure prompt and timely response
to proposal requests
- Leads or supports the negotiation of scope and fees on
contracts; monitors for changes in scope to initiate additional
service letters
- Engages and networks with local community to elevate HKS's role
in the business community on behalf of the practice area
- Creates and maintains visibility for HKS within the geography
being served to be considered for significant project
selections
- Understands and knows the nuances of their marketplace and
devises strategies to grow the practice
Qualifications:
- Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design
or relevant years in education or experience
- Licensure or certification in chosen field preferred
- 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 of the studio,
including a deep higher education portfolio in academic and science
project work
- Demonstrated experience in programming complex projects
preferred
- Sustainable design accreditation preferred
- Familiarity in the capability and benefits of related software
preferred
- Familiarity in the functionality of Vision
- Experience in MS Office Suite, including Microsoft Project and
Microsoft Teams preferred
- 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
- Demonstrated thought leadership preferred (speaking
engagements, white papers, articles)
- 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
#LI-KT1
Base Salary Range: $117.8K-$179.7k annually - Los Angeles and San
Diego locations only
The estimate displayed represents the general base salary range of
candidates hired in Los Angeles and San Diego only. Factors that
may be used to determine your actual salary may include internal
equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
HKS offers a comprehensive total compensation & benefits package
with 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), and much more for
benefits-eligible employees. To learn more about our benefits visit
this page.
If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via
the Internal Careers Portal.
HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran
Keywords: HKS, Inc., Los Angeles , Studio Design Leader - Education, Education / Teaching , Los Angeles, California
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