Lead Designer

The LeadDesigner will be an advocate for design excellencewithin the office through an integrated and collaborative approach.The Design Leader consistently exhibits and demonstrates acommitment to AECOM's core values –Collaboration, Creativity, Community, Integrity and theEnvironment.

Working with us, youwill:

• Manages design team membersduring the implementation of design to ensure clarity and qualityof concept is maintained through detaillevel.
• Manages client interaction and decisionmaking relative to design from a complete Basis of Design, or UserRequirements Brief
• Create and develop planningand design concepts for university, institutional and/or healthcarefacilities, such as Earth and Life Science & EngineeringFacilities, STEM Education (Science and Engineering) Facilities,Professional Schools (Business, Law), General Classroom Facilities,and Student Life Facilities (Residential, Dining,Recreation).
• Present design solutions to clientrepresentatives and/or design reviewcommittees.
• Supervise the development ofrenderings and presentation drawings for client presentations andinternal meetings.
• Mentor, provide oversight,and monitor the design work of others to ensure integrated andcohesive designs.
• Will report to theArchitectural Studio Leadership and will work closely with theArchitectural Discipline Leader, Office Director, Marketing andSenior Designers of the firm to market our services in the variouspractices

Anideal candidate has:

• Must havethorough knowledge of applicable International buildingcodes.
• Demonstrated effectiveness andcommitment to working in a team-based setting, delivering highclient service and technicalcompetence.
• Advanced graphic and verbalpresentation skills
• Proficiency with ComputerModeling (rhino, Revit) AutoCAD, SketchUp, AR/VR presentationtechniques Photoshop, Illustrator andPowerPoint.
• Strong business acumen and criticalthinking skills in the pursuit of work
• Strongcommunication skills and the ability to earn the respect ofclients, team members, direct reports and others external to thefirm
• Has the ability to lead an integrateddesign process including architects, interior designers, engineers,planners and site designers.
• Demonstratedcoaching and mentoring skills to develop future designtalent

Qualifications

• Registrationas a RIBA or equivalent licensed architect is required; LEED AP ispreferred.
• Minimum 15-20 years'experience as primary or secondary lead architectural designer oninstitutional building types.
• Experience ineducation projects is required.

1. DesignExpertise

• CreativeVision: Strong ability to conceptualize and developoriginal, innovative design solutions that align with theclient's needs, brand identity, and projectgoals.
• Proficiency in DesignTools: Mastery of design software such as AdobeCreative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Sketch, Figma,AutoCAD, or other relevant design programs. Familiarity with 3Dmodeling software (e.g., Rhino, Blender, 3ds Max) may be requiredfor specificindustries.
• User-CenteredDesign: Deep understanding of user-centered designprinciples, focusing on creating designs that provide the best userexperience (UX). This includes wireframing, prototyping, and usertesting.
• VisualDesign: Expertise in typography, color theory,layout, and composition. Ability to create visually appealingdesigns that communicateeffectively.
• Branding: Strong knowledge of branding principles, including the ability tocreate or evolve brand identities, design marketing materials, andensure consistency across all designoutputs.

2. Leadershipand TeamManagement

• TeamLeadership: Leading and mentoring a team ofdesigners, offering guidance and support to ensure quality work,and helping to develop the team's skills and knowledge.Ensuring all team members are aligned with projectgoals.
• Collaboration withStakeholders: Collaborating with other departments(marketing, product, engineering, etc.) and external clients toensure designs meet business objectives, user needs, and technicalrequirements.
• ResourceManagement: Allocating and managing resourceseffectively within the design team, including time, talent, andbudgets. Ensuring that projects stay on schedule and withinscope.
• ConflictResolution: Handling any team or project-relatedconflicts, ensuring smooth communication and problem-solvingbetween team members, clients, andstakeholders.

3.ProjectManagement

• ProjectPlanning and Coordination: Overseeing the end-to-endprocess of design projects, from the initial concept to finaldelivery. Creating project timelines, defining milestones, andmanaging deadlines.
• ScopeManagement: Ensuring that the project stays withinscope by managing client expectations and balancing design needswith project constraints (e.g., time, budget,resources).
• QualityAssurance: Reviewing and approving final designoutputs to ensure they meet high standards and are delivered ontime. Providing constructive feedback to team members and makingrevisions as necessary.

4.TechnicalSkills

• DesignSystems: Knowledge of creating and maintainingdesign systems, including style guides, UI kits, and componentlibraries, to ensure consistency across all designprojects.
• Web & MobileDesign: Expertise in designing for digitalplatforms, with a focus on responsive design and mobile-firstprinciples. Familiarity with HTML, CSS, and front-end developmentpractices is an addedadvantage.
• 3D and PhysicalProduct Design (if applicable): For roles inarchitecture, industrial design, or product design, proficiency inCAD software and understanding of prototyping and manufacturingprocesses.
• Motion Graphics& Animation (if applicable): Experience indesigning motion graphics or animations for digital media,advertising, or web.

5.Problem-Solving andInnovation

• DesignThinking: Strong understanding of design thinkingprinciples, focusing on solving complex problems by understandinguser needs and iterating on designsolutions.
• Innovation andTrends: Ability to stay on top of current designtrends, new technologies, and emerging design practices. Bringingfresh ideas and creative solutions toprojects.
• CriticalThinking: Ability to assess complex designchallenges, prioritize features, and make informed decisions aboutdesign solutions that align with both user needs and businessobjectives.

6.Communication andCollaboration

• ClientCommunication: Serving as the main point of contactfor clients, presenting design concepts, and incorporating clientfeedback into the design process. Ability to manage and refineclient expectations while maintaining a professionalrelationship.
• InternalCollaboration: Working closely with otherdepartments (e.g., marketing, engineering, product management) toensure that designs are aligned with project goals and technicalrequirements.
• Presentations: Preparing and delivering presentations of design concepts and finalwork to both internal teams and external clients, explaining designdecisions, rationale, andprocess.
• FeedbackManagement: Collecting and integrating feedback fromvarious stakeholders while ensuring that the final design alignswith the vision and goals of theproject.

7. BusinessAcumen

• UnderstandingClient Needs: Translating business objectives intodesign solutions, ensuring that the final product addresses theclient's needs andgoals.
• Budget and ResourceManagement: Managing the budget for design projects,balancing resources, and ensuring that costs are kept within theallocated budget without compromisingquality.
• MarketAwareness: Keeping up with market trends andcompetitor designs to inform decisions and ensure that designs arecompetitive and relevant in theindustry.

8.EducationalBackground

• Bachelor'sDegree: A Bachelor'sdegree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design,Architecture, Product Design, Fine Arts, or a relatedfield.
• Advanced Degree(optional): A Master'sdegree or further specialization may be beneficialfor those looking to advance into more senior design leadershippositions.
• Certifications(optional): Certification in design software ormethodologies, such as Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) or UX Designcertification, can be beneficial.