Architect - Director of Hospitality

LaBella Associates•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

We are currently hiring a Managing Director of Hospitality and Branded Environments within our Architectural Studio, for projects located in various regions of the country. A Managing Director (MD) of Hospitality and Branded Environments is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic growth, creative vision, and operational success of the firm’s hospitality and branded environments studio. Leaders in this role bridge the gap between high-level business development and design execution, ensuring that projects align with brand identity, luxury standards, and financial performance targets. The role includes collaborating with clients, managing design and technical teams, and ensuring projects meet budget and timeline requirements while maintaining high aesthetic and functional standards to ensure projects align with brand identity, guest experience goals, and industry trends. Duties: Key roles and responsibilities include: 1. Strategic Leadership and Business Development Market Expansion: Develop and execute business plans to grow the hospitality practice portfolio, identifying new sectors and opportunities for expansion. Business Development & Relationship Management: Actively identify new business opportunities, cultivate relationships with elite hotel brands and developers, and lead project pursuits and interviews to secure new business opportunities. Nurture strong relationships with hotel brands, operators, owners, and developers to secure repeat business. Client Relationship Management: Act as the primary point of contact for clients, owners, and operators, navigating complex stakeholder environments. Thought Leadership: Act as a public speaker and brand ambassador, promoting the firm’s expertise at industry events and conferences. Pursuits and Proposals: Lead RFP responses, presentations, and fee negotiations to secure projects. 2. Creative and Brand Direction Design Quality Assurance: Collaborate with Firm Design leadership to oversee the creative vision and design output for hospitality projects, ensuring a high standard of excellence from concept to completion. Brand Alignment: Guide the development of unique "branded environments" that combine interior design and architecture to create immersive guest experiences. Work closely with clients to translate their brand identity, culture, and operational requirements into physical environments. Ensure that projects, whether new developments or renovations, reflect the client’s guest-centric philosophy and brand identity. Technical Knowledge: Ensure designs comply with relevant building systems, codes, and operational standards (e.g., FF&E specifications, ADA requirements). 3. Operational and Financial Management Profitability Management: Drive the studio's financial performance, including setting project fees, managing budgets, and monitoring profitability. Process Implementation: Establish operational processes to make the studio effective, ensuring adherence to quality standards and timelines. Risk Assessment: Take an objective and rigorous approach to assessing project risk, including contractual and technical liabilities. 4. Team Leadership and Mentorship Mentorship: Provide guidance to staff, fostering a culture of innovation, creative inspiration, and career development. Resource Management: Determine staffing needs, oversee project team compositions, and direct the work of architects and designers to drive maximum performance. 5. Project Delivery Support High-Level Advisory: Partner with developers, operators, and consultants in the early stages of projects to evaluate planning and design concepts. Technical Oversight: Ensure that design concepts are translated into feasible, high-quality built products that meet all code, sustainability, and operational requirements.

Requirements

12+ years of progressive experience in hospitality design, luxury hotel development, or high-end branded environments.
Leadership Experience: Proven track record of leading large-scale projects and teams, 12+ years of total experience, requiring licensure (Architect or Interior Designer).
Skills: Exceptional communication, negotiation, and strategic thinking abilities.
Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of current trends in hospitality, branded environments, and the competitive luxury market.

Responsibilities

Market Expansion: Develop and execute business plans to grow the hospitality practice portfolio, identifying new sectors and opportunities for expansion.
Business Development & Relationship Management: Actively identify new business opportunities, cultivate relationships with elite hotel brands and developers, and lead project pursuits and interviews to secure new business opportunities. Nurture strong relationships with hotel brands, operators, owners, and developers to secure repeat business.
Client Relationship Management: Act as the primary point of contact for clients, owners, and operators, navigating complex stakeholder environments.
Thought Leadership: Act as a public speaker and brand ambassador, promoting the firm’s expertise at industry events and conferences.
Pursuits and Proposals: Lead RFP responses, presentations, and fee negotiations to secure projects.
Design Quality Assurance: Collaborate with Firm Design leadership to oversee the creative vision and design output for hospitality projects, ensuring a high standard of excellence from concept to completion.
Brand Alignment: Guide the development of unique "branded environments" that combine interior design and architecture to create immersive guest experiences. Work closely with clients to translate their brand identity, culture, and operational requirements into physical environments. Ensure that projects, whether new developments or renovations, reflect the client’s guest-centric philosophy and brand identity.
Technical Knowledge: Ensure designs comply with relevant building systems, codes, and operational standards (e.g., FF&E specifications, ADA requirements).
Profitability Management: Drive the studio's financial performance, including setting project fees, managing budgets, and monitoring profitability.
Process Implementation: Establish operational processes to make the studio effective, ensuring adherence to quality standards and timelines.
Risk Assessment: Take an objective and rigorous approach to assessing project risk, including contractual and technical liabilities.
Mentorship: Provide guidance to staff, fostering a culture of innovation, creative inspiration, and career development.
Resource Management: Determine staffing needs, oversee project team compositions, and direct the work of architects and designers to drive maximum performance.
High-Level Advisory: Partner with developers, operators, and consultants in the early stages of projects to evaluate planning and design concepts.
Technical Oversight: Ensure that design concepts are translated into feasible, high-quality built products that meet all code, sustainability, and operational requirements.