Design Director

Webcor•San Diego, CA

1d•$215,000 - $245,000

About The Position

The Design Director provides leadership and oversight for design planning, coordination, and execution throughout the project lifecycle. Serving as the primary liaison among owners, architects, consultants, and construction teams, the role ensures design solutions align with project objectives, budget, schedule, quality standards, and constructability requirements. The Design Director leads multidisciplinary collaboration, manages design consultants, drives design quality and technical excellence, and supports project delivery from concept through construction. The role champions the owner's vision while balancing cost, risk, and operational objectives. The position leads design documentation and technical execution across project phases, from Schematic Design and Design Development through Construction Documents and Construction Administration. It coordinates permitting, digital design integration, design quality control, consultant selection and procurement, and design input for preconstruction, bidding, procurement, and buyout. The Design Director also supports client relationships and business development and provides leadership and guidance to project teams.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
Licensed Architect with typically 12 years of industry experience as a technical architect.
Proven experience in technical design development and managing design consultants and effective design documentation, including Architectural, Structural, MEP/HVAC, and other relevant trades.
Advanced systems-thinking capability to lead multidisciplinary teams through complex design challenges and develop solutions that optimize project outcomes, constructability, cost, schedule, and risk.
Working knowledge of constructability issues and the overall review process.
Ability to build alignment across design, construction, client, and consultant teams and exercise objective leadership and independent professional judgment.
Working knowledge of code requirements and their appropriate application.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Bluebeam, AutoCAD, and Revit.
Ability to lead, develop, and mentor teams and foster accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and high performance.
Exceptional leadership, communication, interpersonal, influencing, presentation, and public speaking skills.
Sound judgment and decision-making skills, including the ability to evaluate risks, opportunities, and competing priorities.
Strong client service and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to build trust, navigate challenges, resolve conflicts, and drive alignment.
Ability to communicate complex technical, strategic, and business concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
Proactive, solutions-oriented approach; integrity, accountability, and resilience in managing change, ambiguity, and competing priorities.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of 3D BIM modeling.
Prior experience managing construction projects.
DBIA Certification is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead coordination with the Owner's Architect and design consultants to ensure timely development, integration, and delivery of high-quality design documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
Manage the project's design process and technical execution in alignment with contractual requirements, project objectives, budget, schedule, and quality standards.
Oversee design activities through Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration, driving timely decisions and issue resolution.
Partner with the Project Executive, Project Director, and Design Manager to lead design documentation efforts, identify project risks and opportunities, and support project goals.
Facilitate collaboration among design teams, construction teams, consultants, and client representatives.
Advocate for the Owner's design intent while balancing budget, schedule, constructability, and operational objectives.
Support client relationship management and business development by fostering relationships with owners, architects, consultants, and industry partners.
Develop and manage project permitting plans and schedules.
Coordinate with BIM, VDC, and project technology teams to integrate digital design and project delivery tools.
Provide design and technical input during preconstruction, bidding, procurement, and buyout activities.
Collaborate with Preconstruction and Estimating teams on Target Value Design initiatives, evaluate design cost impacts, and maintain budget alignment.
Develop Requests for Proposals for design services and support selection and procurement of architects, engineers, and specialty consultants.
Review consultant proposals, scopes of work, and design deliverables for completeness, quality, coordination, and alignment with project requirements.
Develop and implement project-specific Design Quality Control Plans and review design deliverables against established standards.
Lead and guide project teams throughout the design process, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.