Director of Design

The Blue Collar Recruiter•Fond du Lac, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Our company delivers award-winning specialty construction and immersive themed environments for zoos, theme parks, casinos, resorts, museums, botanical gardens, residential communities, golf courses, family entertainment centers, themed retail, and restaurants. The Director of Design leads a design team of approximately 3–5 designers to ensure project design objectives, deadlines, and company and customer quality standards are met. This role oversees team performance, development, daily priorities, and design deliverables while collaborating with leaders across functions to align resources, processes, and project needs. All work is performed efficiently, safely, and according to applicable regulations and guidelines. This exempt role is hands-on.

Requirements

Associate's degree in drafting, design, architecture, or a related field
3+ years of team leadership experience preferred
7+ years of design experience in commercial construction, architecture, structural design, and/or landscape architecture
Experience with resource allocation, supplier coordination, budget awareness, and performance tracking
Background in shotcrete and/or themed construction desired
Must demonstrate the company's Core and Leadership Competencies
Positive attitude in approaching daily projects, and team opportunities and challenges
Customer focused, motivating to spark employee enthusiasm while promoting and implementing policies and standards
Analytical thinker who breaks down problems and creates solutions, often working from limited information
Flexible to change, able to multitask, and able to meet changing customer needs and deadlines
Proficient with Microsoft Office applications
Familiar with design and project tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, ProCore, Bluebeam, or other specialized platforms
AI and 3D design knowledge, and Rhino experience, useful
Ability to coach, mentor, and develop team members
Strong written, verbal, listening, and presentation communication skills with internal and external stakeholders
Ability to think strategically and solve complex design problems
Proactive in improving design processes and increasing efficiency
Understanding of design principles, industry standards, and relevant regulations
Familiar with value engineering practices that optimize designs for cost-efficiency and performance
Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously

Nice To Haves

project management, design, or leadership certification

Responsibilities

Lead the design team by setting expectations, providing oversight of design and engineering work, reviewing drawing sets, and addressing team performance needs.
Identify and forecast staffing needs and assist with hiring activities for the team.
Use performance data to measure productivity, goal achievement, and opportunities for improvement.
Coordinate training based on individual and team needs.
Ensure design tasks meet quality standards and deadlines, based on estimates and requirements of the project.
Plan, assign, delegate, and balance project workload effectively.
Communicate clearly with the team, other departments, subcontractors, suppliers, and customers.
Peer review design work for accuracy, precision, value engineering opportunities, customer requirements, and efficient use of labor and materials.
Lead design meetings and provide input to improve designs and reduce inefficiencies.
Direct work from rough sketches, schematics, written instructions, architectural and engineering drawings, and other source materials while ensuring adherence to industry standards and codes.
Participate in engineering and general design reviews; coordinate pricing and contract data as needed.
Obtain project design information from suppliers, consultants, clients, and other stakeholders.
Prepare and revise the design submittal packages to meet project requirements and company standards.
Support and collaborate with sales, shop, project management, and other teams at all phases of projects.