Project Director/Business Development - Architecture

GHD Group Pty Ltd • Tustin, CA

7d • $126,000 - $211,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

GHD's US West Design Studio is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Project Director- Architect to advance the growth of its architecture practice, with a focus on Hospitality and Entertainment sectors. This role is a Seller-Doer, responsible for both project delivery and acquiring new business. Based in the Tustin, CA office, the position combines business development with hands-on project involvement, suitable for an entrepreneurial design professional skilled in client cultivation, winning work, and leading delivery teams. It is a pivotal role for a motivated architect who thrives in a multidisciplinary environment and enjoys shaping the built environment across diverse projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture.
• Architectural licensure in the U.S. (preferred) or active progress toward licensure.
• 10-15 years of architectural experience, including project involvement in multiple building types.
• Demonstrated success in business development, client management, and work winning.
• Relevant experience in Hospitality and/or Entertainment design—hotels, resorts, restaurants, venues, leisure environments, or themed experiences.
• Strong presentation, communication, and relationship‑building abilities.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.
• Competency with Revit, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, and design communication tools.

Responsibilities

• Build, maintain, and grow client relationships across target markets (civic, education, commercial, industrial, transportation, infrastructure-related facilities) and strategically deepen GHD’s presence in Hospitality and Entertainment.
• Lead opportunity identification, positioning, and pursuit strategy for new and existing clients.
• Partner with US West Design Studio leadership to drive growth, revenue targets, and key account development.
• Collaborate with market sector leaders across GHD to coordinate integrated, multidisciplinary offerings.
• Represent the Architecture Design studio and GHD brand at industry events, conferences, and professional organizations.
• Support proposal development, interview strategy, and client presentations.
• Serve as project architect, design lead, or technical advisor for select projects across a broad range of building types.
• Lead conceptual design workshops, visioning sessions, and planning discussions with clients and stakeholders.
• Integrate architectural solutions with engineering, interiors, advisory, and environmental teams for a seamless, multidisciplinary approach.
• Ensure high standards of design quality, documentation, and project execution from concept through construction.
• Mentor emerging design talent and contribute to a collaborative, high-performance studio culture.
• Act as subject matter expert in an area of technology, policy, regulation, or operational management for the team.
• Maintain external accreditations and in-depth understanding of current and emerging external regulation and industry best practices through continuing professional development, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
• Ensure quality service and profitable business growth by managing a portfolio of complex customer relationships and/or a small team of account managers.
• Develop and implement a relationship management plan for strategic, complex potential accounts to build key relationships at local and national levels.
• Coordinate the engagement of own organization with the customer organization to ensure effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues.
• Consult with a range of customer representatives at different levels to identify required outcomes, introducing relevant internal specialists and utilizing their expertise to gather and analyze complex customer data, clarify medium- to long-term customer needs, and develop and agree to a specification of customer requirements.
• Develop a personal network of senior managers within the business sector and represent the organization at business sector events.
• Obtain market intelligence, promote the organization, and enhance its reputation.
• Develop and implement relationship management plans for complex existing customer accounts to identify and build relationships with relevant decision-makers and influencers within the customer organization and to enable effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues.
• Manage ongoing relationships with identified customer segments to ensure their needs are met, providing themes, summary analyses, and recommendations for changes based on customer input.

Benefits

• Equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior