Senior Technical Director

JLL • Chicago, IL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

JLL Design is seeking a Senior Technical Director to lead the technical team across its national workplace interiors practice. The role sets technical direction to carry creative concepts through documentation and construction, while supporting business growth through detail-oriented, process-minded project delivery. The Senior Technical Director leads the team and manages the design solution across multiple projects and studios, serving as technical lead, producer, client liaison, quality assurance and control lead, and owner of practice-wide best practices and technical solutions.

The role defines technical strategy and standards, oversees the quality and risk performance of project work, develops technical talent and leaders, and works with studio and practice leaders to align technical resources with project needs and business goals. It oversees documentation and construction administration to ensure work aligns with design intent and firm standards. The position is on-site in Chicago, Illinois, with travel to project sites and studios as required (expected 20%). The position does not provide visa sponsorship; candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Requirements

• 20+ years of experience working on commercial interior design projects.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture.
• Completion of Architectural Registration Exams and licensure in at least one state.
• Fluency in AutoCAD, Revit, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Extensive knowledge of building codes and accessibility guidelines, including the ability to research requirements across jurisdictions and provide interpretations consistent with best practices.
• Excellent client communication and relationship management skills, including with senior client stakeholders.
• Self-motivated, self-managed, entrepreneurial approach, with the ability to multitask and organize several projects at a time.
• Demonstrated experience directly leading, coaching, and evaluating a technical team, including direct reports across multiple studios, offices, or regions, and providing clear direction and performance assessments related to technical expertise.
• Ability to set a technical vision and roadmap for a national practice, translate it into clear priorities and measurable goals, and build standards, templates, and workflows adopted and sustained across locations.
• Track record of developing technical leaders, including coaching, succession planning, and talent retention.
• Working knowledge of project risk management, contract documentation, and professional liability considerations.
• Financial acumen, including technical budgets, staffing, and utilization.
• Ability to influence and build trust with studio leaders, Architects of Record, and consultants at senior levels.
• Experience evaluating and rolling out BIM standards and emerging tools to improve quality and efficiency.
• Excellent listening and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines, prioritize assignments, and work effectively under pressure.
• Collaborative culture builder who models inclusion and belonging.
• Receptive to feedback and direction from others.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a design team.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead the national technical team, set priorities, allocate resources across studios, and provide direction, feedback, and career development.
• Define and own practice-wide technical strategy, standards, tools, templates, processes, and workflows, ensuring consistent application across studios.
• Hire, onboard, coach, and retain technical talent, and develop future technical leaders.
• Partner with studio and practice leaders to align technical resources with project demand and business goals.
• Set practice quality, risk, and technical performance measures; report results, identify areas below standards, and establish corrective plans.
• Oversee drawing documentation and redline drawings; mentor team members on technical work products and quality control policies and procedures.
• Champion firm standards for project delivery and internal quality assurance and control.
• Collaborate with firm Architects of Record to ensure work meets firm standards, follows design intent, and translates into buildable solutions.
• Conduct workshops, classes, and educational sessions, including at the annual staff summit, on technical aspects of project work.
• Serve as the internal resource for code reviews, technical content, and production of contract documents.
• Attend industry conferences and seminars to acquire education and credentials as required.
• Oversee construction administration to ensure work products comply with documented design intent.
• Understand high-level technical budgets and offer cost-effective solutions as needed.
• Communicate concepts and ideas through written, drawn, and verbal means.
• Advise leadership on investment needs for annual planning and identify and plan technical investment during fiscal strategy planning.
• Travel to project sites and studios as required; expected travel is 20%.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with matching company contributions
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care
• Paid parental leave at 100% of salary
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay
• Supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package prioritizing mental, physical, and emotional health

What This Job Offers

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