Studio Design Leader - Commercial Mixed-Use

HKS, Inc.; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

HKS, Inc. is seeking a Studio Design Leader in Dubai to advance Design Excellence across the studio. You will participate in critical design dialogue, lead or co-lead multiple projects, and grow leadership skills in relationship-building and collaboration with exceptional clients.

You will guide teams through concept to construction, integrate best practices, and act as a primary client liaison, ensuring delivery aligns with firm strategy and quality expectations.

Qualifications

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, related field, or equivalent.
• Licensure or certification in chosen field preferred.
• Typically 15+ years of experience including leadership and talent development.
• Sustainable design accreditation preferred.
• Familiarity with design software (Vision) and MS Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Supports project design leaders and teams, aligning studio work with the strategic plan.
• Collaborates on strategic planning and marketing coordination.
• Ensures measures for design enterprise standards across project stages.
• Guides project processes, vision development, service delivery and documentation.
• Leads client interface, manages expectations, and coordinates consultants.
• Mentors designers, guides critiques, and advances design direction.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Client relationship management

Project management

Strategic planning

Mentoring

Travel

Education

Architecture/Interior Design degree

Tools

Vision

MS Office

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Job Description:

Overview

Responsible for advancing Design Excellence (as defined by the Design Enterprise) in the respective studio. They must ensure and participate in critical design dialog across all project teams within the studio and evaluate the quality of studio work against the strategic plan.

The Studio Design Leader often leads or participates in multiple projects concurrently. The role focuses on growing leadership skills related to relationship-building, collaboration and interpersonal skills while working on great projects for exceptional clients.

Responsibilities

• Supports all project design leaders and project teams within the studio and evaluates the quality of studio work against the strategic plan, in collaboration with studio and office leadership
• Collaborates in strategic planning and facilitates communication for specific practice with other leaders, such as vetting studio marketing strategy and allocating needed resources
• Ensures project teams develop measures that can be evaluated during all stages of the project for the design enterprise standards of integration, innovation, and impact
• Collaborates on projects assigned to respective studio by focusing on the project process, development of the vision and goals, service/delivery, work environment and project documentation
• Collaborates during the initial marketing stages through completion of construction, including programming client needs, conceptual and schematic design, design development and delivery
• Collaborates with leaders such as Project Manager, Studio Practice Leader and Regional Design Director to lead the team through all phases by guiding, advising and mentoring other designers on project work, developing design direction and leading critiques
• May act as a primary interface with clients for respective studio, building and strengthening connections through a comprehensive understanding of their mission, goals, policies, needs and progress
• Manages client expectations, team communication and consultant coordination for respective studio in collaboration with project team leadership
• May monitor staffing, utilization and growth management across the studio, including recommending adjustments where necessary
• Serves as a technical resource for the studio, assisting in the resolution of complex problems, and helping them grow in their roles
• Reviews concept development and, in collaboration with Studio Practice Leader and Regional Design Director, provides leadership, inspiration and motivation to the design team to create the highest quality design documentation and to achieve client satisfaction
• Partners with Office Director as a liaison between the firm leadership and staff, communicating firm and regional initiatives and priorities
• Emphasizes and incorporates HKS strategic priorities, such as Design Measures into client solutions
• Operates with "ONE Firm" mindset, minimizes the sector and operational variables within the office in collaboration with Regional Design Director
• Integrates HKS services, expertise and innovation in all projects, while actively seeking opportunities to incorporate HKS best practices, sustainable design solutions, subject matter expertise and resources strategically and efficiently for the client, user and community
• Exercises skills of persuasion and negotiation on critical issues

Qualifications

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, related degree for respective field, or relevant years in education or experience
• Licensure or certification in chosen field preferred
• Typically 15+ years of experience, including experience in a leadership role with demonstrated success in both project work and talent/resource development
• Significant experience in the practice area of the studio
• Sustainable design accreditation preferred
• Familiarity in the capability and benefits of design-related software preferred
• Familiarity in the functionality of Vision
• Experience in MS Office Suite, including Microsoft Project and Microsoft Teams preferred
• Proficiency in logistics management including connecting people and resources to the right place at the right time
• Successful track record in directing and providing leadership for design teams from business development presentations through developing strategy and design concepts
• Successful track record in success building, nurturing and fostering new client relationships
• Excellent presentation skills
• Strong leadership, organization, communication and relationship management skills
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to work closely with design leaders to promote an inter-disciplinary design approach and philosophy, and to facilitate its advancement across the firm
• Ability to manage team with diplomatic and collaborative leadership style which puts value on relationships and collaboration, both internal and external
• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writingAbility to problem solve and apply innovative solutions
• Ability to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment
• Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality
• Travel will be required