Studio Design Leader - Commercial/Mixed-Use

HKS; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

HKS in Dubai seeks a Studio Design Leader to advance Design Excellence across the studio, guiding project design teams, shaping vision and goals, and delivering integrated, high-impact documentation.

You will partner with Project Managers and Regional Directors, mentor designers, manage client expectations, and contribute to market-facing strategies from programming through construction, with a focus on collaboration and leadership.

Qualifications

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture or Interior Design.
• Licensure or certification preferred.
• Minimum 15+ years of leadership experience in design studios.
• Experience with sustainable design and integrated design processes.
• Proficiency with design-related software and MS Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Supports project design leaders and teams; evaluates studio work quality against strategic plan.
• Collaborates in strategic planning and facilitates communication with other leaders.
• Ensures project teams develop measurable design enterprise standards.
• Guides project processes from vision to delivery across the studio.
• Interacts with clients during marketing through construction phases to align needs.
• Leads or mentors designers, guides critiques, and develops design direction across all phases.
• Manages client expectations and coordinates with consultants and team leaders.
• Monitors staffing, utilization and growth within the studio; advises adjustments.
• Serves as a technical resource and inspires high-quality design documentation.
• Partner with Office Director to communicate firm initiatives and priorities.
• Incorporates HKS strategic priorities and ONE Firm mindset into client solutions.
• Integrates HKS services and best practices for sustainable design.
• Exercises persuasion and negotiation on critical issues.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Relationship management

Collaboration

Presentation skills

Education

Architecture degree

Interior Design degree

Licensure preferred

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

MS Teams

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 writing Ability 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 If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal. We recommend selecting the location and/or country before selecting a job title when performing a search. Click on the link to drop your contact information and resume here so that your data becomes searchable for new positions! HKS is a global firm of architects, designers, planners and advisors who create places noted for their beauty and performance. Our 1,600 people in 29 offices are united by the belief that an environmental, social and governance approach to design achieves design excellence. In 2023, we became a carbon neutral firm. We value honesty, diversity and inclusion and we celebrate creative thinking. In partnership with our clients and collaborators, we craft powerful ideas and solutions. Together we create places that stand apart. HKS, Inc. provides reasonable accommodation in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with HKS, Inc. and need assistance applying for a posted position due to your disability, you may email us. Please use "Accommodation Request" as the subject line of your e-mail. For more information on what the Equal Employment Opportunity law encompasses, please click on the following links: EEO is the Law and Supplement. The following link is the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination policy statement.