Studio Design Leader: Commercial & Mixed-Use Impact

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

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.