Design Director

Gensler; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Disability coverage

Wellness programs

401k

Profit sharing

Employee stock ownership

Bonus opportunities

Paid holidays & time off

Job summary

Gensler in Columbus, OH seeks a visionary Design Director to lead a multidisciplinary design team, shape creative direction, and drive innovative outcomes for clients. You will guide projects from concept through execution, ensuring design excellence and alignment with the firm's standards.

The role requires NCIDQ certification or licensure, a design degree, LEED preferred, 15+ years of design experience with at least 5 in leadership, and a track record of delivering impactful, client-focused

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Architecture, Fine Arts, or a related field.
• NCIDQ certification or Licensed Architect required.
• 15+ years of design experience, with 5+ years in leadership.
• Strong portfolio of innovative design outcomes with client impact.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead multiple projects in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership for the design team and strategic initiatives.
• Engage clients, understand goals, and ensure satisfaction on major projects.
• Mentor and coach designers to grow skills and performance.
• Oversee design from concept to execution with high standards.
• Collaborate across practice areas and leadership to integrate perspectives.
• Ensure deliverables meet creativity, aesthetics, and functionality standards.
• Stay ahead of trends and bring innovative ideas to the firm.

Skills

Leadership

Client engagement

Mentor / coaching

Creative direction

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Design, Architecture, Fine Arts, or related field

NCIDQ certification or Licensed Architect

LEED Accreditation, preferred

Job description

Locations

Columbus, OH, US

Job Type

Full-Time

Your Role

Gensler is at the forefront of transformative design solutions that drive change and deliver exceptional value for our clients. Our commitment to innovation, creativity, and impactful design outcomes has positioned us as a leader in the industry. We are seeking a visionary Design Director who is passionate about pushing the boundaries of design to lead our talented team and elevate our client solutions.

Design Directors play a crucial role in shaping the creative direction of our projects and guiding a diverse team of designers across various disciplines. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of design principles and a proven track record of delivering exceptional results that resonate with project stakeholders. This individual will be responsible for ensuring that our design outcomes not only meet but exceed client expectations, resulting in groundbreaking and meaningful design solutions that drive value creation and successful outcomes.

What You Will Do

• Leadership & Strategy: Provide visionary leadership for the design team, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. Develop and implement strategic design initiatives that align with client goals and business objectives.
• Client Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, understanding their needs and objectives to deliver compelling design solutions. Act as the primary point of contact for major projects, ensuring clear communication and satisfaction.
• Mentor, Coach and Support Growth: Guide designers in discovering their strengths, mentor and coach to enhance and develop design skills. Provide open communication, active listening, and thoughtful questioning to unleash the potential of talent and teams within our People First culture.
• Creative Direction: Oversee design projects from concept through execution, ensuring that creative ideas are innovative, impactful, and aligned with the firm's high standards. Mentor and inspire the design team to explore new ideas and concepts.
• Cross‑Disciplinary Collaboration: Collaborate with other communities within the firm, including practice area/subject matter experts, client relationship leaders, and regional leadership, to integrate various perspectives into the design process and enhance the overall project delivery.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure all design deliverables are of exceptional quality and meet the firm's standards for creativity, aesthetics, and functionality. Conduct regular reviews and provide constructive feedback to the design team.
• Market Trends & Innovation: Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive insights. Bring fresh ideas and innovations to the table that ensure the firm remains a leader in design excellence and is well represented and published in the marketplace.

Your Qualifications

• Current NCIDQ certification as an Interior Designer or Licensed Architect a must Bachelor's degree in Design, Architecture, Fine Arts, or a related field.
• LEED Accreditation, preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in design, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a large or renowned design firm.
• Proven track record of delivering successful, innovative design outcomes that have had a significant impact on client satisfaction and business growth.
• Exceptional portfolio showcasing a variety of design projects, highlighting innovative approaches and successful client solutions.
• Strong understanding of design principles, user experience, and project management methodologies.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to articulate design concepts and decisions effectively to clients and teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best‑in‑class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to "Well‑being Awareness Week," our offices reflect our people's diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm's commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Abstive Action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state and local law.

Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state and local law.

See also Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal, right to work and E‑verify program, as required by law.

Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us.

Regarding Gensler's approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud. Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email [e-mail].