Design Director: Visionary Studio Leader & Innovator

IA Interior Architects; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

IA Interior Architects in Philadelphia seeks a Design Director to set a clear vision for design excellence and lead the studio in delivering innovative, high-performing environments.

You will collaborate with clients, project teams and firm leadership to translate business and human needs into design solutions that are strategic, aspirational, and executable. The role includes mentoring, design reviews, and guiding award submissions to reflect IA’s brand.

Qualifications

• Degree from an accredited architecture or interior design program.
• Licensed Architect and/or Interior Designer preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in workplace design, including leadership of complex projects and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with clients by understanding objectives and translating insights into clear design vision.
• Lead and elevate design quality across the studio with consistency, rigor, and innovation.
• Direct and present design concepts for key projects and accounts with compelling storytelling and visuals.
• Oversee development of space plans, design concepts, documentation, and furniture packages for priority projects.
• Collaborate with Project Managers and technical leaders to ensure alignment with client goals.
• Mentor designers at all levels through feedback, coaching, and leadership.
• Lead training initiatives, design reviews, and team-building to support IA’s standards.
• Maintain industry and client relationships and identify opportunities for new pursuits and thought leadership.
• Guide project photography, storytelling, and award submissions to reflect IA’s brand.
• Foster collaboration across studios to align with firm-wide standards and objectives.

Skills

Storytelling

Presentation

Client engagement

Education

Degree from an accredited architecture/interior design program

Licensed Architect/Interior Designer preferred

Tools

Revit

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

IA Interior Architects in Philadelphia seeks a Design Director to set a clear vision for design excellence and lead the studio in delivering innovative, high-performing environments.

You will collaborate with clients, project teams and firm leadership to translate business and human needs into design solutions that are strategic, aspirational, and executable. The role includes mentoring, design reviews, and guiding award submissions to reflect IA’s brand.