Design Project Director

Exscape Group; Kentucky; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Comfort, Inc is seeking a Project Director/Designer to lead both design and business development for outdoor living spaces. You will guide design-build projects from concept through completion, collaborating with clients to deliver innovative landscape and hardscape solutions.

The role emphasizes leadership, budgeting, and client communication to ensure projects are on time, within budget, and of high quality. A background in landscape design with sales experience is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/experience; Landscape Architecture is a plus.
• 3–5 years in landscape/hardscape design and estimating with sales background.
• Proficient in AutoCAD, SketchUp and Lumion; strong MS Office skills.
• Experience with Aspire ERP is a plus; strong planning and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop landscape and hardscape designs addressing client needs and site challenges.
• Lead business development, prospecting and sales to grow revenue.
• Manage project pipelines and ensure timely workflow and resource allocation.
• Estimate design/build costs aligning with margins and objectives.
• Define scope, review bids from subcontractors, and approve invoices.
• Maintain client liaison throughout design-build process with clear communication.
• Monitor project finances for profitability and customer satisfaction.
• Schedule follow-up meetings post-completion to ensure satisfaction.
• Conduct weekly site visits to oversee subcontractors and quality.
• Foster positive client relationships and exceptional customer experience.

Skills

Sales background

Project management

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Landscape Architecture preferred)

Tools

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Lumion

Microsoft Office 365

Aspire ERP

Job description

Join a rapidly growing and highly awarded organization as a Project Director/Designer, where your creativity and leadership will directly shape exceptional outdoor living spaces. In this dynamic role, you will lead both business development and design initiatives, working closely with new and existing clients to deliver innovative landscape and hardscape solutions. Collaborate with a supportive team to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact in a collaborative environment that values your expertise and fosters professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop creative and practical landscape and hardscape designs using industry-standard design software, addressing client needs and site-specific challenges.
• Lead business development activities, including prospecting, lead generation, and sales, to expand the client base and achieve company revenue goals.
• Manage project pipelines by tracking backlog, in-progress, and completed work to ensure efficient workflow and resource allocation.
• Estimate costs for design/build outdoor living projects, ensuring alignment with company profit margins and project objectives.
• Define project scope, solicit and review bids from subcontractors, and approve related invoices to maintain project quality and budget adherence.
• Serve as the primary liaison for clients throughout the design-build process, providing clear and professional communication regarding project progress and construction details.
• Monitor and analyze the financial performance of projects to ensure timely completion, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Schedule and conduct follow-up meetings with clients at 30 days, 6 months, and one year post-completion to ensure satisfaction and address any concerns.
• Conduct weekly site visits to oversee subcontractors, monitor quality, and ensure adherence to project schedules.
• Foster positive client relationships and deliver an exceptional customer experience throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience; a degree in Landscape Architecture is a plus.
• 3-5 years of experience in landscape/hardscape design and estimating, with a background in sales.
• Proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Lumion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.
• Experience with Aspire ERP is a plus.
• Strong planning, organizational, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to foster a respectful workplace.
• Demonstrated business acumen and personal accountability.
• Experience in performance management and employee development is desirable.
• Involvement in community organizations is a plus.