Design Studio Lead

JGM; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

JGM in Los Angeles seeks a Design Studio Lead to provide senior leadership for creative, strategic, and operational design across multiple projects, ensuring alignment between client vision, brand standards, and construction execution.

You will guide multidisciplinary teams, lead proposals, client engagement, and market positioning, while advancing studio growth and ensuring design excellence and project delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Environmental Design, or related field.
• Licensed Architect, NCARB certification, or equivalent.
• 15+ years of professional design and project leadership experience.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, project delivery methods, budgeting, and resource planning.
• Exceptional design sensibility with a portfolio of built work.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the master-planned vision while optimizing hospitality, residential, mixed-use facilities.
• Translate client vision, brand standards, and market positioning into innovative, buildable design solutions.
• Provide creative direction throughout all phases of design development.
• Oversee architectural, interior, experiential, and environmental design components from concept through completion.
• Lead design presentations, workshops, reviews, and approvals with stakeholders.
• Manage daily studio operations, staffing, schedules, and resource allocation.
• Identify project risks and implement proactive solutions to maintain timelines.

Skills

Design leadership

Studio management

Client relationship management

Multidisciplinary coordination

Project delivery & execution

Proposal & presentation leadership

Financial & resource planning

Problem-solving & decision-making

Communication & presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Environmental Design, or related field

Licensed Architect / NCARB certification

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Enscape

Navisworks

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office Suite

BIM workflows

Job description

The Design Studio Lead is a senior design professional responsible for the creative, strategic, and operational leadership of the design studio. This role oversees design excellence, project delivery, business development, and team performance while ensuring alignment between client vision, brand standards, technical requirements, and construction execution.

The Design Studio Lead serves as the primary design liaison between clients, consultants, and project teams, leading multidisciplinary efforts from concept through completion while supporting studio growth through proposal development, client engagement, and market positioning

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain the master-planned vision while optimizing the efficiency of hospitality, residential, mixed-use, and support facilities.
• Translate client vision, brand standards, and market positioning into innovative, buildable design solutions.
• Provide creative direction throughout all phases of design development.
• Oversee architectural, interior, experiential, and environmental design components from concept through completion.
• Promote innovation, collaboration, and design excellence across all projects.

Studio Leadership & Operations

• Lead and manage daily operations of the design studio across multiple active projects.
• Establish project priorities, staffing plans, schedules, and resource allocation.
• Develop and implement studio processes that improve efficiency, collaboration, and project delivery.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor, coach, and develop architects, designers, coordinators, and project teams.

Project Coordination & Delivery

• Manage the design process across all project phases including concept, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration.
• Oversee multiple projects simultaneously while monitoring budgets, schedules, deliverables, and performance metrics.
• Coordinate internal disciplines including architecture, engineering, construction management, and project controls.
• Coordinate external consultants including landscape architects, lighting designers, FF&E consultants, and specialty designers.
• Ensure design intent is maintained throughout project execution and construction.
• Identify project risks and implement proactive solutions to maintain timelines and profitability.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, ownership groups, brand representatives, and project stakeholders.
• Lead design presentations, workshops, reviews, interviews, and approval meetings.
• Build and maintain long-term client relationships through responsive communication and successful project outcomes.
• Manage client expectations and facilitate informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
• Resolve client concerns professionally and effectively.

Business Development & Strategic Growth

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities aligned with JGM's strategic goals.
• Lead proposal development, RFQ/RFP responses, interview preparation, and presentation efforts.
• Collaborate with leadership on project approaches, staffing strategies, fee proposals, and pursuit planning.
• Develop winning strategies for competitive pursuits and client engagements.
• Participate in networking events, industry organizations, and market-facing initiatives to promote studio growth.
• Track industry trends, market opportunities, and competitor activity.

Quality Control & Compliance

• Ensure all design deliverables meet company standards, client expectations, regulatory requirements, and project specifications.
• Review design documents, presentations, and production materials for quality, consistency, and technical accuracy.
• Conduct interdisciplinary design reviews and proactively resolve conflicts.
• Maintain documentation accuracy and coordination throughout the project lifecycle.

Construction Integration

• Collaborate closely with construction management teams to ensure constructability, schedule alignment, and budget compliance.
• Participate in site visits, mock-ups, inspections, and design verification activities.
• Address field conditions, RFIs, submittals, and design-related construction issues.
• Support seamless integration between design intent and project execution

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Environmental Design, or related field.
• Licensed Architect, NCARB certification, or equivalent professional credential preferred.
• 15+ years of professional design and project leadership experience.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated success in client development, proposals, RFQ/RFP pursuits, and business development activities.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, project delivery methods, budgeting, and resource planning.
• Exceptional design sensibility supported by a portfolio of high-quality built work.

Core Competencies

• Design leadership and creative vision
• Studio management and team development
• Business development and strategic growth
• Client relationship management
• Multidisciplinary coordination
• Project delivery and execution
• Proposal and presentation leadership
• Financial and resource planning
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Quality assurance and technical excellenceStrong communication and presentation skills

Technical Proficiency

• Revit
• AutoCAD
• Enscape
• Navisworks
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• BIM workflows and project collaboration platforms

Work Environment & Expectations

• Hybrid office, client, and project-site presence.
• Ability to travel as required for project coordination, client meetings, presentations, interviews, and site visits.
• Fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with high expectations for leadership, quality, innovation, and business growth.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and possess a valid passport for domestic and international travel as required.

Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities as needed to support organizational goals and operational requirements.