Director of Design

Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc.; Hamilton (NJ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock ownership through ESOP

Competitive pay and bonus potential

Flexible Fridays and extended benefits

Comprehensive benefits package (health

Dental

Vision

401(k) and ESOP

Job summary

Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. is seeking a Director of Design (Architecture) in a leadership role to champion design excellence across diverse project types.

You will guide a team of architects and designers, interfacing with senior management and aligning design initiatives with firm goals. The role requires conceptual skill, deep technical rigor, and the ability to drive innovative design from conception to delivery while presenting to owners and clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Architecture from an accredited college/university.
• Minimum 15 years of experience, with demonstrated success leading project teams.
• Architectural License (or eligibility) or related certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead design vision and execution on complex projects across multiple market sectors.
• Drive and elevate the design process from concept through construction.
• Lead and manage design teams, mentoring next generation of design talent.
• Oversee the creative process from concept to final execution on multiple projects.
• Ensure consistency and quality of design across all market sectors.
• Collaborate with project managers and production teams to ensure cohesive design and adherence to budgets/timelines.
• Stay up to date with industry trends and innovations in design practices.
• Conduct quality reviews on design of projects.
• Present design concepts to senior management, teams and clients.
• Provide constructive feedback to design staff.
• Mentor staff and foster curiosity, critique, and craft.
• Support business development through proposals, interviews, and client engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Design leadership

Software proficiency

Adobe Creative Suite

SketchUp

Lumion

AutoCAD/BIM/Revit

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor/Master in Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD/BIM/Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

SketchUp

Lumion

MS Office

Job description

Are you a talented architect and designer with excellent mentoring skills? Do you have career aspirations to become a member of the leadership team? Are you looking to become involved with initiatives. projects, and activities that advance your career and your Firm. Then this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!

Spiezle is a 100% employee-owned firm! When you join Spiezle as an employee-owner, this is YOUR Company. By nature, employee ownership reinforces our culture of transparency and helps fuel our entrepreneurial spirit. As an award-winning architectural and engineering design firm, we collaborate with our clients to create innovative designs, build long-term value, and contribute to our clients’ lives. Since our founding in 1954, our team has generated consistent and steady growth over the years and is one of the top architectural firms in the region, and within the top 200 firms within the country. Our vision, mission, and values guide us in everything we do, and employee ownership shapes our culture. Spiezle’ s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) makes us accountable not only to ourselves, but to each other. It’s our company, and our actions and engagement make the difference!

Director of Design Employee-Owners wanted! Spiezle employee owners don’t have jobs, but careers! The Spiezle team has earned a reputation as preeminent professionals who provide the best possible design and service. With over 135 employees and seven locations along the East Coast, we assist clients with a variety of project types across the United States. Led by our passionate thought-leaders, our work is focused on Education, Healthcare, Senior Living, Corporate, Multi-Family and Government projects.

The Director of Design (Architecture) is a leadership role responsible for championing and advancing design excellence while shaping the future of the firm’s design direction. This position demands a highly creative, collaborative, and strategic professional who can guide a team of architects and designers, interface with senior management, and align design initiatives with broader company goals. This individual will bring conceptual skill, deep technical rigor, and the leadership to drive exceptional design across a wide range of project types. They will lead multidisciplinary teams through all phases of design - from early visioning to delivery - ensuring that our work is innovative, contextually responsive, and consistently excellent. This individual shall be equally comfortable sketching before of a room full of people, standing in front of a client Board, or presenting to various types of owners. As the spearhead of the design process, the Director of Design reports directly to a Principal and ensures consistency in design and messaging across all platforms and projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

• Lead design vision and execution on complex projects across multiple market sectors
• Drive and elevate the design process from concept through construction
• Lead and manage design teams, providing mentorship to the next generation of design talent, and foster a collaborative environment across all offices
• Oversee the creative process from concept to final execution on multiple projects simultaneously
• Ensure consistency and quality of design across all market sectors
• Collaborate with project managers, production teams, and other stakeholders to ensure cohesive design product and adherence to budgets and timelines
• Stay up to date with industry trends and incorporate relevant innovations into design practices
• Conduct quality reviews on design of projects
• Present design concepts and strategies to senior management, project teams and clients
• Provide constructive feedback to applicable design team members
• Mentor staff and foster a culture of curiosity, critique, and craft
• Support business development through proposals, interviews, and client engagement

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Bachelors or Masters Degree in Architecture from an accredited college/university
• Minimum 15 years of experience, with demonstrated successfully leading project teams
• Exceptional creativity and innovative vision
• Architectural License (or eligibility), or other related discipline certification or license.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Proven ability to collaborate with various project teams
• Experience in a senior design role within similar market sectors as Spiezle
• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch-up, Lumion, etc.
• General knowledge of AutoCAD/BIM/Revit; and Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Track record of successful project delivery on time and within budget
• Proven ability to lead and inspire a team
• Knowledge of the latest design trends and technologies

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU!

• We are an employee-owned company and YES, you will be an owner and receive stock without purchase
• Competitive pay, bonus opportunities, and year-round flexible Fridays to jump start the weekend
• Flexible work hours
• We offer a robust and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), ESOP, Group Life & Disability, Voluntary Life, plus many more!
• Professional Development opportunities that align with the Firm's leadership succession plan and/or individual development plan
• Social and team building events
• We encourage our employees to pursue local and professional advocacy groups
• We provide the opportunity to help with pro-bono initiatives that bring design initiatives to the community