Director of Design | Chief Designer

American Institute of Architects Minnesota; Minnesota; On-site; USD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

AEC Resources is seeking a Director of Design to lead the architectural and interior design vision across a national portfolio of high-end experiential projects. This executive role demands a bold design leadership and the ability to shape environments that blend aesthetics with functionality.

The position entails directing the creative direction of future developments, collaborating with leadership, and defining a distinctive design identity across properties.

Qualifications

• Executive design leadership experience in architecture and interiors.
• Portfolio in luxury hospitality, resorts, or experiential design.
• Ability to lead design concepts from concept to execution.
• Strong spatial and visual design sensibilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural and interior design vision across the national portfolio.
• Direct the relationship between architecture, interiors, materials, finishes, furnishings, and the overall experience of a space.
• Mentor and lead design teams; establish creative direction.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on significant architectural and development decisions.

Job description

• Outside of Minnesota

Director of Design | Chief Designer

Posted Friday, November 6

Organization

AEC Resources

Location

Southwest Minnesota

Salary / Compensation

$200,000 - $300,000

Description

Title:Director of Design | Chief Designer
Location:10201 Wayzata BlvdMinnetonka, MN 55305
Pay:$200,000 – $300,000
Executive Design Leadership | Architecture & Interiors
Search Scope: Nationwide Design Studio | Relocation Candidates Encouraged
Compensation: Base salary of $200,000 – $300,000 commensurate with experience and design credentials
Industry: Experiential Luxury

We are conducting a confidential national executive search for a Director of Design to lead the architectural and interior design vision for an organization with an extensive portfolio of high-end experiential projects.
This is an opportunity for an accomplished designer to influence architectural identity, shaping environments that combine extraordinary aesthetics, thoughtful functionality, and memorable experiences.
The intent is to establish a new standard of design excellence across these properties, creating distinctive destinations that rival the quality, sophistication, and architectural character associated with premier luxury hospitality brands.
We are seeking an architect whose portfolio speaks for itself. Someone with exceptional creative instincts, original ideas, and the ability to envision and communicate remarkable spaces before they exist.
This is not simply an opportunity to lead an architecture department. It is an opportunity to define the design vision for a national design studio.

The Role

As Chief Designer, this architect will assume overarching creative design leadership for the organization’s architectural and interior design initiatives.
You collaborate closely with current leadership to understand the established design philosophy, aspirations, and expectations before assuming primary responsibility for the creative direction of future developments.
The objective is to bring an extraordinary design leader into the organization who can independently conceive, develop, communicate, and execute a cohesive architectural vision.
Your influence will extend beyond traditional architectural design. You will shape the experience of each environment, from the overall architectural concept and spatial composition to the selection and integration of materials, colors, textures, furnishings, and interior details.
Success in this role requires the combination of architectural expertise, sophisticated aesthetic judgment, creative originality, and executive leadership.

What You’ll Lead:

Architectural Vision & Creative Direction

• Establish and advance a distinctive architectural design vision across the organization’s national project portfolio
• Lead the earliest stages of conceptual design, translating ambitious ideas into compelling architectural environments
• Create original design concepts that demonstrate exceptional spatial awareness, composition, proportion, geometry, and visual sophistication
• Shape the architectural character of new developments, renovations, and repositioning initiatives
• Elevate the quality and consistency of design across multiple project types, locations, and scales
• Bring fresh perspectives and innovative design thinking that advance the organization’s architectural identity

Integrated Architecture & Interior Design

• Direct the relationship between architecture, interiors, materials, finishes, furnishings, and the overall experience of a space
• Demonstrate exceptional judgment in color theory, texture, materiality, lighting, spatial relationships, and visual composition
• Create cohesive environments in which exterior architecture, interior spaces, and individual design elements work together
• Develop hospitality-inspired environments that balance luxury, functionality, wellness, comfort, and aesthetic distinction
• Ensure that every design decision contributes to a thoughtful, unified architectural experience

Conceptual Design & Visualization

• Personally contribute to the creative process through freehand sketching, conceptual drawings, three-dimensional visualization, and digital design tools
• Rapidly communicate sophisticated architectural ideas through compelling visual representations
• Translate abstract concepts into understandable, inspiring design solutions
• Use contemporary visualization technologies, including emerging AI-assisted design capabilities, where they meaningfully enhance creativity and design exploration
• Guide design development while preserving the integrity and quality of the original architectural vision

Design Leadership & Organizational Influence

• Provide overarching creative direction to architectural and interior design teams
• Establish clear expectations for design excellence, originality, and aesthetic quality
• Critique, refine, and improve design concepts through constructive, creative leadership
• Make decisive design recommendations and provide the creative authority necessary to move projects forward
• Collaborate directly with executive leadership on significant architectural and development decisions
• Build a design culture that values creativity, attention to detail, and exceptional results

The Projects

The Director of Design Architect will influence a substantial and varied national portfolio. This is not a narrowly defined building-type specialization. The portfolio offers the opportunity to work across multiple architectural typologies, with the common objective of creating extraordinary environments.
Candidates with luxury hotel, resort, restaurant experience are encouraged to apply.

The Architect We’re Seeking:

An extraordinary design portfolio

A body of work that demonstrates original architectural thinking, distinctive aesthetics, sophisticated spatial composition, and a consistent ability to create memorable environments.

A sophisticated understanding of luxury design

Experience creating high-end architectural environments, potentially within luxury hotels, resorts, hospitality, experiential design, residential developments, or other premium lifestyle destinations.

Exceptional three-dimensional and spatial vision

The ability to mentally envision complex environments, understand how spaces interact, and translate ideas into compelling architectural compositions.

A highly developed aesthetic sensibility

An instinctive understanding of how color, materials, textures, geometry, proportions, and furnishings combine to create exceptional environments.Outstanding conceptual design capabilitiesThe ability to personally sketch, draw, visualize, and communicate original architectural ideas, both by hand and through digital design tools.

Architectural depth and technical credibility

A strong foundation in architectural practice, with the technical knowledge necessary to guide design concepts through development and execution without compromising creative intent.

Creative leadership and decisiveness

The confidence, experience, and judgment to lead other talented designers, establish creative direction, and make important design decisions independently.

The Background That Could Make You Successful:

• Creative Director, Director of Design, Chief Design Architects, Experiential Designers, Design Principals, and Design Directors
• Design Partners or senior creative leaders within nationally or internationally recognized architecture firms
• Architectural leaders responsible for award-winning luxury hospitality, resort, or experiential design portfolios
• Design architects from highly regarded boutique studios known for distinctive, original work
• Senior architects with integrated expertise in both architectural and interior design
• Established design leaders who remain personally engaged in conceptual design and creative development
• Experience working with internationally recognized luxury hospitality brands, including properties comparable in design quality to Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Montage, and other premier destinations, would be particularly relevant.

The quality of your design work, your creative vision, and your ability to lead architectural excellence will carry greater weight than a conventional checklist of qualifications.

Contact

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