Director of Design - Environmental Graphics

Gropen Inc; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid holidays and PTO

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401k plan

Job summary

Gropen, Inc. in Charlottesville, VA, is seeking a Design Director to lead our Design Department, owning people, quality, standards, and output from concept through fabrication and installation.

This leadership role requires strong design judgment, experience developing teams, and delivering high-quality environmental graphics and signage across projects with collaboration across Project Management, Sales, Fabrication, and Production.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in environmental graphic design, signage, experiential design, architecture, or related field.
• Track record of managing and developing people, not just being the most senior designer.
• Strong design judgment with a portfolio of sophisticated environmental, signage, or built-environment work.
• Knowledge of materials, fabrication, production, installation, code considerations, and constructability.
• Excellent communication, presentation, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience improving processes, documenting standards, and building consistency across a team.
• Proficiency with relevant design and technical software.
• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Environmental Design, Architecture, or related field — or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the Design team — setting clear expectations, roles, and priorities.
• Own the quality and consistency of Gropen's design output, including standards, review processes, and final sign-off.
• Build stronger onboarding, training, and professional development for designers.
• Manage visibility into workload, capacity, and deadlines, partnering with Project Management to keep priorities aligned.
• Improve design workflows from concept through technical development and production handoff — reducing rework and reinventing the wheel.
• Develop and maintain design standards, precedents, and reference libraries built on Gropen's institutional knowledge.
• Serve as Design's primary point of leadership and escalation with Project Management, Sales, Fabrication, Production, Installation, clients, and company leadership.
• Ensure designs account for client intent, brand, code requirements, materials, fabrication, installation, and constructability.
• Step into complex or high-value design work when your expertise makes a meaningful difference.
• Stay current on environmental graphic design, signage, materials, fabrication methods, and industry trends.
• Support client presentations, proposals, and business development alongside senior leadership.

Skills

Environmental graphic design

People management

Design judgment

Design software proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design/Environmental Design/Architecture

Tools

Design software

Job description

Gropen, Inc. in Charlottesville, VA, is seeking a Design Director to lead our Design Department, owning people, quality, standards, and output from concept through fabrication and installation.

This leadership role requires strong design judgment, experience developing teams, and delivering high-quality environmental graphics and signage across projects with collaboration across Project Management, Sales, Fabrication, and Production.