Director - Studio

Kilroy Realty Corporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 153,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual discretionary bonus

Health benefits

Retirement savings plan with employer

Parental leave coaching

Wellness program

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Kilroy Realty Corporation seeks a Director, STUDIO in Los Angeles to lead the design process across Kilroy’s portfolio, translating concepts into buildable, high-quality outcomes while balancing creativity with practicality.

You will guide design consultants, manage projects, collaborate with internal teams, and mentor staff, reporting to the Senior Vice President, STUDIO; a Bachelor’s in a related field and 8–10 years of experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related field.
• 8–10 years of professional experience in design or CRE roles.
• Strong organization, multi-tasking and independent initiative.
• Ability to guide design consultants to meet goals while enabling creativity.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Deep knowledge of building development guidelines and design standards.
• Proficient with AutoCAD, SketchUp, Bluebeam, Adobe CS, and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Act as design lead from concept through completion on assigned projects.
• Collaborate with internal teams, consultants, and stakeholders to deliver high-quality design solutions.
• Oversee submittals, RFIs, and shop drawings; support construction administration.
• Guide consultants to meet design, budget, and schedule goals.
• Mentor team members and foster accountability and growth.

Skills

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Project management

Design leadership

Constructability knowledge

Branding and graphics sense

Collaboration across teams

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Revit

Bluebeam

Adobe Creative Suite

MS Office

Job description

About The Opportunity

As Director, STUDIO, this position is responsible for overseeing the design process and ensuring the successful execution of selected projects across Kilroy’s portfolio. This role requires a thoughtful and strategic design leader who can translate conceptual ideas into high-quality, buildable outcomes—balancing creativity with pragmatism.Their duties include contributing to designideation and management of projects and design consultants while working with and updating internal teams to help facilitate efficient and smooth project delivery.Thisposition reports to the Senior Vice President, STUDIO.

As Director, STUDIO, this position is responsible for overseeing the design process and ensuring the successful execution of selected projects across Kilroy’s portfolio. This role requires a thoughtful and strategic design leader who can translate conceptual ideas into high-quality, buildable outcomes—balancing creativity with pragmatism.Their duties include contributing to designideation and management of projects and design consultants while working with and updating internal teams to help facilitate efficient and smooth project delivery.Thisposition reports to the Senior Vice President, STUDIO.

STUDIO Function at Kilroy Realty, L.P.

• STUDIO is Kilroy’s in-house creative team who partners and supports all areas of the greater company to integrate Kilroy’s bespoke, crafted, and artistic approach for the built We help the company realize all of the strategic initiatives through Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Lighting Design, Art, Environmental Wayfinding, Branding, and Graphic Design.
• By integrating all of the artistic disciplines under one umbrella, we build a "united" creative vision that will provide a strong foundation to support and help frame KILROY’s greater goals in the real estate
• As a group of people who are passionate about how what we design resonates aesthetically and functionally, we depend on collaboration with every Kilroy team across the regions, investments, leasing marketing, development and construction, asset management and sustainability to name a few to develop successful solutions that make Kilroy stand out from our

Opportunity Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or another related field.
• 8 -10 years of professional experience from an applicable field (architectural/interior design firm or commercial real estate owner and/or developer).
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills. Strong ability to prioritize and multi-task with multiple projects and deadlines. Must be flexible and highly motivated, with a willingness to take initiative, be resourceful, and work independently.
• Ability to firmly guide design consultants and vendors to desired design, budget and schedule goals in a way that encourages and ensures rapid progress but does not hamper their creativity.
• Proven ability to guide consultants (architectural, MEP, vendors (including furniture, etc.) to meet design, budget, and schedule goals.
• Excellent presentation, communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively and professionally with all personality types.
• Extensive understanding of guidelines and parameters surrounding building development.
• Extensive knowledge of interior design that includes ability to specify finishes, furniture, decorative light fixtures, and all things décor.
• Strong understanding and fluency in construction documents, constructability and working with contractors.
• Ability to review and oversee consultant review of submittals, RFIs, and shop drawings.
• Support site visits and support construction problem-solving.
• Ensure execution aligns with drawings, details, and design vision.
• Strong design skills with a good eye and refined aesthetic sensibilities across all types of medium.
• Strong proficiency in Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Sketchup (Or other 3D program), Adobe CS – Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign, Microsoft Word & Excel. Create visual mock-ups, studies, plans, elevations, etc.
• Proficient in online project management/productivity tools – (Asana preferred; Miro a plus).
• Familiarity with AI tools in design/visualization is a plus.
• Positive, can-do attitude with a solutions-oriented mindset.

Summary Of Responsibilities

The Director serves as the design lead and subject matter expert for assigned projects, overseeing initiatives from concept through completion. This role works collaboratively with internal teams, consultants, and external stakeholders to deliver high-quality and cost-effective design solutions that align with portfolio objectives. Ultimately, they are also able to manage in situations where they are both executors and managers of their respective tasks. Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Communicate regularly and effectively with the STUDIO team, Kilroy Construction Management, Leasing Leads and Asset Management to set project goals and deliver well-designed, efficient, and cost-effective solutions within schedule requirements.
• Develop a high level of confidence, trust, and credibility with internal stakeholders by way of clear and frequent reports, responsiveness, transparency, and efficiency. Critical to ensure STUDIO Leadership is up to date on project status.
• Contribute to design ideation and managing project tasks from concept to fruition. Utilize mockups, studies, stakeholder presentations, workshopping, and feedback incorporation to establish project buy-in.
• Recommend actionable, implementable, pragmatic, and creative solutions within workstreams. Maintain a high standard of visual quality control across all projects.
• Manage project process to clearly track the design consultant teams, schedules, and budgets. Responsibility to maintain project deliverables and flag any issues or concerns which hinder project objectives. Understand goals and objectives pertaining to projects.
• Champion and maintain the adoption of design standards, guidelines and procedures related to STUDIO while continuing to seek better design solutions, through technology, tools, and process.
• Work collaboratively with SVP and Creative director to contribute to strategic objectives, and larger goals pertaining to the portfolio.
• Lead actionable, implementable, pragmatic, and creative solutions within workstreams. Oversee the quality control and review of design drawings to ensure they meet standards of functionality and aesthetics.
• Track milestones and deliverables, proactively identifying and resolving risks.
• Review submittals, RFIs, and shop drawings; support construction administration and site coordination.
• Mentor and collaborate with team members, fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and excellence.
• Create new and maintain relationships with vendors and consultants for purpose of receiving most economical and professional solutions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We Offer

At Kilroy, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within the role. The base pay range for this role is between $153,000 and $180,000 and your base pay will depend on your skills, experience and training, knowledge, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. This role is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus as well.
Our comprehensive group health benefits program is built around your total health and provides employees and their families with care and coverage designed to help you thrive. Our health and wellness program offerings include medical, dental, vision, with FSA, HSA options, Group Life & Disability, LTD coverage and much more. Ancillary programs include a retirement savings plan with a competitive employer match, employee support programs like our parental leave coaching program, wellness, and commuter benefits, just to name a few. We invite you to visit our website at www.kilroyrealty.com to learn more.