Organizing Lead & Designer

Collective UNBound; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 8,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

Collective UNBound is a start-up focused on design justice seeking an Organizing Lead. This role requires 8-10 years of experience in architectural design, managing projects from concept to execution while fostering community relationships. The ideal candidate will excel in strategic thinking and creative design, aligning projects with community needs and values.

Qualifications

• 8 to 10 years of experience in architectural design or allied discipline.
• Strong design sensibilities and excellent communication skills.
• Commitment to equity and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Act as liaison between clients and community partners for equity-centered approaches.
• Lead end-to-end project delivery including planning and budgeting.
• Manage workflows, documentation systems, and ensure quality deliverables.

Skills

Community engagement frameworks

Participatory design tools

Spatial storytelling methods

Tools

GIS

Grasshopper

AI tools

Job description

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Collective UNBound is a start-up design justice Social Purpose Corporation seeking anindividual to be a co-creator as the organization enters its growth stage. We are seeking anOrganizing Lead with 8 to 10 years of experience in architectural design or an allied design discipline, to strategize both internal and fee-for-service projects from concept to execution, ensuring the execution aligns and enriches a shared vision between the client, community, and the organization.

This role is responsible for structuring project workflows, managing critical information, and maintaining organized documentation, while also fostering strong client and community relationships. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and a creative designer who can develop clear systems and processes, facilitate collaboration, and ensure that all project deliverables are deeply rooted and collectively unbound. This role is ideal for someone with strong design sensibilities, excellent communication skills, and a deep commitment to equity in our environment.

Please apply by June 27.

Responsibilities

• Act as liaison between clients, community partners, and internal teams; represent the team to align vision with execution with equity centered approaches.
• Lead end-to-end project delivery, including scope alignment, planning, budgeting, scheduling, and performance tracking.
• Co-develop strategic agendas and provide regular project updates to stakeholders.
• Establish and manage efficient workflows, documentation systems, and version control for quality deliverables.
• Set clear expectations, foster accountability, and promote a collaborative, inclusive team culture.
• Support onboarding, monitor project risks, and step in as needed to ensure successful outcomes.

2/ Technical Design

• Lead community-informed, equity-centered design that translates cultural narratives into spatial strategies.
• Produce high-quality drawings and documentation across all phases, including plans, sections, renderings, and diagrams using 2D/3D software.
• Translate complex social and cultural concepts into technical designs aligned with client and community needs.
• Coordinate consultants, manage approvals, and oversee construction documentation and deliverables.
• Specify sustainable, climate-responsive, and culturally relevant materials and systems.
• Ensure compliance with codes, accessibility standards, zoning, permitting, and coordinate with consultants and agencies for approvals.
• Document design decisions and support planning, scheduling, and workflow coordination

3/ Social Equity & Justice

• Center community leadership in the design process, prioritizing voices most impacted by systemic injustice.
• Facilitate inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally-responsive engagement to ensure all community members are heard from visioning to implementation.
• Apply equity frameworks (e.g., restorative justice, environmental justice, healing-centered design) to shape project outcomes and internal team culture.
• Advocate for structural change by challenging power imbalances, redistributing decision-making, and supporting policies for long-term community self-determination.

4/ Business Development

• Build relationships with local community partners (contractors, developers, agencies, non-profits, land trusts and peer firms) to foster collaboration and resource alignment.
• Engage in targeted networking at industry events, panels, and community gatherings aligned with the firm’s mission.
• Stay informed on industry trends and opportunities through professional organizations and design/planning networks.
• Increase practice visibility by participating in public programs, sharing insights, and engaging in spaces that align with the organization's values.
• Develop innovative opportunities that leverages the team’s unique lived expertise for cultural empowerment on new project typologies

Skills, Software, and Tools

• A plus but not required: GIS, Grasshopper, AI tools
• Engagement, Organizing & Strategy: Community engagement frameworks, participatory design tools, spatial storytelling methods

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate with the individuals work and lived experience, talent, and alignment with the organization. The role starts at $8,000 a month with growth that aligns with the organization’s trajectory.

Location

Ideal candidates are LA-based or with deep roots within LA communities. It is a hybrid position where in-person work expectations are focused on in-person client and community relationship building.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Design Services

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