Studio Director / Project Executive

I-Grace; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Generous paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Life insurance

Identity & Fraud benefits

Pet Solution benefits

Job summary

I-Grace, a premier luxury residential design firm, seeks a Studio Director / Project Executive to lead the California market from our Los Angeles base while collaborating with the New York studio.

You will oversee private high-end residential projects from concept through construction, mentor junior staff, manage client relations, and ensure design excellence, code compliance, and timely delivery across multi-family and single-family homes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 16+ years of professional experience in residential projects.
• Professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or related field.
• Licensed in California and NCARB certified.
• Strong communication with clients and consultants.

Responsibilities

• Provide project leadership from concept through construction administration.
• Mentor junior staff and expand capabilities in the California market.
• Oversee design and documentation using Revit/AutoCAD to deliver high-quality plans.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, and contractors to ensure design intent.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Leadership

Mentoring

Client relationship management

Education

Professional degree in Architecture or Interior Design

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Company Overview

We are a premier high-end residential construction company specializing in luxury residential projects in New York and California. For over three decades, I-Grace has been recognized for our exceptional craftsmanship, innovative design, and unwavering commitment to delivering the highest quality for our discerning clients. Join our team to lead prestigious projects and make a lasting impact on the future of luxury design.

At I-Grace, we value top talent and provide a supportive, collaborative environment that fosters professional growth. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for career development. Our leadership team has grown from within, and we take pride in developing the next generation of project leaders.

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Role Overview

The Studio Director / Project Executive plays a critical leadership role within the I-Grace Project Development Group, overseeing the planning and execution of private high-end residential design and advisory services. Projects include single family private homes, townhouses, and condos. The position is responsible for client relationships, design managing project timelines, design documentation, and team coordination to ensure architectural quality, compliance, and successful delivery. Part of the role will require providing design assist services in collaboration with the client, interior designer, architect, or as the lead designer for the project. The role serves as the primary liaison between the client, consultants, and contractors, and in parallel, mentoring junior team members to maintain design excellence throughout the life cycle of a project. The opportunity to work with the I-Grace Project Development Group will be out of our Los Angeles, office, while working directly with our New York Based Studio. Role will include helping to grow Client relationships and a team in the California market.

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Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Planning:

• Provide strategic vision and day-to-day administration of the design studio while working with the VP of the Project Development Group, and the Founder / Executive team of I-Grace.
• Responsible for development and execution of goals, business plan and profitability, aligning efforts with regional and national business unit plans and goals
• Actively lead the design and execution of architectural projects or portions of projects from concept through construction administration.
• Help to market and promote the I-Grace Project Development Group to identify projects and bring in new project or relationship opportunities.
• Develop a clear and consistent work plan to achieve project budgets, deliverables, and schedules.
• Participate with client presentations and collaboration with project design team.
• Collaborate with clients, contractors, and consultants to align project goals and expectations through pre-construction process.
• Participate in internal and external professional development opportunities.
• Interact directly with local agencies having authority or management companies to lead the process and understanding for approvals and code compliance.
• Create relationships with design partners such as interior designers, architects, or other design professionals to collaborate on new project opportunities.

Team Mentorship & Collaboration:

• Work directly with the Project Development Group VP and the Founder of I-Grace to expand the studios’ capabilities.
• Exhibit initiative and problem-solving skills, with attention to precision and accuracy at all levels of project development.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities and grow current client relationships including early client positioning
• Participate in the creation and review of fee proposals and workload projection for projects. Maintain project billings and project financial goals.
• Understand and enforce conditions of client contracts, and understand scope of work and where appropriate seek additional services
• Communicate effectively with project teams, consultants, and clients using written, oral, and visual means.
• Collaborate at project, consultant team, and client team levels by evaluating and constructively critiquing ideas.
• Mentor junior staff with design tasks, document production, and project execution.
• Foster a collaborative and growth-oriented studio culture.

Technical & Design Oversight:

• Review and participate as needed utilizing Revit, AutoCAD, and other software's to produce high-quality design documents from concept through construction documentation.
• Oversee the production of presentation materials, contract deliverables, diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings, and physical models.
• Apply a deep understanding of building materials, systems, specifications, codes, and construction techniques to enhance design concepts.
• Proactively pursue excellence in quality control and ensure design deliverables and construction documents meet technical requirements.

Pre-Construction, Construction Administration, and Advisor Services:

• Participate in construction administration activities, including site visits, RFI responses, submittal reviews, and punch lists.
• Monitor construction progress to ensure work complies with approved documents and specifications.
• Communicate with the I-Grace construction team, Project Architects, or external contractors to resolve on-site issues while maintaining design intent.
• Oversee efforts to provide pre-construction services working directly with the I-Grace construction studios.
• Provide owner's representation as required through an advisor role to the Client.

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What you bring

• Experience: Minimum of 16+ years of professional experience in residential projects (single-family, condo, or multi-family).
• Education: Completion of a professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field.
• Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to professionally interface with clients and consultants.
• Software Proficiency and Knowledge: Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace.
• Preferred Experience: Construction administration experience is required. Understanding local codes, laws, and procedures for approvals and code compliance within the county, city, or state that the office is located is required.
• The ideal candidate is active in the design community of the California market and is able to use previously established relations to help cultivate new projects
• Licensed Professional: Licensed in California and NCARB Certified is required

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $170,000 – $195,000 annually, based on experience
Comprehensive company benefits package offers:

• Health insurance - medical with virtual visits and health advocate availability, dental and vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off
• Professional development opportunities
• Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• HSA & FSA
• $50,000 worth of employer paid life insurance
• Legal Plan benefits
• Identity & Fraud benefits
• Pet Solution benefits
• Employee referral bonus
• Employee Assistance Program
• Home & Auto discounts and more!