Studio Practice Leader - Health Interiors

HKS INC; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

HKS Inc. seeks aStudio Practice Leader to oversee the Atlanta studio and multiple project teams. You will guide design strategy, mentor designers, manage client relationships, and ensure delivery excellence across complex projects.

The role emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and sustainable design while aligning with the firm’s ONE Firm approach and regional priorities. Travel is required.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in design studios or architecture practice.
• Strong ability to mentor designers and lead multi-project teams.
• Excellent communication and relationship management with clients and staff.
• Proven track record in delivering high-quality design documentation.

Responsibilities

• Oversees studio projects, drives process, delivery, and documentation.
• Partners with leaders to achieve strategic studio goals and allocate resources.
• Interacts with clients to align on mission, goals, and progress.
• Leads design direction and critiques with the team across all phases.
• Manages staffing, utilization, and growth within the studio.
• Provides leadership to ensure high-quality design documentation and client satisfaction.
• Collaborates with regional leadership and office director on firm initiatives.
• Promotes sustainable design principles and best practices.

Education

Accredited professional degree in Architecture or Interior Design

Tools

Vision

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Teams

MS Office

Job description

Overview

Responsible for overall management of the respective studio and the work of multiple project teams focused on the design, development and delivery of outstanding solutions for a practice area or building type. Executes the practice strategy in the studio(s). The Studio Practice Leader often leads multiple projects with multiple clients concurrently. The role focuses on growing leadership skills related to relationship building, collaboration and interpersonal skills while working on great projects for exceptional clients.

Responsibilities

• Oversees projects assigned to the studio by focusing on the project process, service/delivery, work environment and project documentation.
• Collaborates in strategic planning and facilitates communication for the specific practice with other leaders, including vetting studio marketing strategy and allocating needed resources.
• Partners with studio and office leadership to further the strategic goals of the firm, sector and office.
• Collaborates during the initial marketing stages through completion of construction, including programming client needs, conceptual and schematic design, design development and delivery.
• Collaborates with leaders such as Project Manager and Studio Design Leader to lead the team through all phases by guiding, advising and mentoring other designers on project work, developing design direction and leading critiques.
• Acts as a primary interface with clients for the studio, building and strengthening connections through a comprehensive understanding of their mission, goals, policies, needs and progress.
• Manages client expectations, team communication and consultant coordination for the studio in collaboration with project team leadership.
• Monitors staffing, utilization and growth management across the studio, including recommending adjustments where necessary.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the studio relating to all staff, business and financial operations.
• Serves as a technical resource for the studio, assisting in the resolution of complex problems, and helping them grow in their roles.
• Reviews conceptual development and, in collaboration with Studio Design Leader, provides leadership, inspiration and motivation to the design team to ensure that the highest quality design documentation is produced and client satisfaction is achieved.
• Partners with Office Director as a liaison between firm leadership and staff, communicating firm and regional initiatives and priorities.
• Emphasizes and incorporates HKS strategic priorities, such as Design Measures, into client solutions.
• Operates with “ONE Firm” mindset, minimizing sector and operational variables within the office in collaboration with Regional Practice Director.
• Integrates HKS services, expertise and innovation in all projects, while actively seeking opportunities to incorporate HKS best practices, sustainable design solutions, subject matter expertise and resources strategically and efficiently for the client, user and community.
• Exercises skills of persuasion and negotiation on critical issues.
• Travel will be required.

Qualifications

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or related field, or relevant years in education or experience.
• Licensure or certification in chosen field preferred.
• Experience with Health projects preferred.
• Typically 15+ years of experience, including a leadership role with demonstrated success in both project work and talent/resource development.
• Significant experience in the practice area of the studio.
• Sustainable design accreditation preferred.
• Familiarity with the capability and benefits of design-related software.
• Familiarity with the functionality of Vision.
• Experience in MS Office Suite, including Microsoft Project and Microsoft Teams preferred.
• Proficiency in logistics management, including connecting people and resources to the right place at the right time.
• Successful track record in directing and providing leadership for design teams from business development presentations through developing strategy and design concepts.
• Successful track record in building, nurturing and fostering new client relationships.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Strong leadership, organization, communication and relationship management skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work on multiple projects at the same time.
• Ability to work closely with design leaders to promote an inter-disciplinary design approach and philosophy, and to facilitate its advancement across the firm.
• Ability to manage teams with a diplomatic and collaborative leadership style that values relationships and collaboration, both internal and external.
• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and professional manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to problem solve and apply innovative solutions.
• Ability to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment.
• Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.

Equal Employment Opportunity

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran. HKS, Inc. provides reasonable accommodation in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities.