Studio Practice Leader, Mental & Behavioral Health

HKS, Inc.; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & vision coverage

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

HKS, Inc. invites a seasoned leader to head the Mental & Behavioral Health Studio, directing multiple project teams in design, development and delivery for diverse clients.

You will lead strategic planning, allocate resources, mentor designers, and drive high‑quality documentation and client satisfaction across several projects and markets.

Qualifications

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Oversees projects within the studio focusing on process, delivery, and documentation.
• Collaborates on strategic planning and resource allocation with studio leadership.
• Partners with studios to advance firm and office goals.
• Guides projects from programming through delivery with design direction.
• Mentors designers and leads critiques to ensure high quality documentation.
• Maintains strong client liaison, understanding goals, policies and progress.
• Manages client expectations, team communication, and consultant coordination.
• Monitors staffing, utilization, and growth across the studio.
• Evaluates studio efficiency across staff, business and financial operations.
• Provides technical support and problem solving for design teams.
• Drives design quality and client satisfaction through leadership and inspiration.
• Communicates firm initiatives between leadership and staff.
• Incorporates sustainable design and best practices into projects.
• Leads with a One Firm mindset to minimize internal variables.
• Supports interdisciplinary design approach across the firm.
• Persuades and negotiates on critical issues.
• Travel will be required.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Communication

Team mentoring

Project management

Presentations

Education

Accredited professional degree

Licensure or certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Teams

MS Office Suite

Vision functionality

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 Mental & Behavioral Health 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 respective core studio by focusing on the project process, service/delivery, work environment and project documentation
• Collaborates in strategic planning and facilitates communication for the practice with other leaders, such as vetting studio marketing strategy and allocating needed resources
• Partners with studios 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 guide the team through all phases by advising and mentoring other designers on project work, developing design direction and leading critiques
• Acts as a primary interface with clients for the studio, strengthening connections through a comprehensive understanding of their mission, goals, policies, needs and progress
• Manages client expectations, team communication and consultant coordination in collaboration with project team leadership
• Monitors staffing, utilization and growth management across the studio, recommending adjustments where necessary
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the studio in all staff, business and financial operations
• Serves as a technical resource, assisting in the resolution of complex problems and helping team members grow in their roles
• Reviews conceptual development and, with the Studio Design Leader, provides leadership, inspiration and motivation to the design team to ensure the highest quality design documentation and client satisfaction
• Partners with Office Directors as 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 an “ONE Firm” mindset, minimizing sector and operational variables within the office in collaboration with the Global Practice Director
• Integrates HKS services, expertise and innovation in all projects, actively seeking opportunities to incorporate 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

Qualifications

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, related field, or relevant years in education or experience
• Licensure or certification in the chosen field preferred
• Typically 15+ years of experience, including a leadership role with demonstrated success in project work and talent/resource development
• Significant experience in the practice area of the studio, including the planning and design of full‑spectrum inpatient and outpatient mental and behavioral health facilities. Subject‑matter expertise required in private and public civil and forensic facilities, including maximum security; in Substance and addiction treatment and recovery centers; MBH Crisis Intervention/EMPATH facilities; neuro‑diverse and age‑associated criteria from pediatrics through geriatric; facilities for adults with learning disabilities; and general familiarity with emerging treatment therapies and modalities
• Sustainable design accreditation preferred
• Familiarity with design‑related software and its benefits preferred
• Familiarity with Vision functionality
• Experience with MS Office Suite, including Microsoft Project and Microsoft Teams preferred
• Proficiency in logistics management, 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 strategy and design concept development
• Successful track record in building, nurturing and fostering new client relationships
• Excellent presentation skills
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication and relationship‑management skills
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work closely with design leaders to promote an inter‑disciplinary design approach and philosophy, and to advance it across the firm
• Ability to manage a team with a diplomatic and collaborative leadership style that values relationships and collaboration, internally and externally
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and professionally 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 meet deadlines with expected quality
• Travel will be required

Base Salary Range: $140-175k annually – Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Richmond, Seattle and Washington DC locations only.

The estimate displayed represents the general base salary range of candidates hired in the listed locations only. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary include internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

HKS offers a comprehensive total compensation & benefits package with health, dental, and vision care coverage, 401(k) plans, life & AD&D insurance, short/long term disability plans, paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, vacation), and much more for benefits‑eligible employees. To learn more about our benefits visit this page.

If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal.

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran