Philadelphia, USA
Director of architecture and design
FKB is hiring a director of architecture and design to join its team in Philadelphia, USA.
Us
FKB is a cutting edge and innovative design and fabrication company specializing in creating immersive spaces. FKB is where design, engineering, architecture, manufacturing, and installation come together. Our strengths come from the versatile design and fabrication team that takes the project from concept to installation. FKB is a true industry leader in taking care of its employees with a generous health care package and generous paid time off. Come join us in designing the future.
You
A motivated individual whose passion is curating unique environments and is looking to lead a dynamic team dedicated to top quality projects for diverse clients, atmospheres, and environments. You love a challenge and are able to pivot in fast-paced environments while appropriately managing you and your team’s time and priorities and holding professionalism and respect to fellow co-workers, vendors, business partners and clients.
More about the technical stuff
Summary
FKB is looking to hire a full-time, permanent director of design to act as the leading member of the design team in the firm. The design director’s main objective is to oversee all design and design related innovation aspects of the company’s products and services, including architectural design, product design, graphic design, user experience design, and industrial design. Working with the CEO and other executive/director level members, this role will help set the trajectory for the company’s design strategy. The design director will foster an energetic environment, constantly pushing the company, employees, and it’s tools to be a step above the competition. This role will always be in pursuit of being at the forefront of design and fabrication, and will lead design teams to strategize and implement the best ways of achieving these goals for the company.
Candidates must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. This opportunity is based in Philadelphia, and some travel (mostly local) may be required. Please apply with your resume, portfolio and cover letter.
Duties and responsibilities:
- acting as the lead for the design team; assisting the principal with setting the creative direction of the firm while also delegating to and managing other members of the design team
- supervision – motivate, coach, and supervise creative teams while challenging and introducing new and innovative methods of creative execution. This also includes administrative aspects of supervision such as managing their time and monitoring their time off
- developing workforce plans – putting the right design team member in the right position to ensure skills are matched to the project – looking for gaps in efficiency/increasing efficiency
- design development – continually strategizing and developing the company’s role in experience design, digital fabrication, and architecture
- manages projects through full design process, including meeting with project managers, production coordinators and designers as necessary to plan schedule, process, and personnel for each project
- responsible for coherent translation of client needs in the design to the shop floor for proper execution
- works closely with the CEO to ensure the business development cycle is running full circle and keeping to original promises to client
- budget management for materials and labor; liaising with project managers and production coordinators on this effort
- setting the example of high quality design aesthetic and practices to set standards for the rest of the team
- very clearly communicates and collaborates with clients, vendors, and internal teammates
- professionally and politely manages expectations for clients, and filters this communication to other vendors as appropriate
Qualifications:
- minimum seven to ten years’ in a lead, head or director position with supervisory experience
- minimum seven to ten years’ general design experience
- bachelor’s of science in architecture or bachelor’s of architecture; or a bachelor’s degree in interior design; or a bachelor’s degree in industrial design required
- licensed architect strongly preferred, but not required
- master’s degree preferred but not required
- administrative and supervisory experience required
- ability to supervise and have tough conversations with staff
- exudes leadership qualities and skills, including the ability to act as a team player, act appropriately and remain organized when under pressure and tight deadlines
- extensive shop experience preferred
- understanding design process and how it relates to assembly
- exceptional organizational skills
- proven leadership skills and experience running teams under schedule and within budget
- direct communication skills, ability to cross functionally collaborate
- problem solving skills in a rapidly evolving environment
- clear and focused communication skills to clients and vendors; ability to communicate to clients and vendors both professionally and appropriately
- ability to appropriately and professionally manage client expectations
- comfortable working with a diverse range of materials and in diverse environments/settings
- strong critical thinking and problem solving skills
- strong design sense and creative abilities to assist in the design process
- knowledge base of rigging, driving trucks, forklifts and other heavy equipment preferred
- able to multitask in a fast-paced environment
- able to work late nights and weekends as needed
- ability to pivot into different projects that are in different stages/phases
- able to produce quality construction and permit drawings, architectural drawings
- proficient in Auto Desk applications including Revit and AutoCAD, preferably three to five years’
- experience with parametric software such as Grasshopper is preferred but not required
- experience in digital fabrication is required
- strong understanding of current applicable building codes
- experience conducting site surveys and anticipating any foreseeable obstacles
- experience with selecting materials and design finishes
FKB is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment or business practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.