Design Director - Hospitality & Retail

Your Role    

Gensler is at the forefront of transformative design solutions that drive change and deliver exceptional value for our clients. Our commitment to innovation, creativity, and impactful design outcomes has positioned us as a leader in the industry. We are seeking a visionary Design Director who is passionate about pushing the boundaries of design to lead our talented team and elevate our client solutions.   

Design Directors play a crucial role in shaping the creative direction of our projects and guiding a diverse team of designers across various disciplines. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of design principles and a proven track record of delivering exceptional results that resonate with project stakeholders. This individual will be responsible for ensuring that our design outcomes not only meet but exceed client expectations, resulting in groundbreaking and meaningful design solutions that drive value creation and successful outcomes.    

What You Will Do    

• Leadership & Strategy: Provide visionary leadership for the design team, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. Develop and implement strategic design initiatives that align with client goals and business objectives.    

• Client Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, understanding their needs and objectives to deliver compelling design solutions. Act as the primary point of contact for major projects, ensuring clear communication and satisfaction.   

• Mentor, Coach and Support Growth: Guide designers in discovering their strengths, mentor and coach to enhance and develop design skills. Provide open communication, active listening, and thoughtful questioning to unleash the potential of talent and teams within our People First culture.   

• Creative Direction: Oversee design projects from concept through execution, ensuring that creative ideas are innovative, impactful, and aligned with the firm’s high standards. Mentor and inspire the design team to explore new ideas and concepts.    

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Collaborate with other communities within the firm, including practice area/subject matter experts, client relationship leaders, and regional leadership, to integrate various perspectives into the design process and enhance the overall project delivery.    

• Quality Assurance: Ensure all design deliverables are of exceptional quality and meet the firm’s standards for creativity, aesthetics, and functionality. Conduct regular reviews and provide constructive feedback to the design team.    

• Market Trends & Innovation: Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive insights. Bring fresh ideas and innovations to the table that ensure the firm remains a leader in design excellence and is well represented and published in the marketplace.    

Your Qualifications    

• Current NCIDQ certification as an Interior Designer or Licensed Architect required   

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Architecture, Fine Arts, or a related field.   

• LEED Accreditation, preferred.    

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in design, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a large or renowned design firm.    

• Proficient in Revit, SketchUp and Enscape preferred.  

• Proven track record of delivering successful, innovative design outcomes in the Hospitality and/or Retail space, that have had a significant impact on client