Design Director

About Us

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

HDR is in search of a Design Director to join our Arlington practice and continue the legacy of providing our clients and communities with creative design solutions that improve the health and human condition of those they serve. HDR is home to world-class expertise and the Design Director serves as our client's conduit to those capabilities.

The primary responsibility of the Design Director is to champion design excellence for our Federal practice. This individual must be capable of developing highly innovative, creative, integrated and effective design solutions. Must have an established design reputation evident through design awards, publications, education or other venues, and positive client references. Has the ability to guide initial design concepts and ideas from pursuit and selection through successful project completion on multiple projects. Capable of meeting design excellence goals while meeting management goals and project budgets. Must have the proven initiative to teach and train other designers and interdisciplinary AE project teams in the essentials of design excellence and in the critical tenets of HDR's Design Philosophy. Effective in mentoring and developing junior design staff, challenging, inspiring and/or motivating others to join in the constant pursuit of design excellence.

Will be a key design leader at HDR who must have the vision and attitude to lead design efforts while effectively partnering with the Federal Sector Lead, office management, project management, and AEP discipline leaders on all efforts. Must be capable of identifying, attracting and retaining key design staff, and will be responsible for targeting and developing strategies for hiring senior and junior design talent. Must be active in local, national or international professional design related organizations.

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• Bachelors Degree in Architecture or closely related field.
• A minimum of 15 years experience functioning as a lead designer on a variety of federal project scales and complexities.
• Maintains professional architectural registration.
• Proven track record of winning project pursuits and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Experience in leading a collaborative, iterative design process with clients and colleagues.
• Experience and/or interest in integrating sustainable building design.
• Demonstrated experience with the Design Excellence Program as operated through the GSA's Public Buildings Service (PBS).
• Excellent leadership and mentoring skills.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Must be capable of leading a team and making client presentations.
• Ability to collaborate and integrate with existing team.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.

Why HDR

At HDR, we know work isn't only about who you work for; it's also about what you do and how you do it. Led by the strength of our values and a culture shaped by employee ownership, we network with each other, build on each other's contributions, and collaborate together to make great things possible. When you join HDR, we give you license to do the same. We help you take charge of your career, giving you multiple growth opportunities along the way.