Senior Design Leader

This role is located in Chicago, IL

Job Description 

BKV Group seeks is an innovative, collaborative and engaging Senior Design Leader who is highly skilled in all phases of the architectural design process to join our team in Chicago, IL. This individual provides guidance to junior design team members and coordinates with the Managing Partners, Practice Leaders and project teams in developing innovative design solutions that support client goals. The Senior Design Leader’s area of expertise and focus include design leadership of Multi-Family (Affordable and/or Market-Rate), Student Living, Senior Living, and Mixed-use projects, and/or public sector government projects such as fire stations, city halls, courthouses, public safety facilities, recreation centers, etc.

  • Design and Project Leadership
    • Lead the design of large complex projects while supporting a creative culture of design at the regional practice sites, overseeing the full design process from concept to delivery.
    • Collaborate with the project team in planning the layout of projects and determining the functional and spatial requirements of new ground up projects or renovations.
    • Create initial design concepts and develop them throughout the phases of the project, while staying within the parameters of the client’s construction budget.
    • Prepare project design presentations for client review and approval, in coordination with the Practice Leader and project team.
    • Promote BKV’s “holistic multi-disciplinary approach” with a unified design solution that meets the client’s objectives.
    • Support marketing efforts as requested by the Managing Partners, Practice Leaders and Business Developers to attract new clients and maintain existing clients.
  • Mentoring and Training
    • Share knowledge and expertise with staff.  Mentor junior team members to encourage and support professional growth and development related to innovative design solutions.
    • Coordinate with the VPO and Managing Partners for mentoring and training opportunities for BKV staff.
    • Support leadership in creating a collaborative, design-focused culture with opportunities for feedback, charettes, presentation opportunities, etc.
  • Design Systems and Innovation
    • Support implementation of design standards, guidelines and best practices where appropriate to support client and BKV goals.
    • Stay up to date with industry trends and advancement in design tools and practices.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor or Master of Architecture Degree, or equivalent.
  • Professional license in architecture preferred.
  • 15-20+ years’ progressive experience related to architectural design leadership.
  • Thorough attention to detail, highly effective communicator, presenter and collaborator, with excellent people leadership and design skills.
  • Experience with Sketchup, Revit, Bluebeam, BIM360, and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Certification or experience in sustainable building design a plus.

BKV Group has a 40+year history of design excellence, winning more than 190 regional and national awards to date. We are passionate about how innovation and creative design can shape communities for the better – enhancing the economic, aesthetic, social, and environmental context. As a holistic national design firm, we bring a full complement of architecture, interior design, urban design, engineering, landscape architecture, and construction administration services together to collaborate from project kick-off to closeout. The diverse perspectives formed from this collaboration help us make better design decisions and are the keys to our success. We value being open, honest, genuine, and thoughtful with each other, our clients, community stakeholders, and consultants.

With excellent benefits, competitive salaries, a hybrid work schedule, and continuous opportunities for growth, we give you the tools to achieve your goals. We believe in a collegial, engaging, opportunistic, and fun working environment and are always interested in connecting with talented individuals who share our passion for enriching lives and strengthening communities. Sound like a fit? We want to hear from you!

BKV Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

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