Senior Project Designer

Work at HMC•Los Angeles, CA

21d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Project Designer will be a prominent creative leader for the office and company, and will plan, coordinate, and lead the design efforts for various sized projects. Coordinate and produce design presentation material, and coordinate the design intent with the production and documentation of construction documents. Coordinate with the construction administration of the project and maintain design intent during construction. Has primary responsibility for client contact. Strong ability to multi-task and prioritize. Ability to oversee two to three project designers and several junior design staff.

Requirements

Architectural degree from an accredited university.
Minimum of ten (10) years of architectural design experience, including significant involvement in the production and coordination of major design projects.
Demonstrated leadership in architectural design and strong ability to guide teams, communicate effectively, and manage complex project workflows.
Proven ability to lead design direction on complex projects, guide design teams, and uphold high standards of creativity, clarity, and technical rigor.
Strong understanding of building systems, materials, construction methods, and applicable building codes; demonstrated ability to oversee and provide input during Construction Documentation and Construction Administration phases.
Ability to plan and manage project tasks, estimate hours, meet deadlines, and work within established budgets while coordinating closely with project managers and senior leadership.
Experience serving as a primary point of contact for clients, maintaining strong professional relationships, and providing consistent follow-through on project needs.
Experience supervising, mentoring, and developing junior staff; ability to provide constructive feedback and foster a positive learning environment.
Experience supporting or leading marketing efforts, preparing proposals and presentation materials, and participating in client interviews to secure new work.

Responsibilities

Produce and oversee documentation including meeting minutes, correspondence, design narratives, diagrams, and training materials; ensure compliance with agreements, fees, and deliverables.
Participate in business development activities, cultivate new clients, lead marketing interviews, and write/approve marketing proposals and materials.
Communicate complex design concepts clearly through verbal, written, and graphic methods; lead and organize client-facing presentations and serve as a primary client contact.
Collaborate effectively with project teams, consultants, and government agencies; resolve design conflicts and maintain strong working relationships.
Provide leadership through coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback to assigned team members; supervise and manage 47 design staff and multiple project design teams.
Delegate tasks effectively and professionally; support senior leadership in staff supervision, evaluations, and performance management.
Plan, prioritize, and manage work activities; develop schedules, estimate task hours, and complete work within budget; collaborate closely with project leadership.
Lead design efforts during Schematic Design and Design Development; ensure design integrity throughout all project phases and across multiple projects and studios.
Demonstrate creativity aligned with core design principles; perform environmental analyses; oversee 3D modeling, material research, and preparation of presentation materials.
Promote design quality and the firms design reputation through critiques, charrettes, awards submissions, and publications.
Maintain technical proficiency in contract documents, building systems, construction methods, and applicable codes; guide development of drawings, details, specifications, and materials selection.
Coordinate with agencies through plan check processes; lead construction-phase design intent, cost estimating coordination, and field verification efforts.
Provide technical training and mentorship to support the growth of staff capabilities.