People Operations & Talent Champion (DES Architects + Engineers)

WHAT YOU’LL DO

DES is looking for an experienced design professional leading creative direction, managing a design team, and ensuring high-quality, cohesive visuals across all touchpoints. An opportunity to play a key role in driving the firm’s growth as a boutique design leader, bringing vision and innovation to every project. You will collaborate cross-functionally to align design objectives, manage the design process, mentor designers, and oversee budgets and timelines while maintaining a strong focus on user needs and brand identity.

• Establish and communicate a clear design vision, ensuring consistency across all design outputs and maintaining high design standards
• Create initial site diagrams to validate site and building capacity based on all client information, and city planning requirements, etc.
• Oversee the design process from concept development to final implementation, including managing project timelines, budgets, and quality control
• Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to understand their needs, present design concepts, and secure buy-in on design decisions
• Advocate for user-centered design principles, incorporating user feedback into design iterations to optimize user experience
• Direct and participate in client meetings, presentations, and site visits as appropriate
• Stay abreast of emerging design trends and technologies to incorporate innovative design solutions
• Work closely with other departments like marketing, project management, and engineering to ensure seamless integration of design solutions
• Possess advanced knowledge in core disciplines with the ability to provide high level expert guidance and directional leadership to teams
• Lead, inspire, mentor, develop, and partner with team members to achieve project success
• Provide constructive feedback to designers on their work, ensuring alignment with design standards and project goals
• Play a leadership role during the conceptual design and entitlements phase of the projects guiding the team in collaboration with the Project Manager
• Participate in the successful development of new and existing business, build trusted client and partner relationships, crafting pursuit and relationship management strategies in partnership with leadership and the marketing team, aligning with the firm’s goals and values
• Represents the firm externally in the industry and broader business and client community as required
• Proactively manage additional scope and fee, building trust with the client throughout the project process
• Ensure projects are on time, on budget and of exceptional quality

Requirements

• Minimum of 10-15 years of architectural experience
• Bachelor’s degree in architecture or equivalent
• Experience in two or more of the following market sectors: Healthcare, Education, Life Science, workplace and tech
• Strong design sensibility, with a keen eye for proportions, scale, color, materiality, etc.
• Comprehensive knowledge of architectural practices with an emphasis on programming, planning, design, planning codes, building materials, and construction methodologies
• Expert knowledge in conceptual design, master planning, and in the entitlement process
• Strong background in master planning with a focus on complex, multi-building sites required
• A deep passion for design, embracing projects of varying scales and scopes with creativity and adaptability
• Proficient in visual design principles, typography, color theory, and user interface (UI) design
• Ability to motivate and inspire a design team, delegate tasks effectively, and foster a collaborative environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication, business acumen and presentations skills to effectively present design ideas to clients and stakeholders
• Ability to identify design challenges, analyze user needs, and develop creative solutions
• Perform effectively under pressure, quickly developing creative and strategic concepts
• Proficiency in the technical skills of the following computer skills:
  o MS Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook and Project
  o Proficient in Revit and Sketchup and/or other 3D modeling tools
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities/projects and develop business relationships
• Hybrid work environment, work onsite in our Redwood City or San Francisco office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without any restrictions or requirement of sponsorship now or in the future

The typical pay range for this position is $120,000 – $165,000 in total compensation. Compensation depends on the individual's skills, experience, education, and geographic location.

Our Purpose

Born and bred in the Bay Area, DES shares the trailblazing spirit of Silicon Valley. As an integrated design firm, we collaborate between disciplines, from architecture and interior design to planning and engineering. We are here to cross boundaries. The clients we attract span technology, education, life science, healthcare, and real estate development. We cross-pollinate insights, designing solutions special to each project and informed by the full breadth of our experience. Research centers can inspire startup facilities. Social spaces can shape wellness clinics. Tech campuses can transform the urban places of tomorrow.

It all starts with the partnership, a give-and-take of ideas. Bring us your site, budget, and brief. Bring on the unexpected, the unexplored, the uncertain. Where others see limitations, we see possibilities. We believe a process that’s agile and flexible produces a place that is the same. A place that’s designed for working and playing, healing and learning, dreaming and doing. A place that inspires people to make it their own.

Life at DES

DES is committed to the well-being of our team members and their families. We support a healthy lifestyle and work-life balance.

Benefits you will be eligible for:

• Competitive salary & annual bonuses
• 100% company-paid options for employee medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 100% company-paid short & long-term disability benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution
• Commuter & parking benefits
• Legal consultation & advice
• Identity theft
• Supplemental life insurance & critical illness plans
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Standard & choice holidays
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• Pet Insurance
• Credit Union
• Robust 401k plan with a generous company match and profit sharing
• Training & career development opportunities
• Annual career development stipend
• 100% Professional licensing & renewal fees
• Licenses & certification bonuses
• Hybrid work schedule working onsite Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
• Collaborative, friendly, fun, and enriching environment for our team to thrive and grow!

We are proud and committed to being an equal opportunity employer. We welcome, recognize, celebrate, and encourage diversity and inclusion in our workplace. Our teams are comprised of people with experiences from diverse backgrounds which helps us gain a fresh perspective while challenging our own thinking about design. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

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