Director of Design

About D. Clugston, Inc.

At D. Clugston, Inc., we build more than commercial buildings, we build lasting relationships with our clients, employees, and trade partners. Our Director of Design leads with integrity, accountability, and a commitment to excellence, and helps shape where the company goes next. We value teamwork, craftsmanship, safety, and continuous improvement. If you want to lead a design department, build the processes that make it great, and grow your career with a respected design-build contractor, we encourage you to apply.

About the Role

D. Clugston, Inc. is seeking an experienced Director of Design to lead our design department and oversee the creative and technical side of every project, from contract through permitting. The Director of Design ensures our designs meet client expectations and company standards, and delivers them on schedule and within budget. This position reports to the CEO and serves as a member of the strategic leadership team. The Director works closely with the CEO, Business Operations Manager, Director of Construction, clients, and outside design professionals to keep projects moving and clients well served. The ideal candidate is a strategic, organized leader who builds strong teams and processes, takes ownership of results, and is committed to being the best in the industry at designing and building amenity features that attract homeowners to our clients' housing developments.

Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the design team, and set clear priorities and schedules.
• Hold the team accountable to company design standards and quality.
• Build a culture of constant improvement through training and staff expertise development.
• Contribute to company strategy as a member of the leadership team.

Project Design & Delivery

• Direct the design of each project from contract through permitting.
• Ensure designs meet client expectations, applicable codes, and company standards.
• Coordinate with Build, Estimating, and Operations on budget, schedule, and handoff.
• Coordinate with outside architects, engineers, and consultants on design issues.

Pipeline & Progress Tracking

• Manage the pipeline management system and meet department objectives.
• Maintain a design job progress table showing the phase of every job between contracting and permitting.
• Report department progress and results to the CEO, Business Operations Manager and CFO.

Process & Systems

• Document and baseline design processes so they are consistent and can be improved.
• Contribute to the development of department and project planning software.

Client Relationships

• Own the customer contact strategy so every client is regularly tended.
• Present designs and build strong relationships with owners, developers, and design professionals.

Objectives & Performance

• Work with the CEO and CFO to set objectives covering financial targets, process improvements, staff development, and company strategic goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of design-related experience, including leading a design team.
• Proven success delivering commercial design projects from contract through permitting.
• Strong understanding of building systems, construction methods, and building codes.
• Ability to manage processes, track a project pipeline, and report on results.
• Excellent leadership, communication, client-facing, and organizational skills.
• Business acumen and comfort working to financial targets.
• Proficiency with design and project planning software and Microsoft Office.
• Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or a related field.

Required Skills

• Design-related experience, including leading a design team.
• Delivering commercial design projects from contract through permitting.
• Understanding of building systems, construction methods, and building codes.
• Managing processes, tracking a project pipeline, and reporting on results.
• Leadership, communication, client-facing, and organizational skills.
• Business acumen and comfort working to financial targets.
• Proficiency with design and project planning software.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with design-build commercial construction.
• Experience with amenity centers, clubhouses, pools, recreational buildings, or similar projects.
• Experience with housing developments and homebuilder or developer clients.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Performance-based bonus tied to reaching objectives
• Employer-covered medical insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Leadership team role with direct access to the CEO