Job Description

Your Role  

As a Gensler Design Director, you will lead collaborative teams dedicated to innovation and excellence in design delivery. Use your unique design perspective to bring new approaches to the design process and strategy, and help clients reimagine and redesign what's possible.

You will oversee the implementation of best practices across the team and develop talent for the future. At Gensler, we create emotional connections through meaningful design solutions that positively impact and change people's everyday experiences. You will drive a culture of curiosity that transforms expectations for our clients, peers, and communities. The Design Director will transform expectations. This multifaceted role focuses on design, strategic planning & support, with a primary focus on being accountable for Design Excellence in all aspects of a project. We are accepting applications from Latin America; however, this position will be based out of our San José, Costa Rica office.

What You Will Do

• Lead the creative efforts on client architecture projects, from programming and strategic planning to design development and production. 

• Act as the primary design interface with clients and consultants, representing Gensler at meetings and presentations. 

• Participate in client development, marketing, and project interview efforts.

• Champion diversity and inclusion goals. 

• Act as an advocate and mentor for Gensler’s next generation of talent, building Gensler’s talent pipeline through recruiting and outreach with local design communities and universities. 

• Direct all design aspects of the projects and proactively participate in design quality across the studio while maintaininghigh standards of design. 

• Act as the climate champion for the project, establishing an impactful design direction to ensure climate goals can be met. 

• Active participation in environmental and social impact conversationsthat take place at the start of projects.

• Advocate for a sustainable design approach and promote environmentally conscious design practices. 

• Make Design Resilience and Design Purpose an integral part of every project. 

• Fearlessly integrate and advocate for diverse points of view and expansive thinking, collaborating with all design synergy axes to ensure true synergy on projects. 

• Advance the understanding that design resilience is the responsibility of every person at Gensler. 

• Capable of conducting strategic conversations with clients about sustainability goals.

• Understand the social and environmental impact of design solutions in your area of practice.

• Direct the team to the right resources for developing the impact assessments on projects.

• Collaborate with Design Technology and Design Resilience specialists to incorporate best practices in the design modelling process

• Advocate for the benefits of our IP tools (GBlox, GFloorz, GPlanet) with our clients and project teams.

• Promote the integration of DT workflows and tools from start to finish.

• Cultivate design expertise with the desire to learn, grow, and evolve continually. 

• Participate in client and consultant meetings. 

• Effectively communicate design ideas by hand sketching and digital graphics. 

• Hold the ultimate responsibility for overall design quality for all projects they are directing. Represent expertise in all project phases, take calculated risks, and lead teams into uncharted explorations. 

• Assure mentoring the next generation of leadership. 

• Continually improve design culture within studios (resources, discourse, initiatives, and recruiting)

• Participate in external promotional efforts regarding design, including leadership within the design community. Assure a collaborative and integrated approach toward working with other disciplines in the studio. 

 Your Qualifications  

• Bachelor's or master's degree in architecture.

• 10-15 years of experience, with at least 10 years of recent workspace sector focused interior design experience with responsibilities as described above. 

• Demonstrate knowledge of construction and regulations and building and zoning codes.  

• Significant, demonstrable experience in leading teams to deliver projects through all stages, including Construction Administration.  Experience with Revit, Bluebeam Revu, and MS Office.

• Proven knowledge of construction codes and regulations.  

• Experience in leading and mentoring multiple project teams in technical delivery concurrently.  

• Flexibility to focus on concurrent projects in various stages of development.  

• Excellent written and verbal communication and the ability to lead and mentor.  

• Must be able to maintain existing client relationships and build new ones through excellent delivery and technical guidance.  

• Ability to handle difficult situations with tact, grace, and style.

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include subsidized health and life insurance, annual bonus, LinkedIn learning, holiday observance, and employee assistance programs.

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future