Architectural Design Lead

Job Title: Design Director Job Description The Design Director leads the design department and oversees the creative and technical aspects of every project from contract through permitting. This role ensures that all designs meet client expectations and internal standards, and that projects are delivered on schedule and within budget. As a key member of the strategic leadership team reporting to the CEO, the Design Director collaborates closely with business operations, construction leadership, clients, and external design professionals to keep projects moving efficiently and clients well served. The successful candidate is a strategic, organized leader who builds strong teams and processes, and takes ownership of results. Responsibilities

- Lead, mentor, and develop the design team, setting clear priorities, schedules, and expectations.
- Hold the design team accountable to company design standards, quality benchmarks, and best practices.
- Build a culture of continuous improvement through training, coaching, and staff expertise development.
- Contribute to overall company strategy as an active member of the leadership team.
- Direct the design of each project from contract through permitting, ensuring seamless execution.
- Ensure all designs meet client expectations, applicable building codes, and internal company standards.
- Coordinate closely with construction, estimating, and operations teams on budget, schedule, and project handoff.
- Collaborate with outside architects, engineers, and consultants to resolve design issues and maintain design integrity.
- Manage the design pipeline management system to track the phase of every job from contracting through permitting.
- Maintain and review a design job progress table to ensure visibility into the status of all active projects.
- Report department progress, pipeline status, and results to the CEO and CFO on a regular basis.
- Document and standardize design processes so they are consistent, repeatable, and ready for ongoing improvement.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of department and project planning software and tools.
- Own the customer contact strategy to ensure every client receives regular, proactive communication.
- Present designs to owners, developers, and design professionals, building strong, long-term client relationships.
- Work with the CEO and CFO to set objectives covering financial targets, process improvements, staff development, and strategic company goals.
- Demonstrate integrity, accountability, and a commitment to excellence in all leadership and design decisions.
- Support and promote a culture that values teamwork, craftsmanship, safety, and continuous improvement.

Essential Skills

- Minimum of 10+ years of design-related experience, including experience leading a design team.
- Proven success delivering commercial design projects from contract through permitting.
- Strong understanding of building systems, construction methods, and building codes.
- Demonstrated ability to manage design processes, track a project pipeline, and report on results.
- Excellent leadership skills with the ability to mentor, develop, and hold teams accountable.
- Strong communication and client-facing skills, including the ability to present designs and manage client relationships.
- Effective organizational and project management skills to handle multiple concurrent projects.
- Business acumen and comfort working toward financial targets and departmental objectives.
- Proficiency with design and project planning software.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools for reporting, documentation, and communication.
- Experience with architectural design and technical design for commercial projects.
- Experience in construction documentation and construction administration.
- Ability to manage client communication and client relationship management in a commercial design context.
- Experience with Revit and Revit Architecture or similar design tools.
- Experience in commercial design environments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- Experience with design-build commercial construction projects.
- Experience designing amenity centers, clubhouses, pools, recreational buildings, or similar facilities.
- Experience working on housing developments and with homebuilder or developer clients.
- Bachelors degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or a related field.
- Strong skills in architecture and construction document preparation.
- Experience collaborating with architects, engineers, and external consultants.
- Ability to contribute to the development and improvement of project planning software and systems.
- Demonstrated commitment to integrity, accountability, and excellence in design leadership.
- Interest in helping shape the future direction and strategy of a growing company.
- Ability to foster teamwork, craftsmanship, safety, and continuous improvement within the department.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Apex, NC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $135000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. 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
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Apex, NC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 28, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Apex,NC. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.