What are the responsibilities and job description for the Design Director – Architecture – Aviation position at HNTB?

What We're Looking For

At HNTB, you can create a career that is meaningful to you while building communities that matter to all of us. For more than a century, we have been delivering solutions for some of the largest, most complex infrastructure projects across the country. With our historic growth, it is an exciting time to join our team of employee-owners.

This opportunity entails being responsible for achieving the firm’s design goals by providing leadership, creativity, and mentorship throughout the practice. This role establishes foundational design goals and values serving select market sectors or specialized discipline in support of firmwide philosophy, values, and principles governed by the Chief Design Officer and other practice-wide leadership. This role serves as a primary source of leadership and accountability for the consistency, quality and innovation within the role’s market and / or discipline focus. Design Directors also foster a positive creative culture across all studios and with clients to ensure the delivery of high-quality design work across the organization.

What You’ll Do :

Define and lead the vision for client-centered design in airport and airline facilities.
Develop strategies for cohesive and scalable design across major and regional aviation projects.
Champion passenger experience enhancements in terminal design.
Emphasize the integration of technology and sustainability within aviation projects.
Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver future-ready aviation infrastructure.
Drive design solutions that balance operational efficiency with aesthetic excellence.
Support the advancement of airport planning and terminal flow design strategies.
Lead initiatives to redefine the traveler experience through innovative spatial design.
Promote the firm’s reputation in aviation design through strategic outreach and industry thought leadership.

What You’ll Need :

Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Planning as appropriate to the specific core practice and 15 years of experience in progressively responsible positions, ideally with a large, multi-discipline firm.

10 years’ experience in design of complex projects.

Essential Functions :

Support and maintain foundational design philosophy, values, and principles applicable across all markets, ensuring alignment with the firm’s goals and strategies.

Coordinate with the Chief Design Officer and Office Design Leaders to deliver a consistently high-quality design product, achieving the firm’s "4 for 4" standards (quality, on time, on budget, and client satisfaction).

Facilitate regular design reviews to ensure project performance and encourage a positive creative culture within the roles market focus.

Participate in the National Design Council to develop and implement firm-wide design strategies and initiatives.

Maintain strong relationships with academia, industry partners, and professional organizations to foster thought leadership and design research.

Oversee the implementation of investment strategies in design research, technology, sustainability, and marketing to differentiate client services within the market or discipline focus area.

Represent the firm at the national and international level within professional societies, conferences, and media outlets to enhance its design reputation.

Actively participate in pursuit strategies and interviews for large-scale projects across all market sectors, ensuring the firm’s design excellence is evident.

Mentor and supervise design staff to attract, develop, and retain talented professionals, contributing to the growth of the design culture.

Collaborate with business development teams to maximize quality design reputation and align strategies with client and market needs.

Drive recruitment strategies focused on artistic talent and technical capability.

Ensure the integration of visual and physical branding in partnership with marketing teams and the Chief Design Officer.

Provide strategic direction on large-scale project activities, including design vision, implementation, and team oversight.

Ensure all pursuits and active assignments have a designated designer with sufficient time in the workplan to facilitate a proper design oversight.

Preferred Qualifications :

Master’s Degree in Architecture or related field.

20 years of experience, including leadership roles.

Professional registration (AIA, NCARB, etc.) in good standing.

Recognized industry thought leader with a robust network of professional relationships.

Extensive network of professional relationships within the architecture and design industry.

Competencies :

Proven experience in the design of major projects with a strong track record of success.

Exceptional leadership and mentorship skills.

Advanced client relationship and management capabilities.

Strategic thinking and operational planning expertise.

Ability to align design culture with firm-wide goals and strategies.

Strong diplomatic and storytelling skills focused on leading clients towards expected and unexpected outcomes.

Travel Requirements : 25%-50% as needed to support design efforts and business development.

Work Environment : Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with occasional site visits or attendance at client meetings and industry events.

Additional Information

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. #EL #Architecture #LI-EL1

Locations : Atlanta, GA, Denver, CO, Kansas City, MO, Los Angeles, CA (Crenshaw Project), New York, NY

The approximate pay range for New York is $176,192.06 - $351,812.06. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

The approximate pay range for Los Angeles Metro Area and Orange County, CA is $202,620.86 - $323,667.10. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

The approximate pay range for Colorado is $193,811.25 - $309,594.62. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

The anticipated last day to apply is 04 / 29 / 2025. Please note that the job may be unposted prior to this date if the job is filled or no longer a need.

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Salary : $176,192 - $351,812

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