Design Director Jobs in Nebraska (NOW HIRING)

The Architecture Practice Design Manager serves as a strategic implementation partner to the Architecture Practice Design Director, helping translate design vision into coordinated action across HDR's multidisciplinary design practice. As design leadership for architecture, interiors, UDPLA, and sustainable design is integrated under the Architecture Practice Design organization, this role helps advance a more connected and influential design practice across disciplines, sectors, regions, and business groups.

Working closely with the Architecture Practice Design Director and leaders across these areas, the Design Manager helps organize priorities, align internal partners, develop implementation plans, and support the execution of key initiatives that strengthen design excellence and innovation. The role also helps communicate the value of design internally and externally, increasing the visibility, impact, and recognition of HDR's people, projects, and design expertise throughout the firm and across the industry.
 

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Integration
The Design Manager works closely with the Architecture Practice Design Director to help organize, implement, and track design priorities across HDR's multidisciplinary design organization. This role coordinates initiatives across disciplines, regions, sectors, and business groups and helps ensure priorities move from discussion to implementation. 

Responsibilities
    Work with the Architecture Practice Design Director to develop implementation plans for design initiatives and organizational priorities.
    Coordinate activities and communication across architecture, interiors, UDPLA, sustainable design, planning, and related disciplines.
    Prepare presentation materials and meeting agendas for leadership meetings and major initiatives.
    Track progress on key initiatives and identify issues, delays, or decisions requiring leadership attention.
    Coordinate follow-up actions resulting from leadership discussions, design meetings, and strategic initiatives.
    Maintain awareness of priorities, responsibilities, and activities across the Design Leadership team.
    Prepare leadership reports, board reports, presentations, and recurring updates.

Design Excellence & Program Development
The Design Manager helps cultivate a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and design excellence across HDR's design community. By creating opportunities for collaboration, shared learning, and meaningful dialogue, this role supports the advancement of design quality and the exchange of ideas across disciplines and regions.

Responsibilities
    Coordinate design boot camps, retreats, workshops, design reviews, and other learning programs.
    Organize cross-disciplinary meetings and forums that support collaboration and knowledge sharing.
    Develop agendas, discussion topics, and follow-up actions for design programs and events.
    Coordinate internal communications related to design initiatives and programs.
    Support onboarding activities and communications for new members of the design organization.

Industry Visibility, Recognition & Thought Leadership
The Design Manager coordinates programs that increase awareness of HDR's design work and supports participation in industry events, awards programs, and thought leadership activities.

Responsibilities
    Develop and manage the design awards process.
    Evaluate award opportunities and recommend projects and initiatives for submission.
    Coordinate award submissions with project teams, design leaders, AMS, communications teams, and pursuit professionals.
    Track award results and maintain records of submissions, recognition, and outcomes.
    Coordinate participation in conferences, industry organizations, speaking engagements, and thought leadership opportunities.
    Identify opportunities to showcase HDR's design work, people, and expertise externally.

Communications, Storytelling & Leadership Operations
The Design Manager coordinates communications, storytelling, reporting, and operational activities that support Design Leadership and help communicate the value of HDR's design work.

Responsibilities
    Work with AMS, Communications, and Design Leadership to develop design-related communications and storytelling content.
    Coordinate project stories, photography, case studies, award narratives, and presentation materials.
    Maintain processes for sharing design achievements internally and externally.
    Coordinate leadership meetings, agendas, and follow-up actions.
    Coordinate new-hire announcements, onboarding, and other internal communications for the design organization.
    Support budget tracking, event coordination, and other administrative activities related to design programs and initiatives. 
 

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Communication, Journalism, Marketing, Architecture or Design is preferred.

• Ability to travel.

• Prior experience with AE industry strategy, development, budgeting and promotion

• Commitment to promoting design excellence across all disciplines.

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What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.