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Design Leadership Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Design Director

Denver, CO · On-site

$162 - $195/hr

Provide visionary design leadership andestablisha clear creative direction for the studio. * Guide teams in developing innovative design concepts aligned with project goals and client expectations.

Senior Design Recruiter

Seattle, WA · On-site

$142K - $195K/yr

We partner with leaders across the company to find exceptional talent and build high-performing ... You'll source, engage, and assess world-class design talent through diverse channels, while ...

Senior Design Sourcer

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$108K - $142K/yr

We partner with leaders across the company to find exceptional talent and build high-performing teams. As a Design Sourcer, you will play a foundational role in building Brex's design talent pipeline ...

This is an opportunity for a proven design leader who is passionate about both exceptional design and developing others to achieve their full potential. What You'll Do: Lead Design Excellence

Senior Design Sourcer

Seattle, WA · Hybrid

$108K - $142K/yr

We partner with leaders across the company to find exceptional talent and build high-performing teams. As a Design Sourcer, you will play a foundational role in building Brex's design talent pipeline ...

Senior Design Sourcer

New York, NY · Hybrid

$108K - $142K/yr

We partner with leaders across the company to find exceptional talent and build high-performing teams. As a Design Sourcer, you will play a foundational role in building Brex's design talent pipeline ...

Design Leader

Seattle, WA · Hybrid

$65K - $95K/yr

Job Summary The Design Leader supports the development and coordination of architectural project designs, helping translate design intent into presentation materials, construction documents, and ...

Senior Design Recruiter

New York, NY · On-site

$142K - $195K/yr

We partner with leaders across the company to find exceptional talent and build high-performing ... You'll source, engage, and assess world-class design talent through diverse channels, while ...

Turner & Townsend is seeking an Structural Design Lead to work with our team and partner with our client, supporting design leadership for new and existing construction builds, with a focus on data ...

New

We partner with leaders across the company to find exceptional talent and build high-performing teams. As a Design Sourcer, you will play a foundational role in building Brex's design talent pipeline ...

Design Leader will be responsible for leading the drafting and design for projects while mentoring Designers and Technicians. The Production amp; Design Leader will also be responsible for leading ...

You will be a key leader as the company expands, helping guide design operations and ensure continued success. Key Responsibilities * Produce detailed architectural, fabrication, and shop drawings ...

Showing results 41-60

Design Leadership information

See salary details

$42K

$114.5K

$201.5K

How much do design leadership jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for design leadership in the United States is $114,491.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $144,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is design leadership?

A Design Leadership job involves guiding and managing design teams to create user-centered solutions that align with business objectives. Design leaders set the vision, drive innovation, and foster collaboration across disciplines. They advocate for design’s strategic value, mentor designers, and ensure that design processes enhance both user experience and company goals. Effective design leaders balance creativity with practicality, enabling high-quality outcomes while aligning with organizational priorities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in design leadership, and why are they important?

Design Leadership roles require a strong background in design principles, experience managing creative teams, and typically a degree in design, UX, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch, and project management platforms such as Asana or Jira is crucial, as well as experience with industry-standard design methodologies. Exceptional communication, mentorship, and strategic thinking are soft skills that help leaders inspire teams and align design vision with business objectives. These abilities are vital for delivering innovative solutions and driving cohesive, high-impact design outcomes within organizations.

What are the most common challenges faced in a design leadership role?

In Design Leadership, one frequently encounters the challenge of balancing creative vision with business objectives and stakeholder expectations. Leaders must often advocate for user-centered design while navigating organizational constraints such as tight deadlines, limited resources, or shifting priorities. Aligning and motivating cross-functional teams, managing feedback effectively, and ensuring consistent quality across projects are also key aspects of the role. Addressing these challenges requires both strong interpersonal skills and strategic foresight, making the position dynamic and rewarding for those who enjoy both creative and operational aspects of design.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Leadership jobs?

The most popular types of Design Leadership jobs are:

What states have the most Design Leadership jobs?

States with the most job openings for Design Leadership jobs include:

Infographic showing various Design Leadership job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,491 per year, or $55 per hour.

$162 - $195/hr

Other

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

As a key member of the studio's Management, Operations, and Design (MOD) leadership team, you will lead by example—elevating design quality, mentoring the next generation of talent, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, and representing Perkins&Will within the profession and community. This is an opportunity for a proven design leader who is passionate about both exceptional design and developing others to achieve their full potential.

What You'll Do:

  • Provide visionary design leadership andestablisha clear creative direction for the studio.
  • Guide teams in developing innovative design concepts aligned with project goals and client expectations.
  • Oversee the quality of design processes, project delivery, and built outcomes.
  • Champion creative excellence and ensure all projects align with the firm’s Living Design Framework.
  • Conduct design reviews andquality-controlreviews throughout project development.
  • Work with firmwide leadership to organize and execute peer workshops atappropriate projectmilestones.
  • Stay current on emerging industry trends, technologies, and design practices.

Build and Develop High-Performing Teams

  • Lead, mentor, coach, and inspire multidisciplinary design teams.
  • Foster a collaborative and creative work environment.
  • Partner with Talent Managers and studio leadership to recruit, interview, hire, and develop design talent.
  • Support the growth of diverse talent and skillsets across the studio.
  • Mentorstaff andhelp them achieve both personal and professional development goals.
  • Facilitate ongoing learning through design discussions, conferences, seminars, and educational opportunities.
  • Build long-term bench strength and cultivate future design leaders.

Serve as a Studio and Client Leader

  • Partner with the Managing Director and Operations Director to establish strategic goals and ensure execution.
  • Collaborate with clients, stakeholders, and project teams to develop innovative solutions that achieve functional, aesthetic, and financialobjectives.
  • Build andmaintainstrong relationships with clients, decision-makers, consultants, and industry influencers.
  • Represent the firm’s commitment to design within public, professional, cultural, and academic communities.
  • Build relationships with professional organizations and academic institutions.

Contribute to Studio Growth

  • Participate in staffing decisions and team composition.
  • Support project planning, scope development, work plans, and fee negotiations.
  • Participate in marketing activities, including go/no-go decisions and interview leadership.
  • Help strategize, pursue, and win work for the studio.
  • Partner in developing andmaintainingthe studio’sdesign vision.
  • Advance studio initiatives related to career development, talent advancement, and inclusion.

Required Qualifications:

  • Professional degree in Architecture or related discipline.
  • Professional architectural license.
  • Minimumof15 years of professional experience.
  • Knowledge of industry regulations, life-safety requirements, and building codes.
  • Knowledge of site analysis, conceptual design, schematic design, design development, contract documents, and construction administration.
  • Strongideatorand conceptual thinker
  • Strong designportfolio, ideally broad-based on a range of project types.
  • Strong project budgeting and contract negotiation skills.
  • Strong working relationships with clients and consultants.
  • Experience in hiring, directing, mentoring, and coordinating successful project teams
  • Working knowledge of Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite,Enscape, andVRay.
  • LEED GA and one Living Design accreditation upon hire or within six months of hire

Salary Range Information

We foster a culture that is diverse and inclusive and strive for pay practices that are fair, and competitive and reflect our commitment to pay equity. Our compensation decisions include but are not limited to a candidate’s qualifications including skill sets, education, experience and training, licensure and certifications credentials if applicable, and business-related factors. This practice extends to all employees, including performance considerations for merit increases, job promotions, and transfer opportunities. We additionally review our pay practices, conduct pay equity audits, and ensure our managers are trained in our pay practices on an annual basis.At the time of posting this job advertisement, the annual pay salary range for this position in Denver is between $162,000 and $195,000.

At Perkins&Will we believe that inclusion spurs creativity and that innovation is born from an engaged culture of diverse people + ideas. By moving beyond barriers and stereotypes of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status; we are committed to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities and clients we serve.

Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy (“EEO”), which is part of the Company’s Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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