Design Director

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

Founded in 1956, KZF Design is a multidisciplinary firm that specializes in thoughtful and award-winning designs. Our team includes architects, engineers, interior designers, and urban planners proficient in both public and private sectors. We have specific expertise in commercial, workplace, education, health and wellness, industrial, government, and justice projects. Based in downtown Cincinnati, KZF Design has a staff of over 75 professionals :

— including architects, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, and planners — works collaboratively to deliver landmark projects across the country and around the world. We truly are a one-stop shop for architectural and design needs.

We’ve built our reputation on thoughtful, award-winning designs and unparalleled technical proficiency in both the public and private sectors. Our expertise spans commercial, workplace, education, community infrastructure, healthcare, industrial, government, and public safety projects.

As one of the Midwest’s premier design firms, we foster a culture of continuous improvement and reinvention. This translates to our clients through strong relationships, creativity, and independent thinking — values that have made us a leader in value-based design for 65 years. For more information, visit www.kzf.com.

KZF Design offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and support for professional development.

We are looking for a creative, innovative design director to join our team.

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Leadership

• Cast an artistic vision to drive incredible and creative design work while working with architects, interior designers, engineers, landscape architects, urban planners, and technical personnel.
• Lead the design of key projects as primary lead designer responsible for design vision, quality, and implementation, while fostering opportunities for those within the team to learn and grow.
• Build a collaborative environment, encourage deep partnerships with multidisciplinary teams, set a high bar for design craft, and define and implement design strategy for all aspects of design execution.
• Participate and lead activities that further design quality and foster a design culture within the firm.
• Lead project design teams through strategy, creative direction, and collaboration.
• Mentor, coach and inspire design talent, empowering others and encouraging design growth while setting the standard for the overall depth and quality of design.
• Establish and reinforce design quality expectations throughout all project phases, maintaining consistent involvement as necessary for the duration of projects.
• Provide a productive and collaborative environment for all staff through a coherent, consistent, and transparent design process.
• Participate in recruitment activities to acquire additional talent at multiple levels.
• Collaborate with Market Leaders, Discipline Directors, and Project Managers in an ongoing dialogue to advance firm-wide design thinking.

Design Execution

Additional Qualifications