Studio Head

The Studio Head will oversee and guide the interior design teams through all project phases. This role includes managing project assignments, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring that all designs meet the highest standards of creativity, functionality, and sustainability. With extensive experience in corporate workplace design, the ideal candidate will also cultivate a design culture within the studio, mentoring team members, fostering client relationships, and ensuring seamless execution of design concepts aligned with client needs and budgetary goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership in Design Execution:

• Lead interior design teams and assignments with Design Directors across all phases of the design process, including programming, space planning, schematic design, design development, construction documentation, and administration.
• Mentor and guide team members to ensure creative excellence, adherence to project timelines, and alignment with project requirements.

Strategic Project Management:

• Provide strategically focused design support, coordinating resources for the organization, production, and execution of design projects.
• Guide teams in generating interior architectural, finish, and reflected ceiling plans, elevations, details, and schedules with specifications that meet project goals.

Client Relationship and Interaction:

• Build and maintain strong client relationships, understanding and addressing their design needs, preferences, and budget considerations.
• Lead client interactions and present design concepts effectively, iterating as needed to align with client requests and constraints.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

• Collaborate seamlessly with internal and external teams, including core & shell teams, consultants, and other partners, to enhance project outcomes.
• Promote an interdisciplinary approach across teams, fostering Awfis’s culture of design quality and excellence.

Design Concept Development and Modeling:

• Guide team members in generating 3D models, renderings, and design visualizations using Revit, SketchUp, Enscape, Adobe Creative Suite, and other modeling software.
• Provide direction in the production of test fits for space planning and in producing detailed, client-ready design documentation.

Material and Furniture Selection:

• Oversee the selection and presentation of furniture, finishes, lighting, and other materials that align with the client’s design vision.
• Work closely with external consultants, product representatives, and fabricators to ensure the realization of design goals within budget.

Sustainable and Universal Design Practices:

• Integrate sustainable and universal design concepts into projects, encouraging practices in line with LEED, WELL, or Net Zero certifications.
• Stay updated on sustainable design trends and incorporate them into project solutions.

Team Development and Studio Culture:

• Cultivate a collaborative design culture within the studio, fostering an environment of creativity, innovation, and high standards.
• Mentor junior and senior designers, supporting their professional growth and encouraging continuous learning and skill development.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Interior Design or Architecture.
• 20+ years of relevant interior design experience in corporate workplace environments, with a robust portfolio demonstrating all project phases.
• Proficiency in Revit, SketchUp, Enscape, and Adobe Creative Suite; strong knowledge of sustainable design concepts.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationales and address client feedback.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and clients in various development stages effectively.
• Excellent graphics and visualization skills, with knowledge of materials, finishes, furniture, and specifications.
• Demonstrated commitment to sustainable design practices, with experience in achieving certifications such as LEED, WELL, or Net Zero Building.
• Strong emotional intelligence, with the ability to handle challenging situations with professionalism and grace.