Design Director - Architecture Firm

Organizational Context

Position Title : Design Director

Location : Mumbai

Indicative Level : Senior Management

Function : 2D Brand & Graphics

Reports to : Studio Director

Position Summary

The Design Director are creative lead on multiple small and medium projects, running complex presentation meetings with clients and contractors, able to lead on large scale projects, sensitively challenging the client brief to push boundaries creatively. He/she will retain responsibility for all projects whilst sharing knowledge; coaching, developing and motivating all design team members. The Design
Director influences the design direction of the team's work

Key Result Areas/ Key Deliverable

1. Strategic & Creative thinking

2. Creative Delivery

3. Team Management

4. Planning & Scoping

5. Client Communication & Presentation

6. Business Development & Commercial

Key Accountabilities/ Key Responsibilities :

Strategic & Creative thinking :

- Lead the team's creative thinking, generate and develop concepts that provide an original, appropriate and effective solution to the creative brief

- Win the confidence of the client and the team to ensure that 'big ideas' are executed with design excellence

Creative Delivery :

- Lead complex 2D design presentations meetings; simplifying the ideas to make them appropriate; anticipate the audience's needs and understanding

- Articulate an idea to both an internal and external audience

- Ensure that design work and concept ideas on all projects are of a consistently accurate and high standard

Team Management :

- Work with project teams to ensure that the creative quality and delivery of the project is consistently high

- Provide expert creative input and advice to internal teams and clients throughout the project

- Inspire and engage internal teams and clients

Planning and Scoping :

- Plan, organize and scope projects of all sizes; delegate effectively to deliver on time and on budget

- Pro-actively plan up to 4 weeks ahead; working closely with and supported by the Studio

Position Requirements :

Level of Education : Graphic designing

Experience : 15 + years of relevant experience in a managerial position.

Competencies :

Functional :

- Excellent knowledge of how different disciplines influence 2D, from retail graphics, interiors/information design, motion graphics, digital and branding - able to work with any discipline

- Excellent knowledge of production techniques

- Uses industry trends and new techniques within projects to help lead the creative and the team

Director for your team and across the studio

- Actively involved in project fee scope and time forecast analysis for relevant projects

- Schedule and communicate all costs and specifications internally and externally

- To update time sheets on daily basis

Client Communication & Presentation :

- Playing a lead role in new business pitches, including developing responses to briefs and pitching

- Be a point of contact on major client projects and oversee/monitor smaller projects

- Demonstrate the ability to make impactful and effective presentations

Business Development & Commercial :

- Recognize and develop new business opportunities with new or existing clients

- Excellent understanding of the market and competition

- Network; use contacts to create new opportunities

- Communicate effectively upwards and with client; manage expectation.

Behavioural Strategic & Creative Thinking :

- Demonstrates creative vision; seeks the big picture and creative potential within a brief

- Able to think quickly and creatively and actively participate in client meetings

- Thinks outside the box and create storyboards for creative presentations

- Able to undertake relevant research to ensure an informed approach/presentation is made

Interpersonal skills :

- Be an ambassador for the company; demonstrate proactive networking and explore opportunities wherever possible

- Able to argue persuasively; keeps an open mind

- Robust in personality; able to take constructive criticism and act upon it; composed under pressure; willing to actively take steps to find the correct approach/solution

- Intuitive and perceptive to the needs, strengths & weaknesses of whole 2D team

Leadership :

- Understands risk and addresses issues that have potential to impact on project delivery

- Motivate, inspire and engage teams and clients with original thinking

- Able to present complex solutions and strategies both internally and externally and facilitate and deliver training

Self initiative & development :

- Continuous knowledge development, keeping abreast of what is possible

- Relentlessly evaluating and improving our skills and processes, looking for ways to increase value and deliver excellence