At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative design projects and inspire multidisciplinary teams across Europe.
- Company: Join a leading firm known for transformative design solutions and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy comprehensive benefits, professional development support, and a balanced work-life culture.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse, inclusive environment that champions innovation and sustainability.
- Why this job: Shape the future of architecture and make a real impact on society through design.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in senior design leadership with a strong portfolio and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
Description
At the forefront of transformative design solutions that drive change and deliver exceptional value, our commitment to innovation, creativity, and impactful design outcomes positions us as a leader in the industry.
We are seeking a visionary
Design Director passionate about pushing the boundaries of architectural design to lead multidisciplinary teams across our UK and European practice.
Design Directors play a pivotal role in shaping the creative direction of our work and guiding a diverse studio of designers across various disciplines.
In our practice, Design Directors are appointed for the firm as a whole—not confined to individual studios, single typologies, or local markets.
We seek leaders who represent the future of our work , rejecting the status quo to deliver groundbreaking and meaningful design solutions that drive long-term value creation.
The ideal candidate possesses exceptional design sensibility, executive presence, and a proven track record of inspiring clients to stretch their ambitions.
You will bring clarity and conviction to the creative process, balanced with the humility, flexibility, and collaborative mindset that great architecture demands.
What You Will Do
- Leadership & Strategy: Provide visionary leadership for the design studio, fostering a culture of innovation, intellectual rigor, and open collaboration.
Champion strategic design initiatives that elevate our practice beyond individual projects, strengthening our culture and advancing the firm's long-term design trajectory.
- Creative Direction & Design
Purpose: Discover and define Design Purpose across all commissions by identifying core design drivers, societal impacts, and client goals.
Oversee projects from concept through detailed execution across all RIBA stages, ensuring solutions are innovative, resilient, inclusive, and aligned with our highest design standards.
- Client Engagement & Advisory: Build genuine, accountable relationships with clients as a trusted advisor and confident voice of design.
Decipher their overarching mission and business objectives to deliver compelling, transformative design solutions.
Command the room with executive presence, presenting with conviction to client boards, design review panels, and planning authorities.
- Industry
- Wide
Leadership: Uphold and drive forward Gensler's design reputation in the market as a visible, external-facing voice for the firm's design, through speaking engagements and publications, collaboration with academic institutions through design reviews and research projects, and by pursuing design awards.
- Mentor, Coach and
- Support
Growth: Act as an advocate and committed mentor for the next generation of design talent.
Cultivate an inspired internal following through thoughtful questioning, active listening, and open communication to unleash team potential within our people-first culture.
- Cross-Disciplinary
Collaboration: Partner with Studio Directors, Technical Directors, Practice Area leaders, and Regional Leadership to integrate diverse perspectives into the design process.
Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across project teams, consultants, and recruitment initiatives.
- Quality Assurance & Delivery: Be accountable for design excellence across the studio while actively contributing to design critiques and peer reviews across the wider office.
Ensure technical coordination, statutory compliance (including the Building Safety Act framework), and sustainability benchmarks are seamlessly integrated without compromising design intent.
- Market Trends, Innovation & Resilience: Advance the understanding that design resilience and decarbonisation (embodied carbon, LETI, net-zero targets) are responsibilities of every designer.
Stay ahead of emerging architectural technologies, computational workflows, and industry trends to ensure the firm remains an authoritative voice in the marketplace.
- Your Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in architecture.
- Registered architect.
- Minimum of 15 years PQE in a senior design leadership role directing complex, high-value schemes within a renowned practice or for major projects.
- Proven track record to completion successful, innovative design outcomes, that have driven client satisfaction, industry recognition, and business growth.
Built projects are a must.
- An established reputation as a design leader in the market, with a prior track record of external-facing leadership.
- Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Exceptional portfolio demonstrating visionary concept design, sophisticated spatial resolution, and successful delivery across RIBA Stages 0–7.
- Command of UK planning policy, understanding of technical design rigour.
- Experience within Critical Facilities projects (i. e. data centres, energy centres, command and control centres, high‑performance computing, etc.) healthcare projects, or similarly complex projects (i. e. science/labs/national labs, light‑industrial/manufacturing, high‑tech manufacturing, healthcare, aviation & transportation, etc.) preferred
- Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts with clarity and conviction to major clients and large teams.
- Sustainability accreditation (e. g., BREEAM, LEED, WELL AP, or Passivhaus) is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated commitment to design innovation, with experience in AI-assisted and emerging design technologies considered an advantage.
- Life at Gensler
We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life.
Our comprehensive benefits include medical and dental insurance, season ticket loans, pension, and twice annual bonus opportunities.
As part of the firm’s commitment to professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional qualifications and associated renewals and exam fees.
In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programmes or classes.
We view our professional development programmes as strategic investments in our future.
- NOTICE TO APPLICANTS
- We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff
All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs.
We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under applicable regulatory laws.
Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.
We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable regulatory laws.
Gensler endeavors to make gensler. com/careers accessible to all applicants.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us.
Regarding Gensler’s approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process.
We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud.
Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email talentacquisition@gensler. com.
Design Director - Critical Facilities in Birmingham employer: Gensler
Gensler is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and collaborative work culture, particularly for the role of Sustainability Strategist in our London office. We prioritise employee well-being with comprehensive benefits, including medical and dental insurance, pension plans, and opportunities for professional development through tuition reimbursement and support for certifications. Join us to be part of a creative team dedicated to innovative sustainability solutions, where your growth and contributions are valued in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Director - Critical Facilities in Birmingham
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Gensler who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Director - Critical Facilities in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Gensler!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Gensler. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gensler
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Gensler.
