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Creative Director
The role
Design & Projects Creative Director Supervisor Managing Director
Position Description
A leader who provides creative leadership and strategic direction for all design projects, ensuring alignment with dwp's design philosophy and brand identity. They will oversee the entire design process from inception, striving for high-quality, innovative, and client-focused designs, with a particular emphasis on winning creative concepts and presentations for competitions and design pitches. Inspiring, mentoring, and managing a team of design directors, senior designers, and designers, they will foster a collaborative and creative studio environment.
The Creative Director will collaborate closely with other departments, including business development, marketing, project management, and finance, to ensure project success, client satisfaction, and business growth within the annual budget. Ultimately, they will champion design excellence, contributing significantly to dwp's reputation as a leading design firm, and be responsible for the overall creative design and quality performance of both projects and the studio.
Qualifications
* Bachelor of Architecture or Interior Design (Master's degree preferred). * Minimum 10+ years of experience in architectural or interior design. Proven track record of leading and successfully delivering projects within any or all portfolios Lifestyle, Community, Workplace. * A strong design portfolio demonstrates exceptional design talent, creativity, and innovation. * Registration with an Architecture or Interior Design professional body.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
* Capabilities to use AI inclining LLM and Generative AI * Exceptional design leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. * Recognized expertise and a strong reputation for generating creative design solutions. * Ability to develop and articulate a clear and compelling design vision and inspire others to achieve it. * Experience in leading the design of competition or design pitch winning presentations. * Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, managing change and multiple priorities. * Strong understanding of architectural and interior design principles and construction methods. * Proficiency in using design presentation tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Enscape, Lumion, Twin motion, etc.) and curiosity in exploring and using generative Al design tools in the creative and presentation process. * Experience with or at least understanding of BIM software e.g. Revit and related tools, e.g. Autodesk Construction Cloud, Navisworks) and ability to guide design teams in their effective use. * Proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and familiarity with DTP and CRM software. * Excellent written and spoken English communication skills. * Commitment to environmental sustainability.
Responsibilities
1. Design Leadership and Vision * Set overall creative direction for the portfolio, aligned with dwp design philosophy and brand identity. * Provide design guidance and mentorship to design directors, senior designers, and designers. * Oversee development of design concepts, ensuring innovation, client-focus, and functionality. * Set overall creative direction for the portfolio, aligned with dwp design philosophy and brand identity. * Provide design guidance and mentorship to design directors, senior designers, and designers. * Review and approve design proposals, presentations, and design documentation. * Generate strategies and creative concepts for competition winning design presentations. * Lead design team on designated competitions and mentor and support the team output on others. * Champion design excellence and promote a culture of creativity and innovation within the studio. * Keep informed about best-in-class design, design technologies and processes. * Explore, evaluate and implement emerging Al tools for design, visualization and workflow optimization.
2. Project Oversight and Management * Oversee the design process for all projects within the portfolio, from inception to completion. * Ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality. * Work closely with project leaders to ensure effective project scheduling and resource allocation. * Conduct regular design reviews and provide clear actionable feedback to project teams. * Visit project sites to review design implementation and ensure compliance with design intent.
3. Team Leadership and Development * Assist in recruiting, training and developing design staff. * Inspire, mentor and manage a team of designers, fostering a collaborative and supportive studio. * Provide regular actionable performance feedback and conduct performance reviews. * Identify and develop talent within the team, providing opportunities for and nurturing professional growth. * Foster a culture of continuous learning and lead the effective use of Al Generative Design across Studio.
4. Collaboration and Communication * Collaborate with other teams (marketing, business development, PM, finance) to ensure project success. * Communicate effectively with clients, present designs, obtain feedback, and manage expectations. * Represent the company at client meetings, presentations, industry events and conferences.
5. Marketing and Business Development Support * Lead creative efforts in the development of winning proposals and presentations, showcasing dwp's design expertise and leveraging design excellence as a key differentiator. * Collaborate with the business development team to present and win new project opportunities. * Contribute to development of marketing material and presentations promoting dwp's design capabilities. * Provide project information and updates for use in the dwp's CRM system and marketing materials. * Support company submissions for international design awards.
6. Administration * Prepare reports to the Portfolio Director / Managing Director on design matters and portfolio performance. * Attend regular portfolio and management meetings.
7. Quality Assurance * Ensure work is done in accordance with dwp policies, procedures, and quality management standards. * Ensure ongoing improvement and efficiency in design and project delivery
8. AI * Adaptability and willingness to integrate new technologies, including AI, into workflows. * Capabilities to utilize AI tools, including Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI, to enhance efficiency and innovation. * Design exploration and visualization Using AI to generate design options, create visualizations, and explore different aesthetic styles. * Information gathering and synthesis Employing AI to research building codes, gather project data, and summarize complex information. * Process optimization Leveraging AI to streamline project workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and improve collaboration. * Problem-solving and innovation. Utilizing AI to analyze design challenges, identify potential solutions, and generate new ideas.
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