Lead Designer | Higher Education | Architecture

Market: Higher Education

Location: Charlotte, NC

FLSA: Exempt

Work Mode: Monday - Friday; 8:00 - 5:00; In-Office Monday - Thursday; Hybrid (remote or in-office) Friday

Employment Type: Full-time

At BHDP, we believe great design does more than define spaces-it influences behavior, drives performance, and creates meaningful experiences. Guided by our purpose to Inspire People and Impact Results, By Design, we collaborate across architecture, interiors, strategy, and research to solve complex challenges in integrated ways. Here, your ideas matter, your voice is heard, and your work has the power to shape experiences that truly make a difference.

Role Summary

The Lead Designer leads design for large-scale projects for a specific market/business segment, elevating project outcomes through strong design thinking aligned with client vision. This role provides design leadership across all phases-serving as the final design authority for key decisions-and drives high-quality delivery through clear expectations, accountability, and effective team leadership.

Responsibilities

Leads large-project design delivery by setting clear expectations, aligning the right people in the right seats, and driving follow through that sustains design quality and strengthens client trust across all phases.Acts as the final design authority for high-impact design decisions, coaching team growth through productive feedback, while managing design effort for revenue efficiency and providing proactive, client ready communication on options, tradeoffs, and impacts.Leads the day-to-day design relationship with clients on large-scale projects, building trust while translating client goals into clear direction, decisions, and design outcomes.Manages client expectations through all phases of the project by proactively communicating design intent, options, and tradeoffs, aligning stakeholders, and protecting design quality as the work advances.Develops and retains high performing design talent by setting clear expectations, modeling BHDP design philosophy, and creating an environment where great work can happen.Coaches and grows designers through intentional delegation, timely feedback and critique, and targeted opportunities that build capability, confidence, and future leadership while maintaining accountability to project outcomes.Builds and sustains the right project discipline structure on projects across all capabilities, aligning the "right people in the right seats" to match project complexity, design ambition, and delivery demands.Directs team utilization by clarifying roles and decision authority regarding design, balancing workloads and skillsets over time, and elevating/adjusting staffing to protect design quality, accountability, and performance through the duration of the project.Takes responsibility for setting and sustaining an inspiring, high-quality design vision on large scale projects, translating client and user aspirations into clear, compelling concepts and measurable design solutions.Leads teams to deliver design excellence through every phase by elevating critique, ensuring cohesion across disciplines / capabilities, and protecting design intent as decisions are tested against complexity, constraints, and delivery realities.Maximizes efficiency by aligning design ambition, scope, and team effort to deliver high-impact outcomes within planned fee and schedules.Elevates design value by focusing time on the decisions and moments that matter most to the client, defining and protecting design intent, and proactively adjusting approach and resourcing to reduce rework while increasing measurable client benefit.Qualifications

Bachelor of Architecture degree (NAAB accredited program preferred)18+ years in the design and/or architecture industry.Licensed ArchitectAdvanced Revit knowledge - independently deliver defined drawing packages/projects and teach others on best practice.Advanced knowledge of SketchUp, Enscape, or LumionAdvanced experience with Adobe Creative CloudDemonstrated capability to delegate, coach, and raise team performanceDemonstrated initiative; sees challenges as opportunitiesStrong attention to detailStrong communication and collaboration within a teamModels professional workplace behaviors: reliable follow-through, constructive feedback, and calm, solutions-oriented communication with co-workers and clientsPhysical and Mental Demands

Sustained attention to detailSitting/standingOccasional lifting of 20 pounds or lessAbility to work in an open office environmentLife at BHDP

Our comprehensive benefit package includes a competitive salary, medical, dental, vision, disability, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, paid time off, and a 401(k), which aligns with our commitment to rewarding our high-performing professionals.

BHDP Architecture is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

This position description is prepared to provide a general understanding of the responsibilities of the position and does not include a comprehensive list of activities, duties, success factors, or responsibilities that are required for a specific employee. Success Factors, duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified or augmented at any time with or without notice.

Skills:
Adobe Creative Suite, Architectural Design, Best Practices, Calendar Management, Cloud Computing, Coaching, Communication Skills, Customer Relations, Detail Oriented, Fee Schedule, Follow Through, Higher Education, Leadership, Lift/Move 20 Pounds, Market Segmentation, Order Delivery, Philosophy, Physical Demands, Project Design, Sales Management, SketchUp, Team Lead/Manager, Time Management, Training/Teaching

Baxter Hodell Donnelly Preston, Inc