Wirt Design Group – Senior Project Designer, Los Angeles

Wirt Design Group is seeking a Senior Project Designer to join our team in Downtown Los Angeles. The Senior Project Designer will be required to lead projects and direct other staff members and designers in the role. The Senior Project Designer reports directly to the Principal-in in -Charge. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Education: An architecture or interior design degree from an accredited college. 
• Licensure/Certifications: Must be licensed/certified or working towards it (AIA, NCIDQ, or CID). LEED, WELL, or FitWel accreditation preferred.
• Qualifications: Must have a minimum of eight-ten (8-10) years of workplace interior design experience and demonstrate technical proficiency in production and coordination of documents in all phases of the commercial interior design practice. 
• Skilled in: AutoCAD, Sketchup, InDesign,, Illustrator, Photoshop, and hand sketching. Knowledge of Ajera and Newforma are beneficial.
• Concise verbal, written, and graphic communication skills.
• Ability to supervise and direct project teams.

Leadership & Management

• Demonstrate motivation in seeking new responsibilities and challenges.
• Set goals, prioritize, and plan work activities for self-management, and use time efficiently.
• Work with the Principal-in-Charge and the Design Director to estimate hours for assigned tasks and finish tasks within agreed upon budget hours. Meet with the leadership team to discuss personnel evaluations. Monitor employee performance and take appropriate action to report both positive and negative issues.
• Manage project technical documentation process in-conjunction with the Technical Services Director.
• Lead collaborative design, production staff, and consultants.
• Understand contractual liabilities as they relate to projects, including fee calculations. When necessary, revise work plan to achieve WDG fee budget.
• Use Ajera to track time and activity for each project and prepare plans of action with the team for resolving project-related issues.
• Develop complete knowledge and follows the firm’s procedures, standards, and core processes.

Design 

• Has the ability to translate the Design Director’s design vision across and down through projects.
• Lead the design team’s relationship with the client and consultants to ensure the client’s satisfaction through all phases.
• Work closely with the Design Director/Project Lead to establish the design objectives for the client in the programming and visioning phases of the projects.
• Promote design quality and collaboration with the project team during the Schematic and Design Development phases.
• Coordinate, lead, and develop design and details consistent with the project budget.
• Coordinate with the project team in a timely manner to bring closure to any design details.

Communication and Collaboration

• Listen and communicate effectively and professionally. Asks questions about issues when unclear.
• Have working knowledge and understanding of the firm’s equipment, software, and filing systems.
• Ability to apprise supervisor and/or client of status of work.
• Establish productive working relationships and deal effectively and cooperatively with team members, consultants, and government agencies.
• Display willingness to make decisions; exhibit sound and accurate judgment; ability to support and explain reasoning for decisions; include appropriate people in decision-making process; and make timely decisions.
• Collaborate with appropriate staff to meet goals and objectives of projects.

Technical Documentation

• Be proficient with AutoCAD, documentation, and office practice systems.
• Ability to correspond effectively with agencies and consultants.
• Ensure that documents meet the firm’s and the client’s standards and protocols.
• Effectively write meeting minutes, instruction bulletins, change orders, RFI responses, and professional correspondence, as needed.
• Develop and/or assist in review of agreements with clients, consultants, and vendors.
• Develop and/or assist in RFP’S and negotiate contracts with consultants and vendors.
• Direct and review construction documents and shop drawings for content accuracy and overall design intent in all phases.
• Assist in guiding project team and consultants for appropriate materials and systems.
• Assist in reviewing cost estimates and conduct value analysis.
• Review and approve changes in collaboration with the project design team and client.

Business Development 

• Always be professional and respectful in interactions with clients and consultants.
• Be prepared to present role in marketing interviews and business transactions.
• Provide input and assist as required in developing additional service requests and review of marketing proposals.
• Assist in resolving technical issues with client.

WDG Core Values:

• Dedicated to team and craft.
• Committed to continued learning.
• Authentic.
• Accountable.
• Awesome.

WDG Core Focus: Empowering Clients with Tailored Design Solutions.