Director of Architecture and Design

Director of Architecture & Design Location: Utah (Salt Lake City area), with hybrid flexibility Travel: Occasional local travel (site visits, agency meetings) Reports to: Executive Leadership Direct reports: Internal drafting staff and/or external consultant teams Compensation: Competitive base + bonus potential + benefits About the Role An established real estate company is seeking a Director of Architecture & Design to lead design strategy and execution across a growing portfolio of projects (multifamily, townhomes, mixed-use retail/commercial). The Director of Architecture & Design will own the full design lifecycle – from early feasibility and entitlements through construction documentation, permitting, and construction administration – ensuring projects are design-forward, efficient to build, aligned with proforma realities, and code-compliant. This is a high-impact, dynamic, and collaborative role for someone who can balance architecture, product design, constructability, municipal processes, and team leadership. Key Responsibilities Design Leadership & Product Strategy • Guide early massing/site planning studies in coordination with the acquisitions and development teams, as well as civil, planning, and construction. • Establish and maintain the company’s architectural and design standards and libraries (unit plans, elevations, materials, detailing, amenity packages, branding, scopes, etc.). • Drive both design quality and the design process with an eye to repeatability, cost control, speed-to-permit, and constructability. • Build and lead internal design capability (as applicable), improving processes, standards, and documentation workflows. • Collaborate internally with ownership, acquisitions, and development, and externally with engineers, consultants, contractors, and other building lifecycle partners. Entitlements & Agency Coordination • Lead design and documentation for pre-application meetings, planning commission, design review, zoning compliance, and entitlement negotiations. • Coordinate with planners and municipal staff to achieve approvals with minimal redesign churn. • Ensure design packages are clear, defensible, and conform to municipal requirements. Consultant Management & Documentation • Select, manage, and hold accountable external consultants: civil, MEP, structural, landscape, interiors, signage/wayfinding, lighting, specialty consultants, etc. • Oversee production of permit sets and construction documents, ensuring code compliance and building department responsiveness, constructability and clarity, value engineering, and coordination across disciplines. Cost, Schedule, and Constructability • Coordinate with general contractor precon/construction teams to align design decisions with budget, procurement realities, and schedule constraints. • Lead iterative VE efforts and manage trade-offs to protect scope and performance outcomes. • Reduce RFIs and change orders through rigorous coordination and quality control. Construction Administration & Field Support • Provide design leadership during construction: submittal review, RFI responses, site observations, punch support, and design issue resolution. • Maintain design intent while making practical field decisions quickly. • Function as an owner’s representative, leading or participating in on-site OAC meetings. Qualifications Required • Professional degree in Architecture (or equivalent) and 10+ years experience with increasing responsibility (development-facing preferred but not required). • Proven leadership on residential projects (multifamily & townhomes) through entitlements, permitting, CA. • Strong working knowledge of: • IBC/IRC, accessibility requirements, and typical fire/life safety constraints • Municipal entitlement processes and design review dynamics • Construction documentation standards and consultant coordination • Track record of delivering projects that meet design quality, budget, and schedule goals. • Proficient in architecture and design softwares such as Revit, Sketchup, CAD, Photoshop and InDesign, Enscape/VRay, etc. • Excellent communication skills with and ability to influence stakeholders and represent the company publicly when needed. Preferred • Licensed Architect (or ability to obtain license in first 90-days) – ARE reimbursed by employer; NCARB helpful. • Direct experience working for or closely with a developer-builder or design-builder. • Experience building repeatable product lines and standardized plan sets. • Comfort with pro formas, hard/soft cost drivers, and cost-informed design decisions. What Success Looks Like (First 6–12 Months) • Establish clear design standards and decision-making processes across the developer’s pipeline. • Reduce entitlement and permitting cycle friction through better pre-planning and document clarity. • Improve construction outcomes (fewer RFIs, cleaner coordination, stronger VE discipline). • Create a scalable consultant ecosystem and internal workflow that supports growth. Why This Role • High visibility, opportunity for ownership, and meaningful influence on the built product. • Opportunity to shape a portfolio and design culture. • Partner closely with decision-makers in a fast-moving development environment. Confidential Application Process To maintain confidentiality, the company name and project list will be shared later in the process. Interested candidates should submit: • Resume/CV • Portfolio or representative work samples (PDF or link) • Brief note highlighting relevant residential entitlement + construction delivery experience • Any references