The Director of Architecture & Design (A&D) is a critical leadership role responsible for driving specifications at the
inception of the project pipeline, with a focus on commercial, multi-family, and high-end residential projects. This role
will lead the A&D team, whose primary goal is to ensure that the company's products are specified by architects and
designers early in the project planning process, thereby positioning the company as the go-to partner for high-quality,
innovative building solutions. The successful candidate will bring extensive industry knowledge, a strong network within
the architectural and design communities, and a proven track record of influencing project specifications to achieve
business growth.
Primary Responsibilities
- Team Leadership and Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Architecture & Design team,
ensuring alignment with divisional and company-wide goals. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and
excellence within the A&D team.
- Specification Strategy: Develop and implement a strategic plan to drive product specifications in the early
stages of project planning, focusing on commercial, multi-family, and high-end residential projects. Ensure that
the company’s products are top-of-mind for architects, designers, and specifiers when they are making key
decisions about materials and products.
- Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key architects, designers, and specifiers
within the commercial, multi-family, and high-end residential sectors. Act as the primary liaison between the
company and the architectural and design communities, ensuring the company’s products are favored in
specifications.
- Market Intelligence and Trends: Monitor industry trends, emerging design practices, and technological
advancements to inform product development and specification strategies. Provide insights and
recommendations to senior leadership based on market intelligence and feedback from the architectural and
design communities.
- Project Pipeline Management: Oversee the management of the project pipeline, ensuring that the A&D team is
proactively identifying and influencing projects at the earliest stages. Work closely with the commercial sales
team to transition specified projects into active sales opportunities.
- Product Advocacy and Education: Champion the company’s products within the architectural and design
communities, highlighting their benefits, features, and innovative qualities. Organize and conduct presentations,
lunch-and-learns, and other educational events to increase awareness and preference for the company’s
products.
Collaboration and Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with internal teams, including product development, marketing, and commercial sales, to ensure that the A&D strategy is aligned with overall business objectives. Provide feedback from the A&D team to inform product enhancements and marketing initiatives.
Performance Tracking and Reporting: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for the A&D team, regularly assessing progress and making adjustments to optimize outcomes. Provide regular updates and reports to senior leadership on the performance of the A&D team, market trends, and project pipeline status
Requirements:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Design, Business, or a related field. An advanced degree or
professional certification in architecture or design (e.g., AIA, NCIDQ) is preferred.
- Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in the architecture and design industry, with a focus on
driving product specifications in the commercial, multi-family, and high-end residential sectors.
- Leadership Skills: Strong leadership abilities with experience managing and developing a team of professionals
in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
- Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the architecture and design process, including how specifications
are made and how to influence decision-makers.
- Relationship Management: Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with architects, designers,
and other key specifiers.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute a strategic plan that drives specifications and aligns with
broader business goals.
- Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage
with internal and external stakeholders.
- Analytical Skills: Strong analytical abilities to assess market trends, project pipelines, and A&D team
performance, with the capacity to make data-driven decisions.
- Product Knowledge: Deep knowledge of building materials and products, with the ability to advocate for their
use in architectural and design specifications.
- Travel: Ability to travel as needed to engage with architects, designers, and specifiers, and to support the A&D
team in key markets.
