Design Director – Mission Critical

position Summary

The Design Director is a senior technical leadership role that is a client-facing expert who serves as the engineering discipline’s highest-impact contributor in project and program delivery. As the technical counterpart to the Project Director, the Design Director shapes engineering solutions for complex clients, projects or programs, guiding technical strategy and representing the organization as a thought leader and trusted advisor to clients. As the technical counterpart to the Project Director, the Design Director shapes engineering solutions for clients on complex projects or programs, guiding technical strategy and representing the organization as a thought leader and trusted advisor to clients. This position is centered on external engagement, deep project involvement and technical authority. The Design Director brings credibility, innovation and strategic insight to design efforts, anchoring discipline performance across project types and markets while mentoring emerging technical leaders. They speak technically across multiple disciplines due to their breadth of experience and depth of knowledge in the industry.

Essential Job Functions & Accountabilities

Design Consulting

• Ensures assigned project and program designs and deliverables meet scope, schedule, cost, quality and client satisfaction requirements.
• Performs research and makes recommendations as to the feasibility of systems or equipment. Evaluates and recommends products for their Application.
• Produces solutions to the most complex engineering problems and complicated design challenges through direct involvement or in an advisory capacity.
• Leads discipline-wide project and program design approaches.

Business Development

• Leads the development, establishment and maintenance of relationships with strategic partners and customers in support of and to expand business opportunities.
• Participates in client, company and/or industry events to build and maintain professional relationships, and to showcase thought leadership and technical excellence.

Client Experience

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with clients. Serves as a trusted technical advisor, leveraging expertise to support client satisfaction and business development.
• Serves as a corporate leadership level contact for clients, projects and programs as needed.
• Partners with sector leadership to develop client-specific quality satisfaction strategies and metrics, generally focused on project deliverables and workflow.
• Operates as a visible technical leader to clients, participating in pursuits, interviews and early concepting conversations to define project scope and vision.

Continuous Learning & Development

• Identifies and advances best practices, emerging technologies and discipline-specific design strategies that elevate project and program performance.
• Offers insights and research on emerging technologies, processes and solutions to drive technical innovation to the organization.
• Strives to continuously develop and expand personal knowledge and the knowledge of others across all disciplines.
• Provides thought leadership within and outside of Henderson, including speaking engagements, whitepapers, or standards committees as appropriate.

Project Leadership & Technical Oversight

• Serves as the discipline lead or consultant on major, complex, or strategic programs and projects, providing design direction, advanced problem-solving, and oversight of engineering quality.
• Performs a range of project/program management responsibilities in collaboration with project managers.
• Directs and mentors technical staff on the responsibilities and expectations for the design deliverables and workflow from concept design through completion.
• Serves as a technical mentor to engineers across all levels.
• Collaborates with project and practice leaders to ensure cohesive project execution and client satisfaction.
• Helps guide project role assignments and shape the growth of discipline expertise in partnership with sector leadership.
• Inspires others through technical strength, reliability and trust, driving accountability and high performance across teams.

Professional Engineer & Engineer of Record

(where applicable)

• Consistently performs to a higher standard of industry-wide expectations associated with carrying a PE license and being enabled as an Engineer of Record (EOR), including making reasonable engineering decisions and delivering the highest quality of work and accountability to projects.

• May be enabled as an Engineer of Record, having additional involvement, oversight, responsibility and accountability for the overall signing and sealing of projects.

Core Competencies

Communication

• Breaks down communication barriers and drives a timely exchange of critical information.
• Unites diverse ideas to achieve best results.
• Communicates comfortably with a wide variety of stakeholders, adapting naturally to ensure message is clear and appropriate for the audience and situation.

Integrity

• Leads with humility and tenacity, sharing lessons learned to help others build resiliency.
• Demonstrates great care and consideration for others, acting boldly to do the right thing.
• Aligns actions and words and prioritizes candor to build trust and a culture of accountability.

Quality Orientation

• Drives process improvements, employee development, and strategic upskilling that align with the future needs of the industry to keep the company competitive.
• Communicates the passion and vision that motivates others to achieve high-quality outcomes and an exceptional client experience.
• Empowers others to navigate ambiguity maintaining consistent standards of service and results, even when faced with challenges.

Teamwork/Inclusion

• Acts with a sophisticated level of empathy and emotional maturity to build community, strong networks, and high-performing teams.
• Values the advantages of diversity, fostering a culture of partnerships that leverages a diverse workforce and connects people through work to create success.
• Normalizes discussions of diverse, sensitive societal topics.

Continuous Learning

• Interfaces with industry leaders to maintain accurate pulse of relevant market/s and advance company goals.
• Builds an environment that rewards learning, initiative, and innovative ways of doing things.
• Aligns leadership development with current and future company needs.

Functional/Technical Expertise

• Clarifies company vision, goals, and strategies, aligns performance metrics appropriately, and provides ongoing leadership to maximize success.
• Leverages expertise and depth of experience to manage risks with opportunity.
• Wins buy-in and consensus by building solid businesses cases and making decisions in the best interest of the firm and with respect to all stakeholders.

Leadership

INSPIRES THE ORGANIZATION

• Personifies the values of the organization, defining and embodying the organizational culture and vision.
• Leads purposefully through ambiguity and change, exhibiting a determined, futuristic mindset and the ability to inspire and empower others to bring ideas to life.

FOCUSES ON CLIENT EXPERIENCE

• Embraces change, proactively seeking ways to ensure the company is ready for the future needs of our clients.
• Sees client services as a dynamic process that requires an evergreen, innovative approach, developing and leading long-term business strategies and solutions that keep the firm competitive.

DEVELOPS THE STRENGTHS OF OTHERS

• Mentors and enables leaders to build strong, diverse, change-ready teams, playing a key role in bringing on strategic and top talent when necessary.
• Speaks with candor, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable to ensure others are continuously learning and growing.

DRIVES ACCOUNTABILITY, QUALITY, AND INNOVATION

• Fosters a climate where all employee-owners feel accountable for the firm’s financial success and responsible for producing high-quality work.
• Empowers others to contribute imaginative solutions and challenge the status quo, rewarding the spirit of innovation, especially when change is necessary.

Required Education, Experience, Licenses & Technical Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field of engineering (e.g., mechanical, electrical, fire protection, or architectural) preferred. High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant progressive experience required, including 5 years of leadership/management experience.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license preferred.
• Additional certifications and accreditations aligning with the relevant technical field (e.g., BEMP, CPD, CDP, NICET, RCDD, etc.) preferred.
• Sustainability certifications (e.g., CDP, LEED, WELL, etc.) preferred.
• Project management certification preferred.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency in project management standards required.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge and application of building design and construction principles required.
• Proven success in leading complex, high-visibility projects or programs and leading clients.
• Regarded as an industry leader with deep technical expertise and ability to influence the industry.
• Proven track record of effective collaboration, communication and maintaining relationships with project stakeholders over time.
• Expert-level knowledge across several disciplines with a track record of technical excellence in at least one.
• Proficient knowledge and understanding of earned value, contracts and construction processes and methods required.
• Working knowledge of current and industry specific tools and software required, including BIM modeling, markup and annotation, workflow and task management applications.
• High technical aptitude with ability to learn, understand and utilize various systems and processes. Experience and comfortability with training others on systems and processes.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate with designers at all levels in a clear and concise manner.
• Effective critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Team oriented and willingness and ability to function in a highly collaborative environment, in group projects and leading less experienced designers. Ability to work independently as needed.
• Must demonstrate proficiency in all core competencies as described and characterized in this job description.

Physical & Other Requirements

• Other duties as assigned.
• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English.
• Travel required (30%).