Lead Designer | Workplace

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Designer | Workplace

Company: BHDP Architecture

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Leadership / Architecture Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-06T21:48:36.473

Experience Level: 10+ years (AI derived, based on 18+ years requirement)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead design initiatives for large-scale workplace projects, ensuring alignment with client visions and BHDP's design philosophy.

• Serve as the primary design authority, guiding teams through all project phases from conceptualization to final delivery.

• Foster strong client relationships by translating aspirations into clear design direction and measurable outcomes.

• Drive design excellence and revenue efficiency through strategic team leadership, clear expectations, and proactive communication.

• Develop and mentor design talent, creating an environment conducive to high-quality work and professional growth within the operations framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior design leader within the Workplace market segment. While not a traditional "Revenue Operations" or "Sales Operations" role, the emphasis on "revenue efficiency," "project delivery," "client relationship management," and "team leadership" aligns with operational aspects of a design firm, particularly in managing project lifecycles and resource allocation to ensure profitability and client satisfaction. The "Operations" category reflects the strategic and managerial oversight required to ensure successful project execution, which is a core function of operations in any service-based business.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design strategy and execution for significant workplace projects, ensuring all design decisions align with client goals and BHDP's architectural standards.

• Act as the ultimate design authority for critical project decisions, providing expert guidance and coaching to design teams.

• Cultivate and maintain robust client relationships, serving as the day-to-day design point of contact and building trust through transparent communication and deliverable quality.

• Proactively manage client expectations by clearly communicating design intent, exploring options, and articulating the impact of tradeoffs across all project phases.

• Build and retain a high-performing design team by setting clear performance expectations, embodying BHDP's design ethos, and fostering a culture that supports exceptional work.

• Coach and develop designers through intentional delegation, constructive feedback, and targeted growth opportunities, enhancing individual capabilities and leadership potential.

• Establish and maintain an optimal project discipline structure, ensuring the right talent is allocated to match project complexity, design ambition, and delivery requirements.

• Direct team utilization and resource allocation, balancing workloads and skillsets to protect design quality and project accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

• Champion an inspiring and high-quality design vision, translating client and user aspirations into compelling concepts and tangible design solutions.

• Lead design teams to achieve excellence by fostering critique, ensuring interdisciplinary cohesion, and safeguarding design intent against project constraints and realities.

• Optimize design efficiency by aligning ambition, scope, and team effort to deliver impactful outcomes within allocated fees and timelines.

• Enhance design value by focusing efforts on critical client decisions, defining and defending design intent, and proactively adjusting strategies to minimize rework and maximize client benefit.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative leadership and operational management. The focus on "revenue efficiency," "team utilization," "project discipline structure," and "maximizing efficiency" indicates a strong operational component to this design leadership role, requiring the candidate to manage resources and processes effectively to ensure project profitability and successful outcomes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor of Architecture degree (NAAB accredited program preferred)

Experience: 18+ years in the design and/or architecture industry.

Required Skills:

• Licensed Architect.

• Advanced proficiency in Revit, including the ability to independently deliver defined drawing packages and train others on best practices.

• Advanced knowledge of 3D modeling and rendering software such as SketchUp, Enscape, or Lumion.

• Advanced experience with the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.).

• Proven ability to delegate effectively, coach design talent, and elevate overall team performance.

• Demonstrated initiative, with a proactive approach to identifying and solving challenges.

• Exceptional attention to detail in all aspects of design and project execution.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, fostering effective collaboration within design teams and with clients.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically within the Workplace market segment.

• Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools relevant to architectural projects.

• Understanding of construction administration and site supervision processes.

• Experience in client expectation management and stakeholder alignment strategies.

• Ability to articulate design concepts persuasively to diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "18+ years" requirement and "Licensed Architect" status clearly indicate a senior-level position. The advanced software proficiencies are critical technical skills, while the "demonstrated capability to delegate, coach, and raise team performance" and "models professional workplace behaviors" highlight crucial operational and soft skills for managing projects and teams effectively. The AI-derived experience level of "10+" is a conservative interpretation, but the explicit requirement is 18+ years.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 large-scale workplace projects that demonstrate a clear progression through all design phases.

• Highlight projects where you served as the lead designer or had significant design authority.

• Include examples of design problem-solving, particularly addressing client challenges and user experience within the workplace environment.

• Demonstrate your ability to translate client goals and aspirations into compelling design concepts and executable plans.

Process Documentation:

• Present case studies that illustrate your approach to leading design teams, including delegation, feedback, and performance management strategies.

• Detail your methods for managing client expectations, including proactive communication, option exploration, and tradeoff articulation.

• Showcase examples of how you have established and maintained project discipline structures and optimized team utilization for efficiency.

• Include documentation or descriptions of how you have ensured design quality and protected design intent against project constraints.

• Provide examples of how you have managed design effort for revenue efficiency and ensured accountability to project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior design lead role, a portfolio is crucial. The emphasis here is on demonstrating leadership in complex projects, client management, and operational efficiency within the design process, rather than just aesthetic output. This aligns with how operations professionals present their impact through process improvement and measurable results.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for Lead Designer/Architect roles in Cincinnati, OH, with 18+ years of experience, the estimated salary range is $130,000 - $180,000+ annually. This range accounts for the senior leadership required, advanced technical skills, and the specific market segment (Workplace).

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Disability insurance coverage.

• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care.

• Generous paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.

• Exposure to innovative design projects and a collaborative work environment.

Working Hours: Monday – Friday; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. In-office Monday – Thursday; Hybrid (remote or in-office) on Friday. This totals approximately 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for senior architectural and design leadership roles in a major metropolitan area like Cincinnati, factoring in the extensive experience required. The benefits listed are directly from the job description, highlighting BHDP's commitment to employee well-being and professional support. The working hours are clearly defined, with a hybrid structure for Fridays.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architecture, Interior Design, Experiential Graphic Design. BHDP operates within the built environment sector, focusing on creating informed design solutions.

Company Size: BHDP Architecture is a mid-to-large sized firm. (AI inferred based on the scope of responsibilities and the need for a structured team/reporting hierarchy).

Founded: BHDP has a significant history, implying established processes and a mature company culture. (AI inferred from the extensive experience requirement for the role).

Team Structure:

• The role reports to a Design Principal, indicating a clear leadership hierarchy.

• The Lead Designer is expected to build and sustain the "right project discipline structure," suggesting a matrixed or project-based team organization where specialists are brought together for specific projects.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on "design thinking" to create informed solutions.

• Focus on "high-quality delivery" through clear expectations and accountability.

• Commitment to developing "high-performing design talent" through coaching and feedback.

• Strategic allocation of resources ("right people in the right seats") for "revenue efficiency."

• Proactive client communication and expectation management are core to their client service methodology.

Company Website: bhdp.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value design excellence, client partnership, and talent development. The operational aspects are evident in the structured approach to project delivery, team management, and efficiency. The "Workplace" market focus suggests specialization and deep understanding of corporate and commercial environments.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role, designated as "Lead Designer." It implies significant responsibility for project outcomes, client relationships, and team development. The role acts as a final design authority, indicating a high level of trust and expertise.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Designer reports directly to a Design Principal. They, in turn, lead and mentor other designers and project teams, forming a crucial link in the firm's leadership chain.

Operations Impact: The Lead Designer's impact is multifaceted:

• Financial: Directly influences "revenue efficiency" and "project outcomes" by managing design effort within fees and schedules.

• Client Satisfaction: Drives client trust and satisfaction through high-quality design and effective communication, leading to repeat business and referrals.

• Talent Development: Shapes the capabilities and leadership potential of junior designers, contributing to the firm's long-term talent pipeline.

• Brand Reputation: Upholds and elevates BHDP's reputation for innovative and informed design solutions in the workplace sector.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance to Design Principal or other senior leadership roles within BHDP, taking on larger portfolios or strategic responsibilities.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise within the Workplace market or explore adjacent market segments.

• Mentorship: Formalize mentorship roles, guiding emerging talent and contributing to the firm's knowledge base.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to firm-wide design standards, process improvements, and business development strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the design leadership role through an operational lens, highlighting its contribution to the firm's financial health, client retention, and talent management. The growth opportunities are presented in the context of career progression within a professional services firm.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The description mentions an "open office environment" and "in-office" workdays, suggesting a collaborative physical workspace.

Office Location(s): Cincinnati, OH.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The open office setup and hybrid model encourage interaction, idea exchange, and spontaneous problem-solving among design professionals.

• Technology Integration: Advanced software requirements (Revit, SketchUp, Enscape, Adobe CC) indicate a technology-rich environment where designers are equipped with modern tools for visualization and execution.

• Team Interaction: The role emphasizes leading and coaching teams, implying frequent interaction with direct reports and other project stakeholders within the office.

Work Schedule: The specified working hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) provide a structured framework. The hybrid Friday offers flexibility while ensuring core business hours are covered by in-office presence for at least four days a week, facilitating in-person collaboration and operational continuity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Work Mode" description is key here, detailing the hybrid nature and specific in-office days. This hybrid approach is common in professional services and aims to balance flexibility with the operational need for in-person collaboration and team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of your resume and portfolio against the stated qualifications.

• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage will involve presenting selected projects from your portfolio, focusing on your leadership, design thinking, and problem-solving capabilities. Be prepared to discuss your role, design rationale, and project outcomes.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Expect interviews with Design Principals and potentially other senior leaders to assess your strategic thinking, leadership style, and cultural fit.

• Technical Assessment: While not explicitly stated, there might be discussions or exercises to gauge your advanced software proficiency and understanding of architectural processes.

• Behavioral Questions: Questions will likely focus on your experience in team leadership, client management, conflict resolution, and handling challenging project scenarios.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest workplace projects that best represent your lead design experience, client management skills, and operational understanding.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the client's challenge, your design vision and strategy, key decisions made, your leadership approach, and the measurable outcomes (design quality, client satisfaction, efficiency).

• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize your role in setting expectations, managing teams, providing feedback, and driving project delivery.

• Demonstrate Process: Showcase your understanding of the design process from concept to completion, including how you managed tradeoffs and ensured quality.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs and leadership, e.g., client retention, project budget/schedule adherence, team performance improvements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Strategy: Be ready to discuss your approach to developing a design vision for a complex workplace project based on limited information.

• Team Management Scenarios: Prepare to answer questions about how you would manage a underperforming team member, resolve design conflicts between disciplines, or handle demanding client feedback.

• Operational Efficiency: Think about how you would balance design ambition with fee and schedule constraints, and how you ensure "revenue efficiency" in your projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section translates the general job description into actionable advice for candidates. The emphasis on portfolio strategy and preparing for behavioral questions related to leadership and operational efficiency is tailored for a senior role in a professional services firm.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Revit: Advanced proficiency is a mandatory requirement, indicating its central role in project documentation and design delivery. Expect to demonstrate advanced modeling techniques and potentially BIM management skills.

• SketchUp: Advanced knowledge required for conceptual design, massing studies, and quick visualization.

• Enscape / Lumion: Advanced knowledge expected for real-time rendering and client presentations, crucial for conveying design intent effectively.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign): Advanced experience is necessary for graphic presentations, image editing, and creating compelling visual collateral.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly listed, a Lead Designer is expected to engage with project-related data such as:

• Project Schedule Tracking: Understanding timelines and milestones.

• Fee Management Reports: Monitoring design effort against allocated budgets.

• Client Feedback Metrics: Analyzing client satisfaction scores or qualitative feedback.

• Resource Allocation Reports: Understanding team utilization and workload distribution.

CRM & Automation: Not explicitly mentioned for the designer, but the company likely uses CRM systems for client management and project tracking. Understanding how design deliverables integrate with broader client relationship management is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified software tools are core to modern architectural design. The "Analytics & Reporting" section infers the types of data a Lead Designer would interact with, linking the role to operational performance monitoring and financial accountability.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Design Excellence: A fundamental commitment to creating innovative, high-quality, and informed design solutions that meet client aspirations.

• Client-Centricity: Building strong, trust-based relationships with clients by understanding their goals and delivering exceptional service and outcomes.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where diverse talents and perspectives come together to achieve shared project goals.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for design decisions, project delivery, and team performance, ensuring follow-through and high standards.

• Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to learning, skill development, and refining processes to enhance both individual and team capabilities.

• Efficiency: Balancing creative ambition with practical considerations of fees, schedules, and resource allocation to ensure profitable project delivery.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with interior designers, experiential graphic designers, and potentially other specialists within BHDP to create cohesive project solutions.

• Mentorship and Development: A culture that encourages senior professionals to mentor and develop junior talent, fostering a learning environment.

• Constructive Critique: An open exchange of feedback and critique aimed at elevating design quality and problem-solving.

• Solutions-Oriented Communication: A professional and calm approach to communication, focusing on identifying and implementing solutions to challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Values" are inferred from the responsibilities and desired qualifications, framing them as core tenets that guide daily work and decision-making. This provides insight into how BHDP expects its leaders to operate and contribute to the firm's overall success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Design Vision with Constraints: Effectively translating ambitious design concepts into executable plans that meet client budgets, schedules, and technical requirements.

• Managing Diverse Teams and Stakeholders: Leading teams with varied skillsets and experience levels, while also aligning multiple client stakeholders with potentially differing priorities.

• Maintaining Design Quality under Pressure: Ensuring high standards of design excellence are upheld throughout all project phases, especially during periods of intense workload or tight deadlines.

• Adapting to Evolving Workplace Needs: Staying ahead of trends in workplace design, user experience, and technological integration to deliver future-proof solutions.

• Driving Revenue Efficiency: Optimizing design effort and resource allocation to maximize profitability without compromising design quality or client satisfaction.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Leadership: Formal training or mentorship focused on strategic design leadership, advanced client management, and business development.

• Industry Trend Immersion: Opportunities to attend conferences, workshops, and engage with industry research focused on the future of workplace design.

• Technical Skill Enhancement: Continued development in advanced modeling, visualization, and potentially emerging design technologies.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal avenues to mentor emerging talent, developing leadership and communication skills.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gaining deeper insights into interior design and experiential graphic design to foster more integrated project approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying potential challenges helps candidates prepare for the realities of the role. The growth opportunities highlight how BHDP invests in its senior professionals, aligning with career progression and continuous learning essential in dynamic fields like architecture and design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Vision & Strategy: "Describe your process for developing a compelling design vision for a large-scale workplace project. How do you balance client aspirations with your own design expertise and the firm's capabilities?" (Preparation: Be ready to walk through a case study of how you've done this, detailing your strategic thinking and decision-making process.)

• Leadership & Team Management: "How do you ensure a high-performing design team and cultivate talent? Provide an example of a time you coached a designer through a difficult challenge." (Preparation: Prepare specific examples of your leadership style, delegation strategies, feedback techniques, and how you foster a positive team environment.)

• Client Relationship Management: "How do you manage client expectations on complex projects, particularly when delivering difficult news or navigating design tradeoffs?" (Preparation: Focus on your communication strategies, proactive approach, and ability to build trust and rapport.)

• Operational Efficiency: "How do you balance design ambition with fee and schedule constraints to ensure revenue efficiency for the firm?" (Preparation: Discuss your methods for scoping work, managing resources, identifying potential risks, and making efficiency-driven decisions without sacrificing quality.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about BHDP Architecture and our Workplace market focus?" (Preparation: Research BHDP's portfolio, recent projects, and values. Connect your experience and aspirations to their work.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Key Projects: Choose 3-5 projects that best showcase your lead design experience in the workplace sector.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the client's brief, your conceptual approach, your leadership role, key design decisions and their rationale, how you managed the team and process, and the final outcomes.

• Highlight Operational Aspects: Emphasize how you managed resources, timelines, client expectations, and contributed to the firm's revenue efficiency.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, technical proficiency, leadership style, and how you handle challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: This preparation guide focuses on translating the job description's requirements into specific interview questions and strategies, emphasizing the operational and leadership aspects crucial for a "Lead Designer" role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Designer position at BHDP Architecture:

• Submit your application through the provided link on recruitingbypaycor.com.

• Tailor your resume to highlight your 18+ years of experience, architectural licensure, advanced software proficiencies (Revit, SketchUp, Enscape, Lumion, Adobe CC), and demonstrated leadership in large-scale design projects, particularly within the workplace sector.

• Prepare your portfolio meticulously, focusing on showcasing your lead design role, strategic thinking, client management, and operational efficiency in delivering complex projects. Organize it to tell a compelling story for each selected project.

• Research BHDP Architecture thoroughly, understanding their design philosophy, key projects, company culture, and their commitment to the Workplace market. This will help you articulate your interest and cultural fit.

• Practice your interview responses, particularly for behavioral questions related to leadership, client management, problem-solving, and operational efficiency, using specific examples from your career.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions to provide a comprehensive view. Candidates should verify all details, especially salary expectations and specific role nuances, directly with BHDP Architecture. The AI-derived experience level is a conservative estimate; the explicitly stated requirement is 18+ years.