Design Studio Lead

JGM Design Studio Lead

Overview The Design Studio Lead is a senior design professional responsible for the creative, strategic, and operational leadership of the design studio. This role oversees design excellence, project delivery, business development, and team performance while ensuring alignment between client vision, brand standards, technical requirements, and construction execution. The Design Studio Lead serves as the primary design liaison between clients, consultants, and project teams, leading multidisciplinary efforts from concept through completion while supporting studio growth through proposal development, client engagement, and market positioning.

• Maintain the master-planned vision while optimizing the efficiency of hospitality, residential, mixed-use, and support facilities.
• Translate client vision, brand standards, and market positioning into innovative, buildable design solutions.
• Provide creative direction throughout all phases of design development.
• Oversee architectural, interior, experiential, and environmental design components from concept through completion.
• Promote innovation, collaboration, and design excellence across all projects.

• Lead and manage daily operations of the design studio across multiple active projects.
• Establish project priorities, staffing plans, schedules, and resource allocation.
• Develop and implement studio processes that improve efficiency, collaboration, and project delivery.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor, coach, and develop architects, designers, coordinators, and project teams.

• Manage the design process across all project phases including concept, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration.
• Oversee multiple projects simultaneously while monitoring budgets, schedules, deliverables, and performance metrics.
• Coordinate internal disciplines including architecture, engineering, construction management, and project controls.
• Coordinate external consultants including landscape architects, lighting designers, FF&E consultants, and specialty designers.
• Ensure design intent is maintained throughout project execution and construction.
• Identify project risks and implement proactive solutions to maintain timelines and profitability.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, ownership groups, brand representatives, and project stakeholders.
• Lead design presentations, workshops, reviews, interviews, and approval meetings.
• Build and maintain long-term client relationships through responsive communication and successful project outcomes.
• Manage client expectations and facilitate informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
• Resolve client concerns professionally and effectively.

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities aligned with JGM's strategic goals.
• Lead proposal development, RFQ/RFP responses, interview preparation, and presentation efforts.
• Collaborate with leadership on project approaches, staffing strategies, fee proposals, and pursuit planning.
• Develop winning strategies for competitive pursuits and client engagements.
• Participate in networking events, industry organizations, and market-facing initiatives to promote studio growth.
• Track industry trends, market opportunities, and competitor activity.

• Ensure all design deliverables meet company standards, client expectations, regulatory requirements, and project specifications.
• Review design documents, presentations, and production materials for quality, consistency, and technical accuracy.
• Conduct interdisciplinary design reviews and proactively resolve conflicts.
• Maintain documentation accuracy and coordination throughout the project lifecycle.

• Collaborate closely with construction management teams to ensure constructability, schedule alignment, and budget compliance.
• Participate in site visits, mock-ups, inspections, and design…