Sr Project Designer

At HOK, we are a collective of future‑forward designers, thinkers, and makers united by a shared ambition: to shape a healthier, more sustainable, and more inspiring built environment. We believe great design emerges from creativity, curiosity, rigorous thinking, and a deep sense of purpose. Our teams thrive at the intersection of art and science where bold ideas meet technical mastery, and where design has the power to improve lives and heal the planet.

We are seeking a Senior Project Designer who shares our passion for design excellence and meaningful impact. This role is ideal for a creative leader who excels at developing strong design concepts, collaborating across disciplines, and guiding teams toward exceptional project outcomes.

What You’ll Do:

As a key member of the project team, the Senior Project Designer:

• Leads overall design direction with guidance from the Design Principal, shaping the conceptual vision for one or more projects from early exploration through design development.
• Develops and advances architectural design concepts, ensuring work reflects HOK’s high standards of innovation, sustainability, and technical rigor.
• Works collaboratively with project architects, managers, and consultants to translate design intent into coordinated construction documents.
• Prepares and delivers compelling design presentations, communicating ideas with clarity and storytelling that inspire clients and stakeholders.
• Coordinates with agencies and regulatory bodies, ensuring alignment between design excellence and compliance requirements.
• Partners closely with the Senior Project Manager and Senior Project Architect to support seamless project delivery, strong team communication, and responsible financial performance.
• Champions sustainable thinking, integrating environmental responsibility as an essential component of design quality

Why You’ll Love Working at HOK

• You’ll join a global community of designers who value curiosity, courage, and craft.
• You’ll have opportunities to work on impactful, mission‑driven projects that make a difference in people’s lives.
• You’ll collaborate with interdisciplinary experts who bring diverse perspectives to every challenge.
• You’ll help shape a culture dedicated to continuous innovation, design excellence, and planetary stewardship.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

• Originates and develops creative design concepts and the design documents during the design development phase.
• Supports the resolution of design solutions during the construction documents and construction administration phases.  May assist with the completion of construction documents.
• Incorporates Integrated Sustainable Design solutions into projects.
• Develops solutions to design problems.
• Oversees design team or less experienced designers to ensure design intent.
• Oversees design team to ensure project is on schedule and within budget.
• Oversees design team in ensuring that documentation for all phases conforms to quality assurance, quality control and best practice standards.
• Mentors and directs the work of less experienced staff, may participate in professional development reviews and “Lessons Learned” sessions.
• Sets up project team software parameters and manages standards.
• Takes personal responsibility for fostering a green workplace through sustainable work practices.
• Fosters a commitment to external and internal client service.

Client Interface

• Regularly communicates with client representatives to verify design requirements and specifications, progress reviews and design delivery.
• Prepare client presentations and presents design concepts and drawings. 

Business Development

• Supports the marketing and business development activities of the office when needed.  

Teamwork

• Provides technical support and project communications to team as required.  
• Attends on-site visits and client meetings to verify design requirements and delivers design progress reviews.
• Provide support to all team members for specific market, discipline, or areas of design expertise.
• Assists Project Manager with defining project work plans.
• Participates in team meetings to ensure the design intent is consistently in adherence.
• Performs as Team Leader on certain projects.
• Leads a small team of less senior designer or technicians in developing solutions to technical and design detail problems following established standards.
• Participates in project reviews regarding project costs, budgets and adherence to schedule.
• Responsible for tracking electronic project data and files.
• Facilitates team internal and external project communications.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture or equivalent in education or experience required.  Master’s degree preferred. 
• 10 plus years design experience preferred
• Licensed Architect with current registration in your region preferred, if licensure is offered in your region.
• NCARB registration preferred.
• LEED accreditation or Green Associate preferred.
• Healthcare experience preferred.

 OTHER:

• Travel may be required.
• Overtime may be required.
• The job duties and requirements that this document describes may be altered or supplemented at any time at the sole discretion of HOK.