Architectural Director - Aviation

About the Opportunity

A well-established architecture and design firm is seeking an experienced Architectural Director to lead aviation and industrial projects from its Kansas City Office. This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys developing people, strengthening client relationships, and overseeing the successful delivery of complex projects.

The Architectural Director will supervise a multidisciplinary design team and work closely with executive leadership to ensure operational, financial, and project goals are achieved. The ideal candidate brings significant experience within the architecture and design industry, along with strong leadership, client-management, and project-delivery capabilities.

This position offers a hybrid work environment but requires regular availability for in-office collaboration, client meetings, and project-site visits.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, organize, and manage the division’s daily operations, staffing needs, and project priorities.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop architects, designers, project managers, and other team members.
• Evaluate team and division performance, identifying opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, and project delivery.
• Partner with executive and financial leadership to develop the division’s annual budget and review financial performance monthly.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with aviation and industrial clients.
• Work directly with clients to identify project opportunities and develop appropriate scopes, fees, and proposals.
• Oversee project budgets, schedules, milestones, staffing plans, and overall performance across the division.
• Provide leadership for project coordination and documentation, including collaboration with engineering consultants, vendors, contractors, and other project partners.
• Review specifications and project documentation to ensure accuracy, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead project and client meetings while providing clear direction to internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee project changes, pay applications, invoicing, billing status, and collection activities when necessary.
• Ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled and project-related risks are identified and managed appropriately.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, and consistent quality across the project team.
• Maintain high levels of client satisfaction by understanding client goals and delivering responsive, high-quality results.
• Support the long-term growth and development of both the division and its team members.

The responsibilities listed above are representative and may evolve based on business and project needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, project management, business, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience within the architecture, design, or a closely related industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and overseeing multiple complex projects.
• Strong knowledge of project management and operational best practices.
• Experience managing project budgets, schedules, scopes, contracts, and client relationships.
• Aviation and/or industrial project experience is strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication, leadership, organization, and team-building skills.
• Strong conflict-resolution, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership responsibilities with hands-on project oversight.
• Professional architecture licensure is preferred.

Equivalent combinations of education and relevant professional experience will be considered.