Director, Architecture

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Act as the primary architectural representative of Discovery Creative for designated high-end residential, private club, and mixed-use projects from acquisition to completion.

• Engage in acquisition and underwriting processes to align programming, vision, and business assumptions.

• Create land plan concepts, overarching architectural ideas, test fits, and programming analyses.

• Define architectural direction, including massing, character, material choices, and the relationship between buildings and their site.

• Oversee architectural design for clubhouses, amenity and golf structures, residences, and mixed-use elements.

• Conduct architectural peer reviews during the Discovery Creative review process and offer insights at crucial milestones.

• Ensure that the design intent is maintained throughout all phases of design and development.

• Provide guidance on the selection of design architects, architects of record, and project design leadership.

• Prepare scopes and RFPs, assess fee proposals, and assist in negotiation of agreements.

• Develop and uphold architectural principles, standards, and guidelines.

• Collaborate with Development, Sales and Marketing, Operations, and Construction teams.

• Assist in amenity programming, sales center design, launch strategies, and value engineering decisions.

• Support projects through zoning, planning, architectural, and community design review processes.

• Coordinate with interiors, landscape, golf, land planning, and procurement leaders.

• Present design recommendations to executive leadership, development teams, investors, and project collaborators.

• Manage and mentor design staff while contributing to the growth of the internal architecture team.

• Document lessons learned and contribute to the establishment of repeatable standards.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 10 years of experience in architecture focused on luxury projects, including more than 4 years on the owner, developer, or advisory side.

• Experience with private club, resort residential, hospitality, or master-planned projects, encompassing horizontal development.

• Proven experience in directing and critiquing work by internationally recognized architects and design teams.

• Strong skills in conceptual design, including massing, test fits, and sketching.

• Knowledge of club operations, both front and back of house, and their influence on design and programming.

• Solid grasp of how design impacts pricing, absorption, and the buyer experience.

• Working familiarity with construction, cost management, zoning, and offering plan requirements.

• Exceptional aesthetic judgment paired with commercial discipline.

• Proficient presenter and communicator with internal leadership, consultants, and brand partners.

• Degree in architecture, interior design, or a related field; licensure is an advantage.

• Willingness to travel frequently.

• Adaptability and eagerness to engage in new projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Positive outlook, professional demeanor, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills to provide exceptional service to members, guests, and team members.

• Ability to thrive in a team-oriented environment.

• Capacity to remain calm and focused during peak times.

• Proficient in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English; additional languages are a plus.

• Must be able to accommodate flexible work hours/schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• Capability to meet the physical demands of the role, including working indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions, standing, walking, and moving for periods exceeding eight (8) hours, and lifting and carrying items occasionally over fifty (50) pounds.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits

• 401k Contribution

• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays

• Employee Meals, Referral Incentives, and Recognition Programs

• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement

• Family-oriented workplace culture

• Bonus