Architectural Director of Design

Westside BuildSanta Monica, California

$130,000 - $170,000 / year

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Overview

Schedule

Full-time

Career level

Executive

Remote

Hybrid remote

Compensation

$130,000-$170,000/year

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Job Description

Description

Westside Design, in partnership with Westside Build, is a Santa Monica–based design and construction firm rebuilding homes across the Pacific Palisades in the wake of the wildfire. We bring architecture, design, and construction under one roof, with a strong emphasis on technology, speed, and craft.

We are seeking a Director of Design to lead the design vision across our growing portfolio of custom single-family homes, ADUs, and residential rebuilds. This is a senior leadership role spanning concept design, schematic design, and client management. Ideal for someone energized by building a design culture and team from the ground up at an early-stage, fast-moving company.

The Director of Design will directly lead our Project Managers and Project Architects, who are responsible for BIM model development, construction documentation, and permit-ready deliverables in Revit. You will set the design intent and quality bar that the team documents and executes against, review their work at key milestones, and serve as the design authority they escalate to on coordination, code, and client-facing design decisions.

Role Summary

The Director of Design is a licensed architect with a thorough command of architectural practice who develops firm-wide design standards and leads the design department. The role oversees design presentations, monitors design development across all projects, and provides the direction and support needed to ensure consistent, high-quality design firm-wide. A deep working knowledge of design, building materials, construction methods, the integration of engineering disciplines, and building costs and codes is essential.

Requirements

Design Leadership

Lead and maintain the design vision and quality across all active projects, from concept through construction documentation.Set and uphold design standards, detailing conventions, and material and finish direction.

Review and approve design at each milestone before projects advance.Lead client presentations and serve as the senior design voice in client relationships, balancing vision with budget, schedule, and code realities.

Partner with the Managing Principal on overall studio direction, design culture, and the firm’s positioning in the Palisades rebuild and the broader LA residential market.

Leading the Project Team

Translate design intent into clear direction the team can execute, and serve as the point of escalation when design questions arise during documentation, consultant coordination, or construction administration.

Review team-led QA/QC on drawings and models before permit submission, ensuring design intent is preserved through to construction-ready sets.Support the team in resolving design-related clashes surfaced through coordination with structural, MEP, and civil consultants.

Help develop and refine office-wide design and documentation standards alongside the Managing Principal, and ensure the team is equipped to deploy them consistently.

Client Relationships

Build relationships with clients early and serve as the steady design voice they turn to as their project moves from first sketches into permitted construction documents.

Translate each client’s goals, taste, and lifestyle into a clear design direction, and keep that vision intact as the project passes through engineering coordination, code review, and value engineering.Be the calm, confident presence in difficult conversations, budget tradeoffs, schedule pressure, and site surprises, keeping the focus on the client’s original intent.

Process & Delivery

Help define how design technology is used to improve design quality and speed across projects.Participate in jobsite visits as needed to confirm that design intent is being realized in the field.

Contribute to scheduling and resourcing decisions that affect design quality and delivery timelines.

Required Qualifications

Professional architecture degree (B.Arch and/or M.Arch); licensed architect in California.

15+ years of professional architectural experience, including significant time focused on residential architecture (custom single-family homes, ADUs, and/or rebuilds).Demonstrated experience leading design on residential projects from concept through construction, including managing or mentoring project managers, project architects, or designers.

Strong working knowledge of BIM workflows in Revit—enough to direct and review the documentation work of the team, even if you are not modeling day-to-day.Strong understanding of residential construction methods, detailing, and constructability.

Experience producing or overseeing permit-ready residential construction document sets and supporting permitting in LA County.Excellent client-facing communication and presentation skills.

Authorized to work in the United States.Willing and able to perform as-needed on-site jobsite visits.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience in a design leadership role (Design Director, Director of Design, Principal, or Design Principal) at an architecture or integrated design-build firm.Proficiency with Bluebeam and Procore.

Experience working on rebuild or disaster-recovery housing.

Who You’ll Lead

You will be the direct manager and design escalation point for the firm’s Project Managers and Project Architects—the staff who lead BIM model development, produce permit-ready construction documentation, coordinate consultants, run QA/QC, and mentor junior staff on their own projects. Your job is to give them clear design direction, unblock design decisions quickly, and review their work at the key milestones.

Benefits

Benefits

Hybrid work schedule: four days in-office, one day remote.

Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision).Paid time off and holidays.

Professional development opportunities.A collaborative, innovative work environment with a supportive culture focused on mentorship and growth.A rare opportunity to shape the design leadership and culture of a company from the start, while doing meaningful work rebuilding a community.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience and scope of leadership responsibility. The salary range for this role is $130,000–$170,000.

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FAQs About Architectural Director of Design Jobs at Westside Build

What is the work location for this position at Westside Build?

This job at Westside Build is located in Santa Monica, California, according to the details provided by the employer. Some roles may also include multiple work locations depending on the requirement.

What pay range can candidates expect for this role at Westside Build?

Candidates can expect a pay range of $130,000 and $170,000 per year.

What employment applies to this position at Westside Build?

Westside Build lists this role as a Full-time position.

What experience level is required for this role at Westside Build?

Westside Build is looking for a candidate with "Executive" experience level.

What benefits are offered by Westside Build for this role?

Westside Build offers following benefits: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation, Career Development, and Health & Wellness Programs for this position. Actual benefits may vary depending on the employer's policies and employment terms.

What is the process to apply for this position at Westside Build?

You can apply for this role at Westside Build either through Sonara's automated application system, which helps you submit applications 10X faster with minimal effort, or by applying manually using the direct link on the job page.