Project Director/Business Development - Architecture

GHD is growing!

Who are we looking for?

GHD’s US West Design Studio is seeking a strategic, relationship‑driven Project Director- Architect who will play a key role in advancing the growth of our architecture practice across all building sectors, with a particular emphasis on Hospitality and Entertainment.  This role will act as a true Seller‑Doer,  focused on both delivery as well as bringing in new work.

Based in our Tustin, CA office, this role blends high‑impact business development with hands-on project involvement—ideal for an entrepreneurial design professional who excels at cultivating clients, winning work, and leading delivery teams.

This is a pivotal role for a motivated architect who thrives in a multidisciplinary environment and is energized by shaping the built environment across a diverse project portfolio.

Our Hybrid Work Model  Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in office, three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers a variety of work and will see you involved in: 

Business Development & Market Leadership

• Build, maintain, and grow client relationships across all target markets—civic, education, commercial, industrial, transportation, infrastructure‑related facilities—while strategically deepening GHD’s presence in Hospitality and Entertainment.
• Lead opportunity identification, positioning, and pursuit strategy for new and existing clients.
• Partner closely with the US West Design Studio leadership to drive growth, revenue targets, and key account development.
• Collaborate with market sector leaders across GHD to coordinate integrated, multidisciplinary offerings.
• Represent the Architecture Design studio and the broader GHD brand at industry events, conferences, and professional organizations.
• Support proposal development, interview strategy, and client presentations.

Project Leadership & Technical Delivery

• Serve as project architect, design lead, or technical advisor for select projects across a broad range of building types.
• Lead conceptual design workshops, visioning sessions, and planning discussions with clients and stakeholders.
• Integrate architectural solutions with engineering, interiors, advisory, and environmental teams for a seamless, multidisciplinary approach.
• Ensure high standards of design quality, documentation, and project execution from concept through construction.
• Mentor emerging design talent and contribute to a collaborative, high-performance studio culture.

Additonal Responsibilities:

• Personal Capability Building: Act as subject matter expert in an area of technology, policy, regulation, or operational management for the team. Maintain external accreditations and in-depth understanding of current and emerging external regulation and industry best practices through continuing professional development, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
• Key Account Management: Ensure quality service and profitable business growth by managing a portfolio of complex customer relationships and/or a small team of account managers.
• Customer Relationship Development / Prospecting: Develop and implement a relationship management plan for strategic, complex potential accounts to build key relationships at local and national levels. Coordinate the engagement of own organization with the customer organization to ensure effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues.
• Customer Needs Clarification: Consult with a range of customer representatives at different levels to identify the outcomes they require, introducing relevant internal specialists and utilizing their expertise to gather and analyze complex customer data, clarify medium- to long-term customer needs, and develop and agree to a specification of customer requirements.
• Sales Opportunities Creation: Develop a personal network of senior managers within the business sector and represent the organization at business sector events. Obtain market intelligence, promote the organization, and enhance its reputation.
• Customer Relationship Management / Account Management: Develop and implement relationship management plans for complex existing customer accounts to identify and build relationships with relevant decision-makers and influencers within the customer organization and to enable effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues. Manage ongoing relationships with identified customer segments to ensure their needs are met, providing themes, summary analyses, and recommendations for changes based on customer input.

Education

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture.
• Architectural licensure in the U.S. (preferred) or active progress toward licensure.

Experience

• 10-15 years of architectural experience, including project involvement in multiple building types.
• Demonstrated success in business development, client management, and work winning.
• Relevant experience in Hospitality and/or Entertainment design—hotels, resorts, restaurants, venues, leisure environments, or themed experiences.
• Strong presentation, communication, and relationship‑building abilities.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.
• Competency with Revit, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, and design communication tools.

As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.

Salary Range: $126,000-$211,000.00 based on experience and location

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