Residential Design Project Lead

Position Summary

The Residential Design Project Lead is a professional project leadership role responsible for the successful execution, coordination, and delivery of residential design projects. This position serves as the primary owner of assigned projects and workstreams, ensuring design quality, schedule performance, documentation accuracy, and adherence to client requirements and firm standards.

Residential Design Project Leads may be assigned to either the Business Unit or Operations Unit based on organizational needs. While reporting relationships, client interaction, and day-to-day priorities may vary, Project Leads are consistently accountable for project execution, technical coordination, quality assurance, and successful project delivery.

The Residential Design Project Lead works collaboratively with Residential Design Associates, Specialists, Production Managers, and Senior Project Leads to ensure projects are delivered accurately, efficiently, and in alignment with approved design intent. This role requires strong technical judgment, project ownership, and leadership capabilities while serving as a key step in the professional career path toward Senior Project Lead responsibilities.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Project Execution & Ownership

Own assigned residential design projects or defined workstreams from kickoff through completed design deliverables.Plan, coordinate, and execute project schedules, milestones, and deliverables to support successful project outcomes.Coordinate project activities across Associates, Specialists, Production Managers, and other project resources to ensure delivery commitments are achieved.Monitor project progress and proactively address schedule, coordination, or execution challenges.Ensure design packages are complete, coordinated, accurate, and ready for review and delivery.Client & External CoordinationDepending on organizational assignment, serve as a primary technical point of contact for clients, trade partners, AHJs, and other external stakeholders.Participate in client meetings to discuss project scope, design intent, technical requirements, and project status.Ensure assigned work aligns with client specifications, project requirements, and approved design standards.Support external communication related to project execution and design coordination.

Design Quality & Documentation

Maintain accountability for the accuracy, quality, and coordination of assigned design deliverables.Ensure compliance with approved firm standards, templates, product systems, and technical requirements.Perform self-checks and intermediate reviews prior to senior-level quality control reviews.Exercise independent technical judgment while ensuring compliance with approved design standards, client requirements, and project objectives.Identify and resolve execution-level issues before escalation.

Product Development & Technical Contribution

Support residential product development initiatives through project-based insight, testing, implementation, and execution of approved design solutions.Perform and coordinate Schematic Design (SD) and Design Development (DD) activities as assigned.Support the translation of approved design intent into coordinated design documentation.Apply approved product systems and technical content consistently across projects.Provide feedback regarding constructability, usability, documentation clarity, and execution challenges encountered during project delivery.

Team Coordination & Development

Collaborate effectively with Project Leads, Associates, Specialists, Production Managers, and senior leadership.Support the development of Residential Design Associates through coaching, technical guidance, and project-based mentorship.Escalate risks, schedule concerns, technical challenges, and resource needs appropriately.Promote collaboration, accountability, and adherence to firm standards across project teams.

Process Improvement & Operational Discipline

Utilize firm-standard software, tools, workflows, and documentation procedures consistently.Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, consistency, and project execution.Maintain compliance with established project handoff, review, and documentation standards.Performs other duties as assigned.