Director of Healthcare Design

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm.  We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration.  Together we can achieve great things.

Success at SOM Means

• Ideas:  We believe in a meritocracy of ideas.  We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm.  
• Knowledge:  We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning.  We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge.
• Product:  We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work.
• Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work.  Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm.
• Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration.  A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential.
• Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.

Position Summary

The Director of Healthcare Design, based in Chicago or San Francisco, has responsibility for design leadership on complex Health facility design and execution.  They will partner with technical and management leadership, along with numerous consultants and external experts to ensure successful execution of existing projects, participate in networking and new business development for future design endeavors, along with mentoring and developing a team of future Healthcare practice design professionals.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and design expertise in all phases of work on state-of-the-art flagship medical institutions, in partnership with design and planning teams.
• Lead master planning efforts for Health and Academic facilities.
• Collaborate with business development teams at SOM and externally to identify important teaming opportunities for projects and pursuits.
• Contribute to marketing and business development pursuits.
• Identify top healthcare design talent internally and externally; support training and mentoring in areas of expertise.
• Establishes the design direction and innovation(s) and furthers the development of architectural projects through all phases that are consistent with the scope of work and goals of the firm. Integrates criteria and input from all disciplines into design solutions.
• Establishes, communicates, and maintains standards of quality for design and work products for the full internal and external team.
• Possesses a strong understanding of the local parameters and criteria for the project, including relevant local codes. Oversees the design, programmatic, contextual, and cultural research and analysis required for the project.
• Oversees team in selection and assessment of materials and finishes for the project.
• Oversees design documentation including but not limited to drawings, sketches, physical models, renderings, and animations for regular internal and external meetings and milestone deliverables. Design documentation should be consistent with firm standards for the publication and presentation of work.
• Finalizes a comprehensive design narrative for the project that will inform the client and other disciplines about the design intent, as well as contribute to publications and business development initiatives. Supports the production of the technical specifications for the project.
• Communicates the design goals to the project team on a regular basis.
• Fosters lasting and positive relationships with clients, the design community, and important government agencies (i.e. planning departments, commissions, and advocacy groups).
• Assists the Project Manager in establishing project budgets, schedules, and work plans.
• Supports the team’s construction phase services scope including making periodic site visits to monitor construction progress and identifying areas needing correction and/or modification; attending visual mockup review; and assisting the Technical Designer in reviewing shop drawings for design intent.
• Attends and presents in owner/architect design meetings. Reviews and approves meeting minutes.
• Attends and facilitates weekly internal project team meetings. Together with Project Manager, Technical Designer, and/or Project Architect, develops the meeting agenda and project status update.
• Works with OT, Marketing, and Records Management to archive all final and preferred drawings, renderings, and photos for future use.
• Actively participates in and leads local and firm-wide Design Review Meetings and makes meaningful contributions to the advancement of activities led by these groups.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Actively leads multiple projects, teams, and initiatives.
• Established as a firmwide resource in an area of expertise for market, discipline, or department.
• Directly trains and mentors team members and, more broadly, architectural, engineers, interiors, planning and graphics staff in the office and at large as appropriate.
• Develops and engages in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm through resume review, interviews, and leveraging personal network.
• Demonstrates leadership in the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge. Advocates for sustainable approaches at an office-wide scale.
• Creates and drives new ways of working through contributing to the development of services, standards, procedures.  
• Responsible for financial and legal risk management of projects.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a professional degree in Architecture or a related field.  
• Licensed in state of practice; LEED or other green building accreditation preferred.
• Clinical medical experience preferred, such as MD, RN, BSN; and experience working with owners/operators.
• Minimum 12 years of experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities; specifically in healthcare design & planning.
• Distinct experience in designing state-of-the-art healthcare facilities.
• Strong understanding of sustainable strategies and principles including familiarity with LEED or other green building rating systems.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.

Our Benefits:

• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance
• Savings: 401K matching, pre-tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs
• Work/Life Balance: Inquire about our hybrid/flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program
• Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in-house career development

Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $150,000 to $200,000.

Our Culture

Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm.

We believe an inclusive environment improves our teams, our firm, and our communities and are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our DEI Action Plan was created to bring meaningful change to our profession, starting with our own culture and practices.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM's employment policy and how to apply offline: www.som.com/employment_opportunities_and_policy

For more about SOM: www.som.com

Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed.  Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.