Director of Design

JMA Ventures LLC is an industry-leading, forward-thinking, full-service real estate development firm delivering high-quality hospitality, residential, sports and entertainment, and mixed-use projects across the country. We are committed to design excellence, innovation, and strong execution. We are seeking a Director of Design to lead and elevate the design vision across our portfolio while integrating emerging technologies to drive smarter, more efficient delivery. If you are an architect who thrives on innovative design technology and wants to apply it in the real world across a broad range of development projects, this role can unlock the next phase of your career.

The Director of Design will provide leadership over the strategic design direction of active and prospective development projects across the firm. This role oversees design from early concept through construction, ensuring alignment with financial goals, brand positioning, and market demands. The position requires close collaboration with senior leadership, development teams, and external consultants, with an emphasis on innovation and technology integration.

We are looking for a candidate with 5-7+ years of architectural experience and strong BIM and computational design skills to help refine and improve our feasibility, design, and development processes. This role leverages your architectural training while placing you within the development ownership group, giving you the opportunity to influence key decisions on iconic projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and lead the overarching design vision, standards, and quality across the development portfolio
• Oversee and manage architects, designers, and consultants through all design phases
• Ensure alignment between design intent, budget, and project timelines
• Provide leadership input during acquisitions, underwriting, and feasibility analysis
• Champion integration of innovative design tools (e.g., BIM/Revit, Rhino/Grasshopper, visualization, and AI-enabled workflows)
• Produce site and deal feasibility analyses (massing studies, program mixes, constraints) to inform underwriting assumptions, costs, and execution strategies
• Identify risks at a portfolio level and implement strategic solutions
• Collaborate directly with executive leadership, development managers, construction, and operations teams
• Lead high-level stakeholder presentations and key design decision-making processes
• Serve as an internal innovation lead, building a forward-looking design culture within a fast-paced, tight-knit development organization

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of relevant experience in architecture, real estate development, or design leadership
• Ample experience in hospitality, residential, and/or mixed-use development
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, Real Estate Development, or a related field
• Deep understanding of design delivery from concept through construction, including consultant coordination and documentation
• Proven experience managing mid-to-scale projects and leading design teams
• Strong familiarity with BIM (Revit), visualization tools, and advanced design software
• Demonstrates strong interest and leadership in emerging technologies and innovation