Studio Director, Experiential Graphic Design

Studio Director, Experiential Graphic Design
New York, NY (on-site) | Full-time | $150,000 to $180,000 per year plus bonus and equity

About the Role

An established experiential design firm specializing in wayfinding, signage, and branded environments is hiring a Studio Director to lead its New York studio. The firm delivers large, complex built-environment projects across healthcare, transportation, higher education, corporate, and mixed-use development.

This is a billable, hands-on leadership role. You run the studio and you direct projects. You own the office P&L, grow the client base, build the team, and stay directly involved in the work through project managers, creative managers, and coordinators.

The studio is roughly 15 people, backed by institutional capital, with a clear growth plan for the New York market.

Responsibilities

Studio P&L

• Own the New York studio P&L, including revenue and margin targets
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning
• Protect project margins through active forecasting and scope management
• Support billing accuracy and accounts receivable collections
• Negotiate contract and scope changes affecting schedule, deliverables, and budget

Project Delivery and Operations

• Meet personal and team utilization targets
• Hold the studio to consistent project management standards and delivery accountability
• Improve delivery workflows, team structure, and governance as the studio scales
• Identify and mitigate project risk
• Oversee project budgets, schedules, and quality of deliverables from concept through post-construction

Business Development

• Drive organic revenue growth through client retention, expanded scope, and new services
• Pursue new opportunities in target sectors alongside the business development team
• Build and maintain senior-level client relationships with architects, developers, institutions, and owners
• Represent the firm in the market through outreach, industry presence, and travel
• Support proposal development and pursuit strategy

Team Leadership

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing studio team
• Own people management for the studio, including reviews and development planning
• Set the culture that attracts and retains design and delivery talent
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning across the broader firm

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of a design studio, office, or business unit in environmental graphic design, experiential graphic design, wayfinding, architecture, or a related design discipline
• Demonstrated ownership of a studio or office P&L with a record of hitting revenue and margin targets
• Minimum 6 years as a Design Director, Project Director, or equivalent on large, complex built-environment projects
• Direct experience in wayfinding, signage programs, branded environments, exhibit design, or retail design, from concept through construction administration
• Portfolio of projects delivered in the past 5 years as a Project Manager, Design Manager, or Project Director
• Established senior-level client relationships and a track record of winning repeat work
• Familiarity with ADA signage standards and construction documentation
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and communication skills
• PMP designation is a plus

Why This Role

This is an entrepreneurial seat with real autonomy. You are not managing someone else’s plan. You set the direction for the New York studio, decide how it grows, and share in the outcome. There is an established global platform and reputation behind you, and the capital to invest in this market.

Pay: $150,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person