Director of Higher Education | Senior Designer

TowerPinkster is an innovative architecture, engineering, and interior design firm based in the Midwest with offices in Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky. This position description is for a talented leader and senior designer (architect, interior designer, planner, or landscape architect) for the Higher Education market sector to plan, cultivate, lead, and grow the vision for business development and client relations, and design expertise in this sector. This position includes identifying and developing client and community contacts with long-term impact for the future success of the firm. It is also to listen and collaborate with clients to develop planning, programming, and/or design concepts that bring creativity and innovation. The candidate will have a strong ability to work with and mentor younger designers and provide insights and guidance to the design team. Areas of design specialty will be higher education and as a diverse practice will include any of TowerPinkster’s five core market sectors, as well as any advanced certifications or training. This position favors an experienced, strategic professional with drive, initiative, and strong interpersonal skills with the desire to work in a collaborative environment with our team.

Responsibilities include positioning the firm to cultivate opportunities, lead and respond to requests for proposals, and direct pursuits with clients to remain competitive in the market and enhance our current market practice. It also includes collaborating to develop a strategic business development and marketing plan that guides the Higher Education market to consistently meet and exceed the Firm’s established financial goals. This role also includes developing and growing your professional network and capabilities to ensure maximum effectiveness and enhancement of client satisfaction. In addition, we promote collaborating with team members who have talent and expertise to enhance relationships with current and future clients.

Given the role and responsibilities of this position, the intent is to split time between business development activities and additional responsibilities in the firm, which may include project planning, programming, design, project management, or other key roles depending on skills and expertise of the individual.

Position responsibilities + EXPECTATIONS

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Lead business development efforts in the Higher Education market sector and participate in other sectors based on past and current relationships and business network.
• Dedicate time each week to active business development tasks (calls, prospective client meetings, potential project pursuits, community events, etc), which shall include after-hours events.
• Develop letter proposals and work with the Business Development and Marketing teams to lead development of RFQ/P proposal responses for various project pursuits, which include content development. Lead and provide strategy and direction for interview presentations, as required.
• Identify annual sales capture within the market sector and set annual sales goals for the market.
• Author the market plan for the Higher Education market sector, including project pursuits, advancing expertise, strengthening our reputation in sector, and defining advertisements / sponsorships / PR opportunities. Develop and manage the market sector budget including related labor and expenses.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with current/past clients, various higher education institutions (public Universities, Community Colleges, Private Colleges) and other related organizations, and other higher education organizations in our geographic markets.
• Identify potential community engagement opportunities to enhance your profile in the community.
• Update marketing contacts weekly and attend Business Development meetings and others as needed.
• Strive to be a higher education expert and create content for publication on blog, website, newsletter, and/or other media platforms. Participate in speaking engagements and writing articles that promote the Firm as an industry expert in the market sector.
• Mentor/develop other team members in business development roles and activities.
• Attend industry/market sector conferences for professional growth, networking, and promotion of our services.
• Develop white papers, speaking engagements and web content to support Higher Education expertise.
• Report to the Director of Business Development on the Higher Education market sector activities and interface with the Manager of Marketing + Communications on various initiatives to advance the reputation of the market sector.

DESIGN + ENGAGEMENT
Client and Professional Based

• Work in other roles within a project team, which may consist of client management, planning, programming, concept design, quality control, project management, and/or key skills that result in successful projects and satisfied clients.
• Client management of relationships for project specific work and/or to maintain client satisfaction with various client contacts. Oversee client satisfaction feedback.
• Mentor design team members and promote learning opportunities.
• Coordinate with Design Department leadership to delegate work assignments for growth, matching responsibility to individuals and providing mentorship and coaching.
• Work independently and report to a Design Supervisor in Grand Rapids for reviews and resources.
• Set overall project expectations and monitor activities and progress of the project.

Design Based

• Lead medium to large size project design and project teams (25,000sf to 200,000+sf).
• Lead the project programming phase to understand client needs and desires.
• Develop design concepts (architecture, interior design, master planning, or landscape architecture) through an iterative process and lead discussions during concept design to refine ideas and gain client approval.
• Interpret, organize, and coordinate design assignments for the team while executing client vision.
• Plan and develop design projects with high complexities.
• Research and implement sustainable design approaches into project solutions.

Technical Focused

• Lead e xploration of subject areas, definition of scope, selection and development of concepts and building systems appropriate to client desires.
• Create design elements, design coordination, renderings and graphics utilizing strength of design department.
• Lead material definition, system design of envelope, and interior character while coordinating with the Interior Designer.
• Lead code, zoning, and municipality research to ensure compliance with requirements.
• Author the Design Statement, Schematic Design Narrative , and support the development of outline specifications.
• Support role in project coordination and document development (all phases).

Position qualifications
The items listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and abilities that enable success in this role. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Comprehensive understanding of the business development role of an architecture and engineering firm, and strategies for proactive pursuits of clients and projects.
• Proficient with establishing project fees, project schedules, and work plans.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, team collaboration, organization, and time management skills.
• Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, stakeholders, and the general public and represent the Firm positively in the community.
• Strong background and success with project and people management.
• Ability to interact positively and professionally with clients, team members, and partners.
• Will likely spend time in our various office locations - Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, New Albany/Louisville, and possible future location(s).
• Periodic travel for client meetings, business development, and conferences.
• Participation in professional organization memberships, meetings and conferences.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Licensed Architect, Certified Interior Designer, Certified Master Planner, or Licensed Landscape Architect with a minimum of 15 years’ experience.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree from an accredited program.
• Experience with Business Development and Proposal generation.
• Experience with managing and maintaining positive client relationships.
• Experience with all phases of project development; including studies, programming, concept development through construction administration.
• Experience with various project delivery methods (CM, GC, Design-Build, Design-Assist, IPD, etc.).
• Ability to sketch and draw by hand and create computer generated 3D graphics.
• Strong design sensibilities and leadership in early phases of project development.
• Dynamic graphic presentations and design and communication skills.
• Command of constructability and material selections that relate to design expression.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, and Project.
• Knowledge of Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.
• Knowledge of Google Workspace, including Slides, Docs, Sheets, Forms, Calendar, etc.
• LEED, WELL or LFA accreditation preferred.
• Solid foundational knowledge of health and safety codes.

WHAT WE OFFER
We take a holistic approach to ensure the wellbeing of our team members. TowerPinkster is proud to support its team members with a robust compensation and benefits package, which includes:

• Industry-leading compensation package - paid overtime, performance bonuses, and profit sharing.
• National award-winning culture and a supportive work environment that empowers employees to stay healthy, fulfill their interests and passions, and balance work and life goals.
• A collaborative work environment along with many culture connection events.
• Flexible work hours with a Work-Life Balance program providing six additional days off per year, and a healthy Paid Time Off program. Paid community service hours.
• A comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k), life insurance, short term and long-term disability benefits.
• Annual team training and professional development opportunities.
• The opportunity to reach your career goals with an award-winning Firm. We highly encourage licensure, certification and professional organization memberships which are Firm paid.
• Continuing educational opportunities and tuition reimbursement program.
• Firm paid life and wellness coach for individuals and families in partnership with Ulliance.
• Culture and wellness programs include fitness challenges, book clubs, in-office massages, medication and more. Our Taking Shape Wellness program offers incentives up to $400 annually.

TowerPinkster is a firm of architects, engineers, and interior designers committed to design integrity, quality, and environmental responsibility. Our doors opened in 1953 with just six people, and now we have more than 230 of the best employees in Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky. At our firm, it’s our people who make us different. We have the freedom to explore new ideas, the tools to create innovative strategies, and the talent to inspire our clients through interactive design. Our expertise and collaborative, client-centered approach means the best ideas rise to the top.

We strive to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture that empowers each person to be their genuine self. We are committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. For more than 70 years, we have made significant contributions to our communities through our commitment to quality, sustainability, and equitable design.

TowerPinkster received the 2025 National 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for Award and the 2025 Best Firm Award from Zweig Group. We are proud of this achievement and are thankful for our client relationships, our generous communities, and all the employees who contribute to our exciting and creative culture! Our supportive work environment helps employees reach their career goals, and we have fun doing it!

. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.