Explore Architectural Director jobs for experienced design leaders ready to shape projects, guide teams, and influence the built environment. Architectural directors oversee design direction and project delivery, balancing creative vision with technical requirements, budgets, schedules, and client goals. Ladders features vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more, helping you find senior roles that match your expertise.
An architectural director provides leadership across a firm, studio, or portfolio of projects. Responsibilities may include setting design standards, developing client relationships, reviewing plans, coordinating with engineering and construction partners, and managing project teams. The role often involves translating organizational goals and client needs into practical, high-quality design outcomes.
Employers commonly seek extensive architectural experience, strong design judgment, and a record of leading complex projects. Depending on the role and jurisdiction, a professional architecture degree, licensure, and knowledge of building codes may be required. Communication, team development, business development, budgeting, and proficiency with design and project-management tools can also be important.
Architectural directors may work at architecture and design firms, real estate or construction organizations, public agencies, and companies with in-house design teams. Opportunities vary by employer and project focus, including commercial, residential, civic, healthcare, and institutional design. Senior professionals can advance into executive, studio leadership, or broader design and development positions.
Search Architectural Director jobs on Ladders to discover vetted roles paying $100,000 or more. Review position requirements, compare opportunities, and pursue leadership work where you can contribute your design expertise and strategic perspective.
$150K - $180K *
Champion the timely and budget-conscious completion of telecommunications construction projects by leading and mentoring a team of managers, optimizing processes, and ensuring peak productivity across...
2 weeks ago
Associate Creative Director, Hybrid
$95K - $105K *
Engage in strategic creative leadership to drive high-quality brand work, develop campaigns, and foster client relationships while supporting the growth of a dynamic creative team in a collaborative e...
4 days ago
$113K - $130K *
Shape the future of infrastructure by leading BIM coordination and digital delivery for multidisciplinary projects. Collaborate with design teams to ensure model accuracy and compliance, while champio...
1 week ago
Lead Engineer, Enterprise Architecture
$120K - $145K *
Elevate enterprise architecture by leading a team to align technology initiatives with business strategy, ensuring innovative solutions and governance while driving high-impact design and implementati...
Today
Lead Engineer, Enterprise Architecture
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in shaping enterprise architecture by aligning technology initiatives with business strategy, guiding a small team, and driving innovative solutions that enhance operational capabiliti...
Today
$80K - $105K *
Grow your career with a dynamic role in structural design, collaborating on innovative projects while developing your skills towards professional licensing. Engage in design, construction support, and...
4 days ago
Senior Director, Data Architecture
$150K - $180K *
Champion enterprise data architecture by establishing standards and a unified data catalog. Collaborate across teams to define metrics and ensure data governance, driving alignment and clarity in a ha...
1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Join a dynamic team to lead innovative interior design projects, mentoring junior designers while managing client relationships and ensuring project success from concept to completion...
4 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead and manage interior design projects, ensuring client satisfaction and design excellence. Collaborate with teams on large-scale projects while mentoring junior designers and maintaining strong cli...
6 days ago
$125K - $150K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering innovative airport projects. As a Project Manager, you'll lead diverse teams, manage budgets, and ensure timely project execution while fostering strong stak...
Reposted today
Associate Director of Creative
$100K - $120K *
Unlock potential by leading creative strategies for live events, ensuring innovative, executable experiences that drive revenue and client satisfaction. Collaborate with teams to elevate event design...
1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Advance your career by leading BIM and design technology efforts on large-scale projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to establish workflows, ensure quality, and implement best practices...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$85K - $95K *
Unlock potential by leveraging expertise to manage media planning and buying, optimize campaigns, and drive effective advertising strategies. Collaborate with teams to enhance processes and ensure tar...
Yesterday
$68K - $102K *
Join a dynamic team as you lead technical production for performing arts, overseeing logistics, managing staff, and ensuring high-quality execution of events. Collaborate with creative teams to bring...
2 weeks ago
$85K - $100K *
Lead and deliver engineering projects while ensuring compliance with cGxP standards. Collaborate with stakeholders to optimize processes and maintain high safety levels in pharmaceutical environments...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead the creative evolution of visual storytelling through innovative designs and infographics, enhancing taxpayer outreach materials and ensuring brand consistency across multiple platforms in a dyna...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Principal Hardware Design Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Drive the design of cutting-edge GPU server infrastructure, optimizing performance and reliability. Collaborate with vendors and teams to shape hardware standards for a rapidly expanding AI platform...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering innovative design-build projects, managing all phases from conception to closeout, and ensuring successful execution of multimillion-dollar initiatives acros...
2 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Elevate your career by leading design-build projects from inception to completion. Drive coordination with multidisciplinary teams, ensure quality control, and manage budgets efficiently to deliver hi...
Reposted 6 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Partner with us to lead complex design-build projects, managing all phases from conception to closeout. Collaborate with teams to ensure safety, quality, and efficiency on projects ranging from $20 mi...
6 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Partner with us to oversee high-value construction projects, managing all phases from concept to closeout. Collaborate with teams to deliver exceptional design-build solutions, ensuring safety, qualit...
Reposted 6 days ago
$90K - $185K *
Help us integrate protective design solutions into diverse projects, ensuring compliance with security standards and collaborating with clients and design teams to achieve specific protective goals ac...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Advance your career by engaging with architects and specifiers to promote innovative building envelope solutions, enhance design specifications, and drive sales in a dynamic field environment while le...
3 weeks ago
$96K - $129K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic healthcare team to lead medical planning projects, ensuring design excellence and client satisfaction while mentoring staff and collaborating with diverse stakeho...
1 week ago
$93K - $124K *
Champion innovative healthcare design by leading complex projects, collaborating with teams, and ensuring client satisfaction while adhering to quality standards and budget goals throughout the design...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
What is an Architectural Director?
An Architectural Director is a senior design leader who guides architectural projects, teams, and standards. The position combines design oversight with project, client, and business responsibilities.
What qualifications are typically needed for Architectural Director jobs?
Requirements vary, but employers often look for substantial architecture experience, a relevant degree, leadership of complex projects, and strong communication and project-management skills. Licensure may be required depending on the employer and jurisdiction.
Where do Architectural Directors work?
Architectural Directors may work for architecture and design firms, construction or real estate companies, public agencies, and organizations with internal design teams.
What is the typical salary for an Architectural Director?
Pay varies by location, employer, experience, and project scope. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including senior architectural leadership opportunities.