Lead Wayfinding Designer
Los Angeles
Full-time
You will work with our Los Angeles team to oversee and manage a major new wayfinding design program.
We are a multi-disciplinary team of strategists and designers with a global reputation for improving the experience of cities, transit systems, airports, and destinations. This is a new role with scope to lead and contribute to many high-profile and innovative projects.
We are in the early stages of establishing a permanent presence in Los Angeles having developed opportunities in the area over recent years. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and diligent candidate, with proven project management skills and a good understanding of complex design programs. The successful applicant will be embedded into a new project at LAX, providing exciting opportunities to shape its direction.
Key responsibilities
Provide a main point of contact for the client team
Develop and build client relationships
Liaise with sub-consultants and collaborators
Report to and collaborate with UK and U.S. Management Team
Monitor project status, risks, schedule, and reporting processes
Manage program budgets and deadlines
Evolve effective working processes
Conduct and/or support client meetings and workshops
Champion systems thinking, system design principles, and design quality
Evolve new projects and areas of service
Delegate to and oversee Designers on the project
Present project updates to internal teams and project collaborators
About the role
We are seeking an experienced, dedicated, and self-motivated Project Lead with 8+ years of industry experience to join our team in Los Angeles.
In particular, we would like to meet candidates who have experience in the development, management, and/or delivery of complex, user-centered design projects. Experience of working in aviation, or similarly complex environments is advantageous.
Working closely alongside our existing team in LA, you will become our day-to-day lead on LAX’s Enhanced Wayfinding Initiative under the direction of our Management Team in the U.S. & UK. You will work with a growing team of designers based in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and the UK. Your design experience and skills will ensure clear communication with the client team and help direct effective working processes, resulting in exemplary design outputs.
Project responsibilities
Provide strategic direction and guidance to the project team
Lead on key aspects of the project: from research, ideation, and conceptualization, to detailed design, planning, and implementation
Initiate and conduct necessary client meetings and workshops
Initiate and conduct necessary site surveys and on-site analysis
Oversee the development and visualization of design concepts
Oversee and support system design and planning activities
Support narrative development for presentations, documentation, and other project outputs
Support user research, testing, and prototyping activities
Provide quality assurance and approvals for draft and final outputs
Present project updates to clients and project collaborators, including engineers, architects, designers and fabricators
What we are looking for
A creative and pragmatic thinker, capable of generating ideas, conducting research, developing propositions, and interacting effectively with the wider team
Degree level qualification/s in Design, Urban Planning, Change Management, Project Management, or other related field
A thorough understanding of Systems Design
A clear communicator with strong spoken and written communication skills
An organized planner with an understanding of the design process who can anticipate, recognize, and capture project progress and disseminate relevant information to different audiences
A self-motivated team player who can work efficiently remotely or in a studio
8+ years professional experience
Highly proficient with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft365
What we can offer you
Salary range of $130–$155k, tailored to experience
Opportunities for ongoing professional development and progression
Hybrid working culture with a minimum of three days per week at our LA project office
37.5 hour working week (minimum)
15 days annual leave + 1 additional day for every year to a maximum of 20 days
8 U.S. public holidays
40 hours of paid sick leave – accrual method in line with California State Law
Platinum-level health cover
401(k) retirement plan
Access to ongoing professional development
Casual smart dress is business as usual
Apple laptop for remote and studio use
Management responsibilities
Conduct weekly project management meetings with the client team
Update project management tools such as schedules, resource allocation, and forecasts
Report weekly to Senior Management Team
Track project hours and collate time sheets for invoicing
Prepare and issue monthly invoices
To apply
Please email a Cover Letter, resume, and portfolio
(if applicable) to info@cityid.com with Lead Wayfinding Designer, Los Angeles as the subject.
We look forward to hearing from you.
City ID is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to ensuring all employees and qualified applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. If you are interested but unsure if you have what we are looking for please contact us.