Wayfinding Design & Planning Manager

GAI Consultants Inc. seeks an experienced Wayfinding Planner or Architect with interior / exterior signage experience to support and lead projects within our Experiential Graphics Wayfinding Practice. This position is part of our Community Solutions Group a multidisciplinary practice that integrates Landscape Architecture Urban Planning Redevelopment Economics and Experiential Graphic Design to create memorable and functional places.

Our portfolio includes Academic and Healthcare Campuses Downtowns and Urban Districts Parks Mixed-Use Developments and other public realm environments. We are seeking a motivated professional with 5-8 years of experience who can contribute as a designer and experience in project manager leading client engagements managing project budgets preparing fee proposals and overseeing project delivery from concept through implementation.

This position is eligible for our flexible hybrid work schedule and a sign-on bonus.

Description/Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning design and implementation of wayfinding systems environmental graphics interpretive signage placemaking and branded experiences.
• Develop creative and innovative design solutions that align with project goals user needs and client branding standards.
• Create visually compelling wayfinding maps signage programs environmental graphics and presentation materials.
• Produce design concepts mockups technical documentation specifications and design guidelines.
• Conduct site assessments and analyze existing wayfinding conditions to identify challenges and opportunities.
• Collaborate with architects landscape architects planners and other disciplines to integrate wayfinding and experiential graphics into broader projects.
• Maintain proficiency with industry tools and emerging technologies related to experiential graphic design and wayfinding.
• Manage the design documentation and implementation of comprehensive interior and exterior wayfinding and signage programs ensuring all signage systems meet ADA tactile and braille accessibility life-safety and applicable municipal sign code requirements while maintaining project branding and user experience objectives.

Project Management & Client Leadership

• Serve as a project manager or task manager for wayfinding and experiential graphic design assignments.
• Manage project scope schedules budgets and deliverables to ensure successful project execution and profitability.
• Lead client meetings workshops stakeholder engagement sessions and design presentations.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships while serving as a trusted advisor throughout project development.
• Coordinate internal project teams and external consultants to ensure seamless execution of project objectives.
• Monitor project financial performance and proactively manage budgets staffing and resources.

Business Development & Proposal Support

• Prepare scopes of work fee proposals and project budgets for new and existing clients.
• Support business development efforts through client relationship management networking and participation in industry events.
• Assist in identifying new project opportunities and expanding existing client relationships.
• Contribute to marketing materials project pursuits and interview presentations.
• Support the development and refinement of practice standards design guidelines and best practices.

Team Collaboration

• Mentor junior designers and support their professional development.
• Participate in design critiques brainstorming sessions and interdisciplinary project reviews.
• Foster a collaborative creative and client-focused project environment.
• Stay current with industry trends best practices accessibility requirements and emerging technologies in experiential graphic design and wayfinding.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Architecture Industrial Design Graphic Design or a related field.
• 5-8 years of professional experience in wayfinding design experiential graphic design environmental graphic design branding placemaking or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects client relationships project budgets schedules and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience developing fee proposals scopes of work project work plans and project budgets.
• Proven ability to lead client presentations stakeholder meetings and project workshops.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator Photoshop InDesign) and other relevant design software.
• Strong understanding of typography color theory visual hierarchy environmental graphics and design principles.
• Knowledge of ADA guidelines accessibility requirements and universal design principles.
• Experience with ArcGIS software is highly desirable particularly for location-based design mapping and wayfinding applications.
• Experience with Revit and 3D visualization rendering software motion graphics web design or digital interactive media is a plus.
• Excellent verbal written and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience coordinating vendors fabricators installers and consultants is preferred.
• A portfolio demonstrating successful experiential graphic wayfinding environmental branding and signage projects is required.

Why GAI

GAI offers an exceptional place to do meaningful work grow your career and make a real impact in communities nationwide. Youll join a collaborative multidisciplinary firm bringing together engineering planning and environmental expertise to deliver projects across transportation infrastructure power and energy markets. Working alongside accomplished colleagues youll help move projects from vision through construction creating solutions that keep people moving power essential systems and support responsible development.

At GAI youll work in a team-driven environment grounded in integrity respect and shared success with the flexibility resources and career support that reflect a real and lasting commitment to our people. That commitment includes comprehensive benefits wellness programs and employee discounts. With opportunities across the U.S. GAI offers the collaboration and client focus of regional teams supported by the stability resources and career-development opportunities of an established and growing firm.

Benefits To Working at GAI Include:ââ

Competitive Pay & Recognition

• Marketbased competitive compensation
• Performancedriven recognition and development bonuses

Comprehensive Health & Wellness

• Medical dental and vision plans
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources

Meaningful WorkLife Balance

• Generous paid time off 7 paid holidays
• Anadditionalfloating holidayuse it for what matters to you
• Paid maternity paternity and adoption leave

Growth Learning & Financial Security

• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Support and rewards for professional development and certifications

#GAI

Required Experience:

Manager